The gloves are off as the SABC declares war on Openview! In a bold move, the beleaguered public broadcaster is set to launch its own rival satellite TV platform, aiming to cut Openview down to size and reclaim its spot as the premier TV player in South Africa.

According to insiders, the SABC is looking for a partner to help it take on eMedia’s Openview, which has long dominated the local TV landscape. The SABC’s plan is to use satellite technology to beam its channels directly into homes, bypassing the need for a digital terrestrial television (DTT) setup that has been plagued by slow uptake and technical issues.

But don’t count Openview out just yet. The company has a loyal following and a strong brand, and it’s unlikely to go down without a fight. This battle for TV supremacy is about to get very real, very fast.

As the war between SABC and Openview heats up, one thing is clear: consumers are the big winners. With two major players vying for their attention, viewers will be spoiled for choice, with more channels, more content, and better quality TV all around.

So sit back, relax, and get ready to enjoy the best of TV in South Africa – courtesy of the SABC’s new satellite TV platform and Openview’s continued dominance. The battle for the TV throne has officially begun!

Irish Tech Challenge South Africa 2024: The Battle for Innovation Supremacy

In a shocking turn of events, seven local start-ups have been selected as finalists for this year’s Irish Tech Challenge South Africa, and the competition is about to get fierce.

These entrepreneurs will receive €10,000 each in funding, as well as a free trip to Ireland, where they’ll rub shoulders with the country’s top business leaders and tech experts. The challenge is part of a partnership between the Embassy of Ireland in SA, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency, Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Precinct, and Dogpatch Labs Ireland.

The seven selected start-ups are:

1. Smartview Technology: A utility management solutions provider that helps businesses control costs, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact.
2. Momint: A blockchain-based platform that invests in renewable energy projects, allowing individuals to co-invest and contribute to a sustainable future.
3. The Awareness Company: A situational awareness company that uses data to help organizations achieve operational efficiency and sustainability.
4. Athena: A healthcare platform that allows patients to pay medical treatment costs in monthly instalments.
5. AdBot: An online advertising solutions start-up that helps small business owners manage their digital marketing needs.
6. Samanjalo: A fly ash beneficiation business that turns coal waste into green products used in construction and infrastructure environments.
7. Credipple: A talent marketplace for creative and digital professionals that reduces friction in the hiring process.

These innovators will undergo an intensive pre-acceleration programme in SA, followed by an acceleration programme in Dublin, Ireland. The event is expected to showcase the selected start-ups on August 30th, and registration is now open.

Who will emerge victorious? Will it be the utility management experts at Smartview Technology, the blockchain pioneers at Momint, or the healthcare innovators at Athena? The competition is heating up, and we can’t wait to see who will come out on top.

The Hydrogen Hype: A Scam or a Savior?

As the world slowly transitions away from fossil fuels, the debate around hydrogen-powered cars has reached a fever pitch. With only two major manufacturers, Toyota and Hyundai, offering hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), it’s clear that this technology is still in its infancy. But is it worth the hype?

The Efficiency Conundrum

According to Greg Cress, principal director for automotive and e-mobility at Accenture, hydrogen vehicles are less efficient than battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). "When you look at the energy losses in the production of hydrogen versus charging a battery, you see massive differences in efficiency," he said. "For example, you lose about 84% of the energy input on petrol and diesel, meaning only 16% of that energy is used to drive the car. Looking at battery-electric vehicles under the same lens, you get 77% efficiency; with hydrogen, the efficiency output is just 33%."

The Infrastructure Problem

Another major hurdle for hydrogen FCEVs is the lack of infrastructure. "Moving hydrogen around is very expensive and dangerous – since it is a gas, it must be pressurised. It could also leak," said Cress. "In fact, Shell has been closing down its hydrogen stations in California because it can’t see the long-term viability of these distribution networks."

The Niche Market

So, where does this leave hydrogen FCEVs? According to Cress, they may find a niche in large, long-haul trucks along well-known logistics corridors. "In the passenger vehicle market, however, hydrogen cars are going to face the same challenges EVs faced: new infrastructure for refuelling networks will have to be rolled out," he said.

The BMW Experiment

BMW, however, is taking a different approach. The company has partnered with Anglo Platinum and Sasol to trial its iX5 Hydrogen prototype in South Africa. The vehicle uses fuel cells manufactured by Toyota and has a combined 6l capacity. According to BMW’s Hailey Philander, a five-minute fill-up of hydrogen translates into about 500km of range.

The Green Hydrogen Dream

But what about the promise of green hydrogen, sourced from renewable energy and electrolysis? "Southern Africa is seen as a potential green hydrogen hub and, where the infrastructure allows, we could develop and export green hydrogen for the rest of the world," said Philander.

