Monday, 4 July 2016

CITY PRESS

Businessman and former president of the Durban Chamber of Commerce, Moses Tembe, who was with Mkhwanazi moments before he died, said his death still felt unreal.Many referred to him as the godfather of BEE. Others knew him as an ally of President Jacob Zuma’s. To many black business people, Don Mkhwanazi (63) was a business mentor who never compromised on business principles.

“One moment, he was chatting as usual and the next he was gone,” he said.

The pioneer of BEE was at a friend’s party when he died of what is believed to be a heart attack. He said he wanted to rest and sat down.

His friends later noticed that he was not sitting comfortably and discovered that he was not breathing. He was rushed to Netcare Umhlanga Hospital in Durban north and was certified dead on arrival.

Sandile Zungu, vice-president of the Black Business Council, said he was devastated by the news of Mkhwanazi’s death.

Zungu described Mkhwanazi as “very loyal, courageous and fearless. He was principled to the core on issues he believed in and was ready to die for those issues.

“His commitment to BEE was impeccable. He was a person who stood for BEE when it was least fashionable to do so,” he said.

Mzwanele Manyi, former president of the Black Management Forum (BMF) and president of the Progressive Professionals Forum, recalled how Mkhwanazi, also a founder of the BMF, used to say he was raising corporate guerillas who would transform the corporate world.

“I would call him in the middle of the night asking him for advice, and he would gladly assist. He always advised me to be principled and true to the call [entrepreneurship],” Manyi said.

Telkom CEO Sipho Maseko echoed the same sentiments, saying a fearless black business giant had fallen.

“When others went with the flow, Don dared to be different and stood for what he believed in,” Maseko said.

Apart from being the pioneer of BEE and its implementation before it became government policy, he started the National Empowerment Trust in 1992, founded the BMF and was the chairperson of the anti-apartheid debt committee that made presentations to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1997.

Southern African Shipyards, a company he co-owned, made headlines in December 2014 when it was awarded navy contracts worth R406 million.

A few months before that, the company had been awarded a R1.4 billion contract by Transnet to build tugboats. His critics cited his close relationship with Zuma as the reason for this good fortune.

Mkhwanazi had strong ANC links and helped form the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust. Earlier this year, Mkhwanazi and other businessmen offered to help Zuma repay the debt he owes on Nkandla.

Mkhwanazi is survived by his wife, Zodwa Msimang, and five children.

SOURCE: CITY PRESS

Thursday, 30 June 2016

TECH STARTUPS NEWS

Dell, Microsoft launch online platform supporting global startups, hubs

BY: TOM JACKSON

A partnership between Dell, Microsoft, Capital Factory and 1776 has announced the launch of international startup platform Union, aimed at supporting the next billion entrepreneurs by supporting and connecting them and removing barriers to innovation regardless of location.

Dell, Microsoft launch online platform supporting global startups, hubs

©alphaspirit via 123RF

The platform is set to benefit African startups, with 1776 and Microsoft already active on the continent, and is accessible through the Startup Federation – a worldwide network with already more than 30 startup campuses and mega-hubs.

Union will provide entrepreneurs anywhere in the world with the ability to reach the people, resources and education they need to take their ideas from seed to scale. It has been designed by 1776’s team of engineers and aided by insights from incubators, accelerators, hubs and experts around the world.

The platform enables entrepreneurs to find content and courses in business-building, tap elite mentors in their industries for advice, consult experts in skills like marketing, sales, engineering and human resources, and connect with potential investors, customers and business partners.

“Smart entrepreneurs with highly promising ideas exist everywhere on the planet, and it’s time to stop letting location limit young companies’ ability to grow,” said Donna Harris, co-founder of 1776.

“With technology connecting a network of local startup hubs, together we can empower entrepreneurs everywhere to share classes, content, mentors and other critical resources needed to succeed.”

Entrepreneurship hubs around the world will also be able to share the tools and programming playbooks needed to operate a world-class startup centre, with Capital Factory to play a key role in this effort.

