The Gender Gap in SA’s ICT Sector: A Crisis of Leadership

The South African ICT sector is stuck in a rut, with women struggling to break through the glass ceiling and reach middle management positions. According to Wabo Majavu, executive of strategy and business operations at Africa Data Centres, the pace of transformation is glacial, with women facing a daunting climb up the corporate ladder.

Majavu’s words are a stark reminder of the harsh reality facing women in the ICT sector. Despite the increase in female representation at entry-level positions, the numbers dwindle significantly at the top, with women holding only a tiny fraction of leadership positions.

The data is stark: according to the Commission for Employment Equity, African women make up a mere 10% of the ICT sector’s workforce, while white males dominate the top levels of management. The statistics are a damning indictment of the sector’s failure to address its diversity and inclusion issues.

But Majavu is not one to mince words. She believes that the solution lies in a radical overhaul of the sector’s approach to diversity and inclusion. "We need to stop talking about diversity and inclusion and start doing something about it," she says. "We need to ring-fence the core functions of our organisations and monitor transformation based on incoming and outgoing female talent. We need to make succession planning a priority and incorporate tools of change to measure the rate and impact of transformation."

The consequences of inaction are dire. Without a radical shift in the sector’s approach to diversity and inclusion, women will continue to be shut out of leadership positions, and the sector will continue to struggle to attract and retain top talent.

But there is hope. The growing STEM skills development initiatives established as part of partnerships between government and the corporate sector are starting to bear fruit. As more young girls are encouraged to enter STEM fields, the sector is slowly starting to see a shift in the demographics of its workforce.

The clock is ticking, however. If the sector fails to act, it risks being left behind in the global digital economy. The stakes are high, but the reward is worth it: a more diverse and inclusive sector that is better equipped to drive innovation and growth in the years to come.

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Nuclear Energy Plan Goes Up in Flames: SA’s Latest Attempt at Powering Up Hits a Snag

In a shocking turn of events, South Africa’s energy minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has pulled the plug on the country’s nuclear energy plan, citing the need for more consultation and public participation. But is this just a smokescreen for the government’s lack of commitment to renewable energy?

The plan, which aimed to add 2.5GW of nuclear power to the grid, has been met with resistance from environmental groups and opposition parties, who argue that it’s a costly and unnecessary venture. And now, it seems that the government is finally listening to the concerns of the people.

But what’s behind this sudden change of heart? Is it a genuine attempt to engage with the public, or is it just a ploy to delay the inevitable? After all, the government has been touting nuclear energy as the solution to South Africa’s energy crisis for years, despite the country’s struggling economy and environmental concerns.

The energy minister’s words are laced with doublespeak, as he claims that nuclear energy is "part of the future," but also acknowledges that the procurement process must be able to "stand the test of time." It’s a clever way of saying that the government is willing to sacrifice the environment and the economy for the sake of nuclear power.

And what about the people of South Africa, who have been struggling with power outages for years? Are they being sold a false promise of a nuclear-powered utopia, or is this just a distraction from the real issues facing the country?

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: South Africa’s energy future is far from certain. Will the government continue to prioritize nuclear energy, or will it finally turn its attention to renewable energy sources? Only time will tell.

WARNING: Controversy Ahead

The Women in Tech digital skills training initiative by Huawei SA just opened its applications for 2024, but we’re left wondering, are they trying to brainwash our brains?

The IT giant has a history of doing whatever it takes to stay in power, but what’s the true intention behind this training? Is it truly meant to empower women, or are they just using them as pawn to fuel their own agendas?

Introducing their partner, Henley Business School Africa – a prestigious educational institution with questionable ties. Let’s call them what they really are: The Ivory Towers of Power Elites.

Cell C’s Desperate Attempt to Relevance: A Brand Refresh or a Hail Mary?

In a last-ditch effort to regain its footing in the competitive South African telecommunications market, Cell C has unveiled a new logo, brand design, and marketing strategy. But is it too little, too late?

CEO Jorge Mendes, a former Vodacom executive, claims that the brand refresh is a key part of the company’s turnaround plan, but the jury is still out on whether this is just a desperate attempt to stay relevant.

