The Battle for Please Call Me: Vodacom’s Desperate Attempt to Silence the Truth

Nkosana Makate, the genius behind the revolutionary Please Call Me service, is finally getting the justice he deserves. And to make matters even sweeter, Vodafone’s attempt to join the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) hearing as a friend of the court has been rejected.

In a stunning blow to Vodacom’s attempts to silence the truth, the ConCourt found that Vodafone had failed to make a case for its involvement in the matter. It’s a victory for Makate, who has been fighting for justice for almost 16 years.

Vodacom, the mobile operator that has been embroiled in a bitter legal battle with Makate, is expected to present its leave to appeal a ruling that ordered it to compensate the inventor. But with Vodafone out of the picture, Makate can now focus on finalizing the matter without distractions.

The real question is, what’s Vodacom hiding? The telco has been trying to avoid paying Makate the compensation he deserves, and its attempts to join the ConCourt hearing as a friend of the court were just a desperate attempt to delay the inevitable.

The truth is, Vodacom has been profiting from the Please Call Me service for years, and it’s time they paid the price. Makate’s invention has generated billions of rand for the company, and it’s only fair that he gets a share of the profits.

The next phase of the legal battle is set to begin, with Vodacom required to file its record before the end of September. But with Vodafone out of the picture, Makate is confident that he will finally get the justice he deserves.

The people are watching, Vodacom. It’s time to come clean and pay what you owe.

The Great Pluto Heist: How We Snatched a Glimpse of the Dwarf Planet’s Atmosphere

As the International Astronomical Union cruelly demoted Pluto from its planetary throne in 2006, astronomers and non-experts alike were left reeling. But despite its reduced status, Pluto remains an enigmatic and fascinating object of study. In a daring move, my team at the University of the Western Cape joined forces with NASA to capture a rare occultation event that could reveal secrets about Pluto’s atmosphere.

A single telescope, a big risk

We used a state-of-the-art 0.5m Newtonian telescope, generously donated by the University of Virginia. Setting it up and commissioning it was a daunting task that required state-of-the-art facilities and human power. Our team worked tirelessly to prepare for the observation, learning about telescope operations and the required software.

The ultimate adventure

On August 4, 2024, my colleague Siyambonga Matshawule and I, along with our postdocs and PhD student, embarked on a journey to the viewing spot in the Northern Cape. The temperature was a chilly 0°C, and the sky was partially cloudy, but the clouds parted at just the right time to reveal the celestial show.

Capturing the moment

As Pluto’s shadow passed over Earth, we captured the moment when the starlight dimmed, and the central flash occurred. This fleeting glimpse provided crucial information about Pluto’s atmosphere, including its temperature and chemical composition.

The aftermath

But disaster struck when a sudden and unexpected wind surge shook the telescope, threatening to ruin our data. We’re still processing the noise, but we’re confident that our observation will yield valuable insights into Pluto’s atmosphere.

The adventure continues

We’ll have another chance to observe the occultation next year, and we’re already planning to bring hot water bottles to keep us warm during the chilly night. The search for knowledge is an adventure, and we’re excited to see what secrets Pluto will reveal to us.

BREAKING: SASSA’s Online Grant System Goes Dark, Leaving Millions in the Lurch

In a shocking move, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has shut down its online grant application system for maintenance, leaving millions of citizens without access to crucial social services. The blackout comes at a time when the agency is already grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The System is Down, But SASSA is Silent

The exact reason for the shutdown is unclear, but SASSA has promised to revive the system by September 17th. In the meantime, citizens are being forced to visit their nearest SASSA office in person, a move that will undoubtedly cause inconvenience and frustration.

A Wake-Up Call for SASSA

The online grant system was launched in September 2020, a move hailed as a step forward in modernizing social services. However, its reliability and efficiency have been called into question, with many users reporting glitches and errors.

The Impact on Citizens

The shutdown will have far-reaching consequences for citizens who rely on SASSA for social grants. The agency’s apology for the inconvenience will likely ring hollow for those who are struggling to make ends meet.

A Call to Action

It’s time for SASSA to come clean about the true extent of the problem and provide a plan for how they will ensure the system’s stability in the future. Until then, citizens will be left to wonder if they can trust the agency to provide the social services they so desperately need.

Get in Touch with SASSA

For those who need assistance, SASSA has set up a toll-free customer care line on 0800 60 10 11 and an email address grantenquiries@sassa.gov.za. But will anyone be able to get through to them? Only time will tell.