The Verdict

So, is hydrogen the future of transportation? It’s hard to say. While it may have its advantages, the efficiency and infrastructure challenges are significant. For now, it seems that hydrogen FCEVs will remain a niche product, used in specific applications where their unique benefits can be leveraged. But as the technology continues to evolve, it’s possible that we’ll see a more widespread adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the future.

The Dark Side of Cape Town’s Call Centre Boom: 10,000 New Jobs, But at What Cost?

Behind the gleaming façade of Cape Town’s call centre industry, a sinister reality lurks. The city’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector has added a staggering 10,000 new jobs in just one year, but at what cost to the city’s youth, economy, and social fabric?

The BPO sector, which employs a record 90,000 people in Cape Town, has become a hotbed of exploitation, with workers toiling in soulless call centres for meager wages and no benefits. The city’s mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, and alderman James Vos, mayoral committee member for economic opportunities and asset management, have been touting the sector’s growth, but the reality is far more complex.

The city’s special purpose vehicle, CapeBPO, has been accused of prioritizing profits over people, with many workers struggling to make ends meet. The industry’s reliance on low-wage, temporary workers has created a culture of fear and exploitation, with workers afraid to speak out against their employers.

Meanwhile, the city’s youth are being funneled into the BPO sector, with many forced to abandon their dreams of higher education and career advancement. The industry’s emphasis on cheap labor has created a brain drain, with talented young people leaving the city in search of better opportunities.

The BPO sector’s impact on the city’s economy is also questionable. While it contributes R21 billion to the city’s economy, the industry’s reliance on low-wage labor has created a culture of poverty and inequality. The city’s infrastructure is being stretched to the breaking point, with traffic congestion and housing shortages becoming increasingly severe.

As the city continues to prioritize the BPO sector, it is imperative that we question the true cost of this growth. Is it worth sacrificing the well-being of our youth and the social fabric of our city for the sake of economic growth? The answer is a resounding no.

It is time for the city to take a closer look at the BPO sector and its impact on our community. We must prioritize the well-being of our workers, our youth, and our city, and ensure that economic growth is sustainable and equitable. Anything less is a betrayal of our values and our future.

Here’s a rewritten version of the content in a provocative manner:

STRIKE TERROR: Tarsus Distribution in Chaos as Workers Rebel

The streets of Johannesburg are abuzz with the sound of picket signs and disgruntled employees as Tarsus Distribution’s head office is brought to a standstill by a mysterious strike action. But don’t worry, the company’s operations are still "not impacted" – or so they claim.

TechCentral has learned that a "select number" of employees, represented by an unrecognised trade union, have been picketing outside the Waterfall office since Tuesday, demanding unknown concessions from the company. And yet, Tarsus’ MD Gary Pickford is quick to assure clients that business as usual will continue, despite the chaos unfolding just outside the office doors.

"We’re Not Fazed": Tarsus Defies Strike Action

But what exactly are the workers demanding? And how many are involved in the action? The answers remain shrouded in mystery, as Tarsus Distribution remains tight-lipped about the details of the strike. But one thing is clear: the company is taking no chances, having implemented a contingency plan to "minimise the impact" of the strike.

The Plot Thickens: Alviva Holdings’ Grip on Tarsus

As the strike drags on, questions are being raised about the true extent of Alviva Holdings’ influence over Tarsus Distribution. The unlisted parent company, which also owns Axiz and Pinnacle, has a reputation for being ruthless in its pursuit of profits. Could this strike be a sign of a deeper struggle for power within the company?

Stay Tuned for Updates

As the situation continues to unfold, TechCentral will be keeping a close eye on developments. Will Tarsus Distribution be able to weather the storm, or will the strike action ultimately prove too much for the company to handle? Only time will tell.

Here’s a provocative rewritten version of the content:

“Shake-Up at Sedna: African Mining IT Solutions Firm Spins Off to Focus on Global Expansion”

In a shocking move, Johannesburg-based Sedna Industrial IT Solutions, a dominant player in the African mining IT sector, has announced a major shake-up in its ownership structure and a renewed focus on global expansion.

According to sources, Anton Fester, managing director, and Koos Fourie, technical director, have quietly acquired 100% of Sedna’s African business, effectively severing ties with the company’s original founders and owners, Peter Dormehl and Darryl Mitchell, who will continue to run the US operations.

The move is seen as a strategic shift to enable Sedna Africa to “laser-focus” on delivering production-focused enabling technologies to the heavy-duty industries, including mining, manufacturing, oil and gas, and ports, according to Fester.

