The REAL STORY Behind Bolt’s Driver Partnership Centre

Are you aware that e-hailing powerhouses like Bolt South Africa are secretly manipulating drivers all over the country? Forget the sugary coated lines about "driver support and administrative assistance" – read between the lines, there’s more to the narrative.

In a stunning rebuke to the alleged inefficiencies of Bolt’s systems, the company has set up a second local centre in Cape Town. Or so they claim. Fact is, it’s long overdue, considering drivers for years have been left bewildered, abandoned by meager support systems that supposedly cater to their "vital needs". One suspects this move is mere cover for their ongoing negligence

The Thornton-based centre supposedly doubles as a lost and found, where hapless tourists can collect their scattered stuff after those unforgettable taxi hijinks. Oh, we’re sure that’ll give them the warm-and-cozy feels.

Wanted: Face-to-face Miracles!

What else besides "driver support and better issue resolution" (insert eye-roll here)? Some sort of magical resolution fairies waving their wands to conjure income disparity, exploitation, or perpetual uncertainty? Meanwhile, poor drivers toil on.

In reality, they toil for scraps as precarious employment beckons the wind. Will Bolt care package them into oblivion now? No! Those elusive training sessions – like fire-and-brimstone sales pitches, "Maximize your earnings" echoes on the wind.

For Bolt, this new centre just confirms their willingness to dud the driver-partner contract, perpetuating instability that’s already been bussed to the brim as it is.

No Thanks, No Tears… Next!

Oh, for this writer, Bolt needs but one driver: Yours’ Truly. Not 0.000001.1% of their vainglorious e-hallicious drivers get acknowledged. In their words ‘“We are continuously working to improve drivers’experience and ensure they can maxmise their earnings’. Yawn! Next…

One last time, because sanity demands: "Insecurity, Disdain for People, Inefficiencies".

Bolt: Unseen, Untold – 200 million customers around – but their dark spots.

The Great Photo Heist: How to Steal Back Your Memories from the Abyss of Digital Oblivion

In the age of smartphone cameras, taking a photograph has become as effortless as breathing. But with great power comes great responsibility. With the ease of snapping away comes the daunting task of storing and preserving those precious memories. One wrong move, and they’re gone forever.

The Cloud: A False Sense of Security

Cloud storage, the supposed savior of our digital lives, can be a double-edged sword. While it’s easy to upload your photos to the cloud, what happens when the service changes its policies or goes bankrupt? Ask the users of Digital Railroad, who found out the hard way that their photos were lost forever when the company shut down. The cloud may seem like a convenient solution, but it’s a fleeting one.

Hard Drives and Network-Attached Storage: The Ultimate Control

But what if you want to take control of your photos? Enter hard drives and network-attached storage. These physical devices offer a sense of security and flexibility that cloud storage can’t match. You can store your photos locally, access them from anywhere, and even set up a backup system to ensure your memories are safe. And with the rise of network-attached storage, you can even access your photos from the internet.

Printing Photos: The Old-Fashioned Approach

But what about the good old days of printing photos? With the advancement of technology, it’s easier than ever to print professional-quality archival prints from the comfort of your own home. From dedicated 4×6 printers to high-end professional printers, there’s a solution for every need. And with the rise of photo books, you can even create a physical, bound book of your memories.

The Bottom Line

In 2024, there’s no excuse not to make some sort of backups of your photos. Whether it’s on printed media, hard drives, or in the cloud, the important thing is to take control of your memories. Don’t let them disappear into the void. Take action, and make sure your photos are safe for generations to come.

Here’s a rewritten version of the content with a provocative tone:

Regenesys School of Technology: The Game-Changer in Local ICT Sector

Nicolaas Kruger, CEO of Regenesys School of Technology, is about to shake up the local ICT sector with a series of qualifications that will have a massive impact. The school, which launched in February, has already kicked off with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in computer science and is now rolling out a post-grad diploma in data science in October.

But what’s behind this sudden move into technology-focused education? According to Kruger, it’s all about awakening potential. "Technology is the future, and we’re not just talking about coding and software development. We’re talking about the entire ecosystem of innovation and disruption that’s happening across industries."

And it’s not just about South Africa. The Regenesys Group, with campuses in Sandton, Lagos, and Mumbai, has over 200,000 students and alumni from 190 countries. So, what makes them think they can make a dent in the global tech scene?

Kruger believes that the Regenesys School of Technology is uniquely positioned to make a difference. "We’re not just teaching technology; we’re teaching the business of technology. We’re teaching the leaders of tomorrow how to harness the power of technology to drive innovation and growth."

But don’t just take his word for it. The 2022 JCSE-IITPSA ICT Skills Survey found growing demand for fourth industrial revolution skills, particularly in areas such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. And with the likes of Square Kilometre Array and MeerKAT radio telescope projects demanding data-centric skills, it’s clear that the future is bright for those who can master these technologies.

So, what’s next for Regenesys School of Technology? Plans are already in place to bring in the second intake, and Kruger is confident that the school will continue to disrupt the status quo. "We’re not just building a school; we’re building a movement. We’re building a community of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders who will shape the future of technology and drive growth in South Africa and beyond."