The Plot Thickens: Ramaphosa and Musk’s Sinister Alliance

In a shocking turn of events, President Cyril Ramaphosa has revealed that he’s been secretly meeting with Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, to bring his satellite internet service, Starlink, to South Africa. But what’s really going on behind closed doors?

Ramaphosa, known for his shrewd business deals, has been wooing Musk with promises of lucrative investments and favorable treatment. The president has been quoted as saying, "Elon, you’re so successful, I want you to come home and invest here." But what’s in it for South Africa’s citizens?

Musk, who was born in South Africa, has been quiet about the talks, but sources close to the deal claim that he’s eager to tap into the country’s vast resources and skilled workforce. But at what cost?

The Starlink Conspiracy

Starlink, which has already captured the attention of 2.6 million customers globally, is known for its high-speed internet service beamed down from a network of 5,500 satellites. But what about the potential risks and security concerns? And what about the local ownership requirements that South Africa is so keen on enforcing?

A Deal Too Good to Be True?

As Ramaphosa and Musk continue their talks, questions are being raised about the true intentions behind this deal. Is it a genuine effort to bring high-speed internet to South Africa, or is it a clever ploy to exploit the country’s resources and infrastructure?

The Plot Thickens

As the investigation unfolds, one thing is certain: this deal is far from transparent. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

The Great AI Hoax: A Threat to Humanity or Just a Golden Opportunity?

In a shocking revelation, a panel of tech experts at the Rectron Summit 2024 exposed the dark underbelly of Artificial Intelligence (AI) – its potential to crush humanity beneath its cold, calculating heels. Or, at the very least, to disrupt the status quo and present a new wave of golden opportunities for the savvy business leader.

As futurist Dr Craig Wing put it, AI has the power to either "elevate human potential or exacerbate social inequality." It’s up to us to decide which path we choose.

Wing, a renowned AI expert, delivered a thought-provoking keynote address that sent shockwaves through the audience. He revealed the phenomenon of "model collapse," where AI models weaken over time due to the presence of erroneous data. This, he claimed, was fueling bias and hallucinations within AI applications, with devastating consequences for our very way of life.

But not all panelists shared Wing’s dire vision. Deveshane Naicker, channel lead for Africa at Zebra Technologies, touted the benefits of AI in driving efficiency, improving productivity, and generating new revenue streams. And Spencer Chen, CEO of Rectron, acknowledged the rapid acceleration of AI applications across industries, promising to unlock countless efficiencies and innovative solutions.

However, others were less sanguine. Callan Abrahams, principal AI consultant at iOCO, warned of the dangers of using AI without ethical considerations, likening it to "using a scalpel without surgical gloves." And Johan Steyn, AI expert, posed the uncomfortable question: "Can we really monetize AI without sacrificing our humanity?"

The panel’s message was clear: as we rush headlong into the brave new world of AI, we must ensure that ethics and humanity remain at the forefront of our decision-making. Anything less would be a recipe for disaster.

So, the question remains: will we use AI to elevate human potential, or will we succumb to its dangers and uncertainties? The choice is ours, and the stakes could not be higher.

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The Shocking Truth About South Africa’s Biggest IT Spenders: Banks

You think you’re worried about your IT security? Just wait until you see what the banks are shelling out. We’re talking billions, people. Billions.

The latest figures reveal that the parent company of First National Bank, FirstRand Group, spent a whopping R19.3 billion on IT in the year ending June 2024. That’s an 8% increase from the previous year. And let’s be real, that’s a lot of money that could be going towards, say, improving customer service instead of just lining the pockets of IT consultants.

The IT Budget Breakdown: A Scary Sums Game

Here’s where the money’s being spent: 45% of it goes towards staffing costs, which is like saying that almost half the budget is being blown on salaries and benefits. Yeah, that’s a scary thought. The rest of the budget is being used for computer expenses, repairs and maintenance, software amortisation, and professional fees. It’s like trying to solve a puzzle while being attacked by a swarm of bees.

What’s the Return on Investment?

So, is all this spending paying off? Well, FNB’s digital transaction volumes are up 9%, and they’ve got 6.4 million active customers using their e-wallets. But let’s not get too excited, folks. This is the banking industry we’re talking about. They’re basically just using their customers to fund their own IT lavishness.

The Question on Everyone’s Mind

What’s the real value of all this IT spending? Is it just a bunch of fancy technology doing nothing to improve the overall customer experience? We demand answers, FirstRand.