"We want to build the best culture in the country, not only in the telco business but in any business," Mendes declared, but will this empty rhetoric translate into actual change?

Cell C’s struggles are well-documented, with the company facing financial woes and a decline in market share. Its decision to outsource its network infrastructure to bigger rivals MTN and Vodacom has raised questions about its ability to compete in the long term.

The brand refresh is a significant investment, but will it be enough to shift the needle for Cell C? The company’s marketing efforts will need to be nothing short of spectacular to convince consumers to give it a second chance.

As the company’s biggest shareholder, Blue Label Telecoms, moves closer to acquiring control of Cell C, the pressure is on for Mendes and his team to deliver results. But can they overcome the company’s entrenched problems and deliver a successful turnaround?

Only time will tell if Cell C’s brand refresh is a bold new direction or a desperate attempt to cling to relevance. One thing is certain, however: the company’s future is far from certain.

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Get ready for a game-changer: the ultimate digital revolution is taking shape in Africa!

The not-so-secret alliance between Eutelsat and Bayobab, a subsidiary of MTN Group, has just dropped a bombshell in the satellite industry. The two companies are hooking up for a multi-year gig of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite capacity, and trust me, it’s about to shake up the digital landscape.

The game’s afoot, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Paratus, Seacom, and OneWeb are all playing catch-up. But let’s be real, folks – Eutelsat and Bayobab are the dynamic duo taking the lead. Their partnership promises to revolutionize enterprise and cellular backhaul applications, all while serving up low-latency, high-coverage goodies.

Bayobab is diving headfirst into the OneWeb constellation, and the results are going to be astronomical. Digital inclusion in Africa? Check. Improved customer experience? Check. Enhanced connectivity? You guessed it.

So, what’s the deal, guys? “We’re proud to be leading the charge in Africa’s early adoption of LEO,” says Eutelsat’s Cyril Dujardin. “This partnership is all about digital inclusion, and we’re not messing around.” Spoken like a boss, right?

And let’s not forget about the elephant in the room: Eutelsat is now a global satellite communications juggernaut, thanks to the merger with OneWeb. That’s power, baby!

But what’s really cooking here is the African expansion. Bayobab’s got its sights set on rolling out the LEO technology across the entire continent by December. It’s like a digital invasion of sorts, and we can’t get enough!

So, who’s ready for a digitally-inclusive future? Raise your hands, Africa!

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The Dark Horse of SA Streaming: Viu’s Rise to Power

French broadcasting giant Canal+, which is currently trying to devour MultiChoice Group, has been quietly building a stake in Viu, the Hong Kong-based streaming platform. And it’s not just a minor investment – Canal+ now owns a whopping 36.8% of Viu.

But what’s behind Viu’s rapid growth in South Africa? The company’s country leader, Elouise Kelly, claims it’s all about providing a dual revenue model that caters to both advertisers and subscribers. But we’re not buying it. The real secret to Viu’s success is its ability to offer a mix of local and international content that’s simply irresistible to South African audiences.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Viu now boasts an impressive 6.1 million monthly active users in South Africa, with a near doubling of its viewers in the last six years. That’s a staggering increase, and it’s no wonder that Canal+ is keen to get in on the action.

Local Content is King

But Viu’s success isn’t just about foreign content. The company’s local titles, such as Skeem Saam and uBettina Wethu, are driving 40% of the traffic on the platform. And it’s not just about the shows themselves – it’s about the way Viu is catering to the local audience’s preferences.

Piracy is a Growing Concern

But despite Viu’s success, piracy remains a major problem for the company. Kelly claims that the most common way Viu content is pirated is via illegal YouTube uploads, and the company has a team dedicated to scouring the internet and requesting takedowns. But it’s clear that piracy is a growing concern, and Viu needs to take more drastic measures to protect its content.

The Future of Streaming

So what does the future hold for Viu? With Canal+ on board, it’s clear that the company is gearing up for a major push into the South African market. But will it be enough to take on the likes of Netflix and Showmax? Only time will tell. One thing is certain, though – Viu is a force to be reckoned with, and it’s not going away anytime soon.