Data Science: The Critical and Scarce Skill

Data science is a critical and scarce skill across the country in various sectors. For example, financial services and projects like the Square Kilometre Array and MeerKAT radio telescope are increasingly demanding data-centric skills.

Here’s a rewritten version of the content with a more provocative tone:

Apple’s Epic Fail: iPhone Users Stuck in the Stone Age of Messaging

In a shocking move, Apple has finally caved in to pressure from Google and other Android manufacturers to support Rich Communication Services (RCS) on its iPhones. But don’t get too excited, folks – it’s not like Apple is suddenly going to revolutionize the way we communicate.

The Slow-Motion Trainwreck of RCS Adoption

RCS, a protocol that’s been around for years, is supposed to replace the ancient SMS and MMS standards. But despite its many benefits, including high-resolution image and video support, group chats, and end-to-end encryption, RCS has been slow to gain traction. And now, Apple is finally joining the party, but only after years of foot-dragging.

The Elephant in the Room: Apple’s Fear of Change

So why did Apple take so long to adopt RCS? Some say it’s because the company is afraid of change, and that its proprietary iMessage platform is too lucrative to give up. Others claim that Apple is simply trying to maintain its stranglehold on the messaging market. Whatever the reason, the result is the same: iPhone users are stuck in the dark ages of messaging, while Android users get to enjoy the modern features of RCS.

The Telcos’ Role in the RCS Saga

But what about the telcos? Are they just as guilty of dragging their feet on RCS adoption? Telkom, MTN, and Vodacom are all supposed to be working on implementing RCS, but progress is slow. Telkom says it’s waiting for Apple’s approval, while MTN is still in the feasibility analysis phase. Vodacom, meanwhile, is keeping mum on the whole thing.

The Bottom Line: iPhone Users Are Getting Left Behind

So what does this mean for iPhone users? Unfortunately, it means they’ll have to wait even longer for the modern messaging features they deserve. And who knows when – or if – Apple will finally get its act together and implement RCS properly. In the meantime, Android users will continue to enjoy the benefits of RCS, while iPhone users are left stuck in the past.

Here is the rewritten content in a provocative manner:

“Get ready to have your mind blown! Meta’s latest AR glasses, Orion, are about to change the game. And we’re not just talking about any old AR glasses – we’re talking about the most advanced pair ever made.

Orion looks and feels like a regular pair of glasses, but don’t let that fool you. This is a game-changer. With transparent lenses, you’ll be able to see the world in a whole new way. Imagine being able to see information and visuals superimposed onto the real world. It’s like having a superpower!

But what really sets Orion apart is its AI assistant. This isn’t just a passive display – it’s an active partner that can understand what you’re looking at and help you with useful visualizations. Want to know more about the city you’re walking through? Orion’s got you covered. Want to get more information about the products on the shelves? Orion’s got that too.

And the best part? Orion isn’t just a prototype – it’s a highly advanced prototype that’s almost ready for consumer release. Meta is focusing on refining it internally before making it available to the public. But don’t worry, they’re not keeping it a secret. At their Connect event this week, they announced that they’ll be opening up access to the Orion prototype for Meta employees and select external audiences.

So what are you waiting for? Get ready to experience the future of AR with Orion. It’s going to be a wild ride!”

ESKOM: THE STATE-OWNED ELECTRICITY UTILITY THAT PROMISES TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON… OR DOES IT?

Imagine a world where the country’s electricity grid is held hostage by a behemoth that can’t even ensure a steady supply of juice to its citizens. Meet Eskom, the "state-owned electricity utility" that’s been touting a "milestone" in its generation performance – six months without load shedding.

A RECORD FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO MEET DEMAND

The last time Eskom was forced to implement load shedding, which was an unprecedented 184 days ago, it was on 26 March. Yeah, that’s right – they’ve managed to maintain this impressive feat of non-competence for an entire six months. Talk about a badge of honor.

PLANNED MAINTENANCE? WHAT PLANNED MAINTENANCE?

While Eskom claims that planned maintenance has increased, let’s not forget that their energy availability factor (EAF) has actually dropped to 59% over the past week and a paltry 63% for the year to date. So, basically, they’re still burning more diesel than they would like to admit, which adds up to a pretty penny – R5.8 billion in the first half of 2024 alone.

KOEBERG: THE EPICENTER OF ESKOM’S WOES

The problem at Koeberg nuclear power station has been a major setback, forcing Eskom to use its diesel-burning open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) at an alarming rate. Yes, you heard that right – diesel-burning open-cycle gas turbines. How very… efficient.

WHEN THE COLD COMES, ESKOM’S GRIP ON SUPPLY SLIPS

Speaking of cold fronts, the recent weather has forced Eskom to use more OCGTs than they’d like to admit, causing a minor panic about potential power outages. Don’t worry, they assure us, they’ll figure it out… or at least, they hope they will.

IT’S NOT ALL BAD, RIGHT? RIGHT?!

Hey, look on the bright side – Eskom has managed to reduce their diesel consumption since April 2024, which is great, we guess. Yeah, who needs reliability or a consistent supply of electricity when you can say you’ve reduced your diesel spending by a few billion bucks?

So, here’s to Eskom, the "state-owned electricity utility" that’s single-handedly keeping the industry afloat (or so it seems). Keep up the good work, Eskom!