The rebranded Sedna Africa will launch a new website (sedna.africa) to showcase its expanded capabilities and offerings, which will include emerging technologies such as digital twins, edge computing, and drones.

Meanwhile, Sedna Inc in the US will continue to focus on in-pit and underground private 5G networking, as well as the implementation of autonomous mining, according to Dormehl.

The deal marks a significant milestone in Sedna’s evolution, with the company now positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for industrial technology solutions in Africa and beyond.

“South Africa mustn’t be left behind in the fast-paced world of industrial technology,” Fester said in an interview. “With this deal, we can better align to regional requirements and ensure we have dedicated resources to deliver tailor-made solutions that match the needs on the ground as we expand.”

The company’s new ownership structure is expected to bring fresh perspectives and investment to the table, with Sedna Africa now boasting a 51% black-owned, Level 1 BBBEE status, contributing to the growth and diversity of the South African economy.

In a statement, Mitchell congratulated Fester and Fourie on their new roles, saying, “I would like to congratulate Anton and Koos, who have essentially been operating as owners for five years now. Their business and ours are well geared to build on the successes we have achieved and grasp the exciting opportunities ahead.”

The implications of this deal are far-reaching, with the company poised to disrupt the status quo in the African mining IT sector and set its sights on global expansion. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.

BREAKING: Pick n Pay Gets Ditched for a Rival Store by Discovery Vitality in a Massive Betrayal!

Get ready for the unthinkable – Discovery Vitality is jilting Pick n Pay, its decade-long health benefits partner, and hopping into bed with Checkers, the snazzy, up-and-coming rival. But don’t just take our word for it, look at the image https://techcentral.co.za/discovery-vitality-pick-n-pay-checkers/248982/ and judge for yourself if this is the bold move or a drastic step backward for Discovery.

A shock announcement sent to members today revealed that Checkers, and by extension its popular on-demand delivery service Checkers Sixty60, will now join Woolworths as part of the Vitality HealthyFood benefit – at the expense of the once-darling Pick n Pay!

So, what’s behind this scorching betrayal? Are Discovery and Pick n Pay now archenemies?

To recap: Discovery announced last year that it was parting ways with Pick n Pay citing "changing shopping habits". Some would call it a ‘flexible approach’, but did Pick n Pay fail to ‘keep up’ with the evolving tides?

It would seem Checkers, who’s ‘Sixty60’ service boasts a staggering 58% growth rate, was ripe for the taking. But does Checkers really have the capacity to scale to Discovery’s member bases?

Will this shift propel Checkers to new heights? Meanwhile, what about Pick n Pay? What’s next for a store still reeling from significant losses?

There’s more where that came from… Stay tuned for updates in this saga and a deeper dive into why Discovery chose Checkers over a decade-old partner! [Tweet this story]

The E-Hailing Industry’s Dirty Little Secret Exposed

Shesha, the newest e-hailing app in town, is making waves with over 4,000 customers and 5,000 drivers listed on its platform. But the journey to success hasn’t been smooth sailing. The company’s spokesperson, Nomsa Mdhluli, reveals the dark underbelly of the e-hailing industry and the need for regulatory intervention to bring about some much-needed change.

The Culture of Crime and Corruption

The e-hailing industry has been plagued by incidents of crime, violent attacks, and drivers accused of harassment, alleged rape of female passengers, and theft of passengers’ money and mobile phones. Mdhluli attributes these incidents to the lack of stringent vetting processes, which allows criminals to slip through the cracks.

Shesha’s Stricter Vetting Process

In contrast, Shesha has introduced a biometric system to ensure riders and drivers are who they claim to be. The company’s database is interfaced with the home affairs department database, allowing for accurate verification of each applicant’s identity.

The War for Commuters

The e-hailing industry is also beset by infighting between different operators. Shesha drivers have been accused of intimidation and extortion of Bolt and Uber drivers, leading to a crisis of confidence in the industry.

Calls for Regulatory Intervention

Regulatory intervention is seen as a potential solution to the industry’s woes. The amended National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009, signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in June, introduces stricter safety measures, including standardised vetting procedures.

Expansion Plans

Despite the challenges, Shesha is planning to introduce an iOS app and expand its operations beyond Gauteng. The company is engaging with transport stakeholders in other provinces and hopes to make a decision on expansion soon.

The Dark Side of the E-Hailing Industry

The e-hailing industry’s dirty little secret is out – it’s a Wild West where criminals and corrupt operators thrive. With the introduction of stricter regulations and innovative solutions like Shesha’s, the industry may finally be heading in the right direction. But can the damage be undone, and a culture of trust and safety be re-established? Only time will tell.