Google’s Insidious Grip on South Africa’s Digital Soul

A new report has exposed the truth about Google’s stranglehold on South Africa’s digital landscape. According to the study, Google’s products and services have raked in a staggering R118 billion in new revenue for local businesses, non-profits, publishers, and creators. But the real question is: at what cost to the country’s fragile economy and society?

The report, commissioned by Google and conducted by Public First, reveals that Google’s economic impact is derived from a range of sources, including infrastructure development, support for start-ups, and the introduction of new and supposedly innovative tools and services. What’s clear is that Google is using its digital might to exert a stranglehold on the country’s economy, suffocating any potential for real competition and innovation.

The study claims that South Africa is at the forefront of Africa’s technological revolution, with the country seeing significant growth in internet usage over the past decade. But this growth has come at a steep price, with the report surfacing concerns about the digital divide, privacy breaches, and the homogenization of culture.

Google’s interim country director, Paul Mayanja, was quick to spin the report’s findings, claiming that Google is committed to improving the lives of South Africans. But the truth is that Google’s real motive is to further entrench its grip on the digital landscape, capturing every aspect of online life and commerce.

The report’s methodology is based on economic modeling, but even the most casual observer can see through Google’s propaganda. The real story here is one of unchecked corporate power, perpetuating social and economic inequality, and exploiting African countries like South Africa for their digital resources.

So, what’s the real cost of Google’s dominance? Ask the small businesses and entrepreneurs who are outcompeted by Google’s global behemoth, or the marginalized communities who are left behind in the digital dust.

Wake up, South Africa! The time has come to challenge Google’s stranglehold on our digital future and reclaim our collective sovereignty.

Revolutionary New Tech Ignites IT Boom in Remote Areas

Imagine a world where reliable, high-speed internet connectivity is as ubiquitous as electricity. A world where businesses can operate seamlessly, no matter their location. That world is now a reality, thanks to the innovative partnership between Tantum IT and Paratus South Africa.

In a stunning breakthrough, Paratus South Africa has installed Eutelsat OneWeb’s cutting-edge LEO (Low-Earth Orbit) satellite technology, transforming the way Tantum IT provides IT services to clients in remote areas.

The Unreliability of Traditional Connectivity Solutions

For years, traditional connectivity solutions have failed to deliver the reliability and speed needed for businesses in remote areas. In the past, Tantum IT faced numerous challenges, including slow uploads and downloads, dropped connections, and frustrating RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) sessions. The limitations were crippling, and their clients suffered as a result.

Enter Paratus South Africa and Eutelsat OneWeb

Enter Paratus South Africa, an official distributor of Eutelsat OneWeb’s LEO services in South Africa. This revolutionary technology uses a network of low-Earth orbit satellites to provide high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity across the globe. With Paratus South Africa’s expertise, Tantum IT was able to harness the full potential of Eutelsat OneWeb, solving the connectivity challenges faced by numerous businesses in remote areas.

A Game-Changing Solution

The results were nothing short of remarkable. With the Eutelsat OneWeb solution, Tantum IT’s clients experienced:

• Fast and stable connections
• Impressive speed and reliability
• Reliable access to shared files and cloud services
• Seamless video conferencing and streaming

The benefits didn’t stop there. Tantum IT’s in-house team quickly adapted to the new technology, and Paratus South Africa’s proactive support ensured a seamless deployment, addressing any issues efficiently.

A Partnership Built on Trust

Paratus South Africa’s commitment to delivering exceptional service has earned Tantum IT’s trust. As Kallie Carlsen, MD of Paratus South Africa, explained, "LEO satellite technology is uniquely positioned to overcome the challenges of traditional connectivity solutions. At Paratus South Africa, we specialize in providing tailored satellite solutions that ensure our clients, like Tantum IT, can operate efficiently and without disruption, regardless of their location."

The Future of Connectivity is Here

As evident from this groundbreaking partnership, the future of connectivity is already here. With Paratus South Africa at the forefront of satellite technology, businesses and industries in remote areas can finally access the reliable, high-speed connectivity they need to thrive. Join the revolution and discover the limitless possibilities that Eutelsat OneWeb and Paratus South Africa have to offer.

The Ultimate Showdown: IT Leaders Face Off in the Decade of CIO Service Awards

Get ready for the most epic battle of the century! The “Decade of CIO Service” awards are just around the corner, and the stakes are higher than ever before. Two new awards are being introduced to recognize the most elite CIOs who have been serving their organizations for an astonishing 10 years or more. Yes, you heard that right – these visionaries have been at the helm for a whole decade, and it’s time to give them the recognition they deserve!

But who are these superstars? A team of expert judges, comprised of the crème de la crème of ITWeb’s editorial staff, have been working tirelessly to shortlist the top contenders. And after much deliberation, the finalists are finally here!

Meet the Enterprise CIO Finalists:

* Muhammad Ali Bhikhan, CIO, Absa Regional Operations – This mastermind has been navigating the complex waters of IT for an impressive 12 years. Expectations are sky-high for this exemplary leader!
* Viren Naidu, CIO, Hollard Insure – With 15 years under his belt, Naidu is an embodiment of stability and reliability. Can he take the top spot?
* Sam Nkosi, group CIO, Santam – This titan of technology has been leading the way for 18 years. Watch out for this serious contender!