“Many cities lack a robust networks of local mentors and investors to help startup companies grow,” said Joshua Baer, executive director of Capital Factory in Austin. “With the Startup Federation and Union, every city can give their startups access to the best help and programming from around the world. We’re thrilled to be the first to join.”

Karen Quintos, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Dell, said entrepreneurs powered global economies, creating 70% of all new jobs in the world and up to 90 per cent in some emerging markets.

“Dell and 1776 are partnering to enable entrepreneurs by creating avenues for entrepreneurs, wherever they are in the world, to access the experts, channels, customers and investors they need to take their ideas to scale and drive job creation in their communities,” she said.

Larry Orecklin, vice president for developer experience and chief evangelist at Microsoft, said the company was excited to be part of Union to help entrepreneurs take their ideas to the next level.

“Microsoft is committed to equipping innovative startups with the tools, mentorship and customer access that they need to grow. Through our partnership with 1776 and Union, we’ll be able to reach and support more startups, even faster,” he said.

DESIGN NEWS

15 SA students shortlisted in Nestlé Art Project

A panel of judges - including Gordon Cook, the competition's principal curator and founding member of Vega School of Brand Leadership - has selected 15 South African art students as finalists in the Nestlé Art Project.

Nestlé Art Project - Creatives Awards Judge, Maria McCloy

The Art Project is part of Nestlé South Africa’s centenary commemoration as the nutrition, health and wellness company celebrates 100 years of its contribution to the economy of South Africa.

“Nestlé South Africa believes that the youth have a huge role to play in the future of our country and company. 100 years of doing business in a country is a great milestone, which we wanted to celebrate with all South Africans – including youth. We wanted to offer young people an opportunity to express how they see our company and products. With 95% of our products being manufactured locally with unique packaging designs, we challenged art students to use our packaging innovatively through the Nestlé Art Project,” said Ravi Pillay, Nestlé South Africa’s Corporate Affairs Director.

Tertiary and high school students were briefed to consider South Africa’s social, cultural, historical and environmental contexts as well as Nestlé’s contribution to the local economy when creating their work. The company received more than 70 entries from art students in Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and North West provinces.

The judging panel was made up of South African art luminaries including gold Loeries recipient Ngkabiseng Motau and art gallery curator Sanele Manqele.

Additionally, two special panels of judges, the first comprising arts and culture journalists and the second comprising creative industry players such as SABC 1 presenter Lunga Shabalala, award-winning rapper Gigi Lemayne, and entrepreneur and pop culture commentator, Maria McCloy, will make special selections for the Media and Creatives Choice awards.

The winners will be announced on 26 July 2016 with each secondary and tertiary student walking away with a cash prize of R25,000 and R50,000 respectively. Certificates of merit will also be awarded to deserving students for their outstanding performance.

The Nestlé Art Project finalists are:

High School finalists:

Tertiary institutions finalists:

EDUCATION NEWS

Inspiring key notes and content at Eduweek with SABC Education powered by Intel

ISSUED BY: SPINTELLIGENT

Advancing educational knowledge in Africa

EduWeek with SABC Education powered by Intel takes place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg, on Wednesday and Thursday, 29-30 June. EduWeek is all about advancing educational knowledge in Africa and responding directly to the needs and expectations of the industry. This year, EduWeek are proud to announce the incredible line-up for their opening and closing key notes, which are always a highlight of the event as well as some other not-to-be-missed happenings over the two day education indaba.

Inspiring key notes and content at Eduweek with SABC Education powered by Intel

EduWeek with SABC Education powered by Intel is proud to announce the opening Keynote, which will take place at 10h00 in the E-Tech Theatre. Here, visitors to EduWeek will have the opportunity to listen to high profile speakers from Intel, Microsoft and the Department of Basic Education as well as our keynote speaker, Maurice de Hond, CEO and Founder, Steve JobsSchools.

Steve JobsSchools have recently been recognised as the ‘Most Innovative Schools in the World’ by US-based TechInsider magazine, which is why it is incredible to see that two Steve JobsSchools were launched in South Africa and Africa on 23 June 2016. EduWeek are honored that Founder Maurice de Hond, will be the opening keynote Speaker this year.

The Steve JobsSchools embrace the latest technologies in education and learning, equipping learners with the skills they’ll need for 2025 and beyond. The concept is based on the drivers of choice, collaboration and challenge, coupled with innovative technologies to develop personalised learning.

The internationally acclaimed Steve JobsSchool model is based on every child having an independent learning plan (ILP), centred on their own way of learning, their strengths and choices. The school is available 24/7 and the learning plan, educational programmes and educational apps are accessed from the learners' smart devices and supported by special workshops, experiments and projects at school.

This year’s closing keynote will take place in the E-Tech Theatre from 17h00 on Thursday, 30 June, and promises to be an out-of-this-world experience! With a key focus on the importance of STEM, visitors will not want to miss out on the opportunity to learn from hands-on activities showcasing exciting science experiments that will awaken your curiosity and imagination on how to teach STEM subjects. The Nutty Scientist will display how such entertaining activities will ensure students appreciate and enjoy all STEM subjects and promote positive results from all grades and ages. There will also be a live video message from Dr Ellen Stofan, Chief Scientist of NASA, and Charles Bolden, Chief Administrator for NASA at 17h35. The topic will be: "The importance of STEM in education in Africa, encouraging young girls to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and space". The final highlight of the closing keynote will be the Stylco Competition Give-Away at 17h40. Here, the winner of the digital classroom will be announced and will be handed over to the lucky recipient of the prize. Anyone who has entered the competition needs to ensure they are present in the keynote audience in order to receive the prize – a digital classroom that will revolutionise the way in which the winner of it will teach. This is a not-to-be-missed closing keynote!

Says Fotoula Fatouros, Content Producer of EduWeek, “EduWeek is proud to announce the keynote content for this year’s event. EduWeek is all about advancing education in Africa and our keynotes and the over 200 hours of free workshop content taking place over the two days offers attendees a real opportunity to be exposed to subject matter that tackles the educational challenges of today, giving visitors the opportunity to be at the forefront of Africa’s transformation by being exposed to the experiences of leaders, strategic thinkers and entrepreneurs from across the globe.”

Some of the other not-to-be-missed highlights of this year's event include:

Hour of Code: Visit stand Q5 and find out why coding and other tools can help embed innovation in schools, even in the midst of chaotic environments. Allow curiousity to drive development in your institution with The Hour of Code.

Sustainability Zone: The theme for #EduWeek16 is” Education for Sustainable Development. Leave a message as symbol of promise on our sustainability tree as we advance educational knowledge together at EduWeek.

Speaker Corner and Chill Zone Sponsored by Waltons: This zone was designed for visitors to interact with our passionate speakers in a relaxed area as they exchange views and ideas.

Microsoft in Education Partner Village: Visit stands M3 and N3 where Microsoft and their partners will be hosting demonstrations and workshops. Find attached the schedule of events Microsoft has on offer at EduWeek 2016.

Networking Function: Build new connections at the networking function on Wednesday, 29 June, 17h00, in the EduWeek visitor lunch area. Complimentary drinks and refreshments available.

EduWeek Awards: Join peers for an evening of fun, thrills and joyous applause at the EduWeek Awards on Wednesday, 29 June, 19h00.

Floor Tours: EduWeek will be hosting daily floor tours where visitors have the opportunity to be taken on a guided tour around the exhibition floor where they also stand a chance to win awesome prizes.

E-Tech Café: Unwind in the E-Tech Café which was created for visitors to meet and greet over 120 of EduWeek’s exhibitors.

Robotics Session: Join coach Michael Ettershank, Manager of the Robot Science Project, in an informative and interactive workshop on The Robot Science Project from UJ TechnoLab. To attend the robotics session contact Fotoula.fotouros@spintelligent.com.

Being a free-to-attend event means that EduWeek can only be made possible by the incredible sponsors and partners that come together in support of this annual educational indaba, these partners include: Headline Partner, Intel; Diamond Sponsor Microsoft; Platinum Sponsor, Pearson; and Gold Sponsor, Dell.