And Now, the Public Sector CIO Finalists:

* Rubens Da Silva, CIO, Johannesburg Water – With a decade and a half of experience, Da Silva is an expert in his field. Will he quench the thirst of the competition?
* Dr Denisha Jairam-Owthar, CIO, Council for Medical Schemes – This trailblazing leader has been pushing the boundaries of IT for an impressive 12 years. Expect fireworks!
* Libisi Maphanga, CIO, Independent Electoral Commission – With 10 years of experience, Maphanga is a force to be reckoned with. Will he cast a vote for success?
* Sello Mmakau, group chief digital officer, Telkom – This rising star has been blazing a trail for 8 years. Can he set the tone for the competition?
* Dr Stanley Mpofu, CIO, University of Witwatersrand – With 16 years at the helm, Mpofu is a seasoned pro. Watch out for this potential winner!

The stakes are high, the competition is fierce, and the rewards are immense. Who will take home the coveted “Decade of CIO Service” award? The answers will be revealed at the 2024 ITWeb Brainstorm CIO Banquet, taking place on October 17th in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Don’t miss out on the excitement! Get your tickets now and be a part of this momentous occasion!

BOOM! Karpowership’s South African Power Play Crushed: "It’s Dead, Finito, Kaput"

South Africa’s deal to supply 1.2 GW of electricity to the country through Turkish company Karpowership, a unit of Karadeniz Energy Group, has officially been sent to the dustbin of history. Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa dropped the hammer, stating categorically: "It’s behind us."

The company, which emerged victorious in a government auction three years ago, was to provide power to the tune of R218 billion over 20 years. However, its failure to complete financial arrangements has seen it lose the right to transmission capacity set aside by power utility Eskom.

As we reported earlier, the deal was always a hot mess, with critics crying foul over concerns about the company’s murky past and questionable business practices. Looks like the writing was on the wall for Karpowership, and now it’s just a matter of formalities before the deal is officially buried.

Stay tuned for more developments on this explosive saga!

REvolutionary New Report Exposes Flawed AI Benchmarks in Industrial Settings: It’s Time to Redefine the Rulebook!

In a shocking revelation, Cognite, the industry leader in AI for industry, unveils the inaugural Cognite Atlas AI LLM & SLM Benchmark Report for Industrial Agents – a game-changer that sets the record straight on the failures of existing LLM and SLM benchmarks in industrial settings.

“General LLM and SLM reports are laughable,” says Knut Vidvei, Head of Product Management at Cognite. “They ignore the intricate complexities of industrial operations and dismiss the pressing need for precision, safety, and domain expertise. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces!”

The Cognite Atlas AI LLM & SLM Benchmark Report for Industrial Agents is set to shake the very foundations of the industry, as it unveils a tailor-made evaluation framework for real-world industrial tasks, ensuring AI Agents are reliable, effective, and true to their purpose.

Cognite Atlas AI is an industrial agent workbench that expands the scope of Cognite Data Fusion, the leading industrial Data and AI platform. With Cognite Atlas AI, digital transformation leaders can finally bring AI into their operations with the precision and reliability they deserve.

The first report focuses on natural language search as a key data retrieval tool, with a rich dataset designed for sectors like Oil & Gas and Manufacturing. The question-answer pairs are assessed using a holistic range of evaluation metrics, setting a new benchmark for performance assessment.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Future versions of the report will scrutinize additional AI tools, like summarization, analysis, and reasoning, to comprehensively evaluate the full potential of industrial AI agents.

**Get ready to revolutionize your industrial AI strategy with the Cognite Atlas AI LLM & SLM Benchmark Report for Industrial Agents**

**Download the report now and join the industry’s shift towards more precise, more reliable, and more effective AI-based operations!**

The Bank Behind the Mask: Standard Bank’s IT Empire

You might be surprised to know that the mighty Standard Bank, Africa’s largest bank, is hiding a massive IT empire behind its corporate mask. With an annual budget of over R23 billion, their IT estate is a behemoth. And the team responsible for keeping it all safe from cyber villains? A whopping 5,500 strong, with a thousand dedicated cybersecurity ninjas fighting the good fight.

Meet Jörg Fischer, Standard Bank Group’s CIO and the man behind the mask. He’s got a confession to make: “If you ask me what keeps me up at night, it’s definitely cybersecurity. We’re talking north of R1 billion spent on it.” That’s more than the average person makes in a lifetime!

Fischer’s team is building a fortress around Standard Bank’s digital platforms, with a dedicated chief information security officer (CISO) for each of the bank’s business units. And when it comes to their cybersecurity strategy, they’re not messing around. They’re all-in on the Microsoft security stack, and they’re not afraid to get their hands dirty.

But even with all that security firepower, Fischer knows that the threat from cyber attackers is always lurking. That’s why he’s on a mission to build contingency plans to minimize damage should their systems get breached. And to stay one step ahead, he’s got his team working with the best in the business – international CISOs who’ve faced the same battles.

So, what’s his secret to success? Fischer is quick to point out that it’s all about building trust with his team. “I tried to work on the people aspect and the culture. I gave them a comfort space to say we’re all one team, whether they work in this or that part of the bank. We face the same issues.” And by doing so, he’s created an atmosphere where mistakes can be admitted and learned from, rather than covered up.

The results speak for themselves. Standard Bank’s digital platforms are now more stable, and their IT teams are more focused on the task at hand. But don’t think for a second that this means they’re taking their foot off the gas. Not on your life. Fischer’s always on the lookout for improved processes and better security, always pushing the boundaries to stay ahead of the game.

So, if you’re ready to get a glimpse behind the mask of one of Africa’s most powerful banks, keep reading. We’ll take you on a journey into the world of Jörg Fischer, the man behind Standard Bank’s massive IT empire. Buckle up for a wild ride!