EduWeek with SABC Education powered by Intel takes place on 29 and 30 June from 10am to 6pm at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. For more information, visit: www.educationweek.co.za.

Tuesday, 28 June 2016

IOL

Shocking video of teacher beating girls emerges

CRIME & COURTS / 24 Jun '16, 12:45am

Bernadette Wolhuter

Durban - Shocking video footage has emerged which appears to show a female teacher pulling teenage schoolgirls up to the front of a classroom, positioning them over a chair and beating them.

The school from where the footage emanated had not yet been identified on Thursday, but the language used suggested it was taken somewhere in KwaZulu Natal.

When the video was shot was also unknown, but it was posted to Facebook by Makhi Zihlangu - who identifies himself as a teacher - on Tuesday and has since been shared more than 7 000 times and viewed more than 200 000 times.

The Department of Education in KZN, when alerted to the video, responded furiously and said the teacher concerned, if indeed from KZN, would soon be “history”.

Towards the beginning of the footage, the teacher walks towards the person taking the film, whose hand falls into the frame, as if he is trying to hide the camera. It looks as if it was filmed by one of the girls’ classmates, on a cellphone camera, and starts as one girl’s punishment ends, with her folding over in two while she stumbles away. Another girl gingerly approaches the chair. She shuts her eyes and tenses as the teacher, armed with what appears to be a stick or piece of plastic, strikes her. The girl winces as the blow connects with the back of her legs the first time. The second time, her spine arches and she walks away, but the teacher hauls her back to the chair, repositions her and strikes her again.

The girl is then made to stand with her hands out and flinches as the teacher whips at her open palms several times.

Four more girls are summoned to the chair, but they take their beatings in their stride and stand stoically as they are hit repeatedly.

The province’s Department of Education is on the warpath.

“She is history,” spokesman Muzi Mahlambi said of the teacher involved, after viewing the video for himself yesterday. He called the footage “brutal” and did not know how the woman had managed to “creep into the system”.

“But she must start packing her bags,” he said. “Corporal punishment is a crime. There’s no two ways about it.”

Mahlambi said the MEC, Mthandeni Dlungwane, wanted to visit the school as soon as possible.

“If we knew which school it was, we would be on our way there now,” he said.

Investigations were under way yesterday and the video was being distributed locally and nationally. The SAPS was also investigating, Mahlambi said. He was confident the teacher, whose face is clearly visible in the video, would be brought to book.

Corporal punishment was banned in South African schools in the mid-1990s and research published in the Perspectives in Education Journal last year showed that punishing pupils for bad behaviour with humiliation, or by administering corporal punishment, only aggravated disciplinary problems at schools. The research also indicated that harsh punishment was “toxic” to children who had experienced rejection and abuse - leading to more disciplinary problems.

But Equal Education deputy general secretary Ntuthuzo Ndzomo - who was “highly concerned” about the video - also said the administering of corporal punishment was still prevalent at South African schools. Equal Education recently conducted a social audit at Isilimela Secondary School, in the Western Cape, and found “learners experienced various threats to their safety on the way to and at school”.

Corporal punishment was one of the most prominent threats recorded and 93% of the pupils reported experiencing and/or witnessing corporal punishment at school, the rights organisation said.

“Many of these punishments were carried out using pipes and other materials.

“We call on learners and parents to expose incidents like this to us or the department,” Ndzomo said.

Attempts to reach Zihlangu on Thursday were unsuccessful, but the text accompanying his video on Tuesday, read: “At this age and error (sic), I never thought I would see such brutal punishment of kids, especially girls. #coporalpunishmentmustfall”. Then on Wednesday, he penned a lengthy post and said, among other things, that he had been threatened after sharing the footage.

The Mercury

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Monday, 27 June 2016

Mining News

Why we should nurture young talent in SA's mining industry

There is an ever-increasing demand for young graduates entering the mining services industry to have both the educational skills and the practical experience required for to build careers and work effectively in this continually expanding and complex sector.

Intern, Shirley Mbazima with UAS HR manager, Thamie Nyoni and operations manager, Sidney Sephoka

“We have a generation of young people leaving university with a vision for success and they are aware that real-time, hands-on experience is a must for their own personal growth and their career development plan,” explains Thamie Nyoni, HR officer for Umzamo Analytical Services (UAS). “However, through research and experience, we know that our local mining and mining services industry does not have enough experiential learning programmes to answer the pressing needs of the student, nor the demands of the industry.”

Nyoni believes that for South Africa’s mining sector to flourish and to remain attractive in terms of career choice, graduate and internship programmes should be increased and that these must be structured to create a rich learning environment with strong full-time employment opportunities at the forefront. He goes on to explain how local firms can use sustainable internships to ensure that more efficient and experienced professionals enter the mining sector with a strong career foundation and a bright future.

Establish a platform

Instituting a structured graduate internship programme will help attract the best and brightest young individuals to your company.

“Through internships, students develop work-based skills and their knowledge is enhanced through an experience that broadens their understanding of work as it applies to their area of study,” says Nyoni.

Recruit selectively

Nyoni advises recruiting interns who are self-driven and goal oriented. Interview them and select the best, which, in his opinion are those who show the willingness to learn.

“Interns bring new blood into an organisation, which means new ideas and innovativeness. Therefore as an organisation, we use that to our advantage by building up on their inexperience as opposed to hiring experienced individuals who may bring with them bad habits that may compromise our quality of service,” says Nyoni. As difficult and tedious a process as recruitment may be, Nyoni says that firms will see the fruits thereof in the long run.

Institute meaningful learning programmes

Sustainable internships make getting hold of real business world experience more accessible to more students. It is important that companies have set procedures and structures in place to ensure that interns are learning something meaningful such as job specific tasks and dealing with clients.

Recognise and reward hard work

Companies should make an effort to recognise and reward hard work among interns and entry-level graduates. Higher salaries come as an incentive to interns who are proactive, display proficiency across multiple disciplines and show a greater level of commitment to their work. “

Nyoni concludes by encouraging firms to try internship programmes. “If in the past, organisational complexity and the unknown have been a deterrent, you may find that interns can contribute significantly to your daily activities. It seems that more firms engage on an educational level by donating money for bursaries, but students need assistance after graduating as well – especially given the current job market.

“One is not enough without the other. Education and experience; there is a reason they are the first two titles on a resume.”

Education News

New book on student politics in Africa

In mid-June 2016, 'Student Politics in Africa: Representation and Activism', edited by Thierry M Luescher, Manja Klemencic, and James Otieno Jowi, was launched. The book has brought together the work and questions of eighteen scholars who are concerned with the issues of higher-education development, governance and student politics in Africa.

Taabo Mugume, Sam Masingi, and Dr Thierry Luescher at the launch of the book, Student Politics in Africa: Representation and Activism.<br>Photo: Hatsu Mphatsoe

Taabo Mugume, Sam Masingi, and Dr Thierry Luescher at the launch of the book, Student Politics in Africa: Representation and Activism.
Photo: Hatsu Mphatsoe

Dr Luescher is an assistant director in the Directorate of Institutional Research and Academic Planning (DIRAP) on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

The book focuses on the generation of new knowledge about student politics in Africa. Dr Luescher explained that the inspiration behind the book was based on the importance of how the voice of students is represented in higher education. Steady increase has been seen over the decades across Africa of students being involved in the decision-making structures of universities.

Dr Luescher says, “#FeesMustFall is an example of student activism in response to the problem where student leaders have not been heard about student funding, especially assistance to poor and middle income students. The book shows that the South African student movement is not unique, but actually part of a continent-wide – indeed a global – resurgence of student opposition against neo-liberal policies in higher education.”

Another question raised focused on ensuring a healthy relationship between student activism and political parties. It was explained as being a different process across different African countries. “While both go hand-in-hand, it is important to ensure that there is a regulation between the two so that student leaders do not become captive to parties and are indebted to them,” said Dr Luescher.

The book will serve as a great way for both student activists and the structures that exist in institutions to gain an understanding of each’s perspective and how to have a more amicable relationship.

Africa Biz