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Nearly 70% of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa invested in technology in the past 12 months to help boost growth and resilience - an indication that SMEs are embracing the positive impact of technology. There are numerous opportunities that unlock the full potential of digitalisation for these businesses and the continent, which means addressing barriers, such as infrastructure, connectivity, and the high cost of implementing technology, and developing best practice frameworks for better collaboration. These are findings from a new report, titled ‘Levelling the SME Playing Field’, jointly launched by Vodacom Group, Vodafone Group and Safaricom. The report is the sixth research paper under the Africa.connected campaign, which aims to drive sustainable development by closing the digital divides in Africa’s key economic sectors through strategic partnerships. “This report explores the specific challenges SMEs face in Africa and unpacks what needs to be done to help thes

Purchasing a new suitcase can be an exciting activity, bringing with it anticipation for all the travelling to come. But, with the hundreds of different options available at vastly differing price points, it can be tough to decide which one to pick.  To help you find your next perfect suitcase, FlySafair is sharing some advice on what to consider when shopping.   Aim for the middle When you hand your suitcase over at check-in, it has to go through the airport system before being loaded on the aircraft. This system includes a number of conveyors and chutes, some of which involve falling from fair heights and other times being loaded on and off wagons by hand. Keeping this in mind, it’s important to be realistic about your suitcase. Understand that each trip will result in a bit of wear and tear. Make sure you invest in a suitcase that will be hardy enough to withstand this handling. Cheaper suitcases are often made of more brittle materials, which tend to snap and break easily. Th

Kena Health’s  Clinical Care Lead, Dr Chido Siame, says that the  Gauteng Department of Health’s announcement  report that cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have increased significantly is concerning. "Rising STIs are a global concern, and it indicates that the health education and management systems are not working as they should, and also that we all need to take greater care when it comes to this important area of our lives," she says.  The Department says that between April and December 2023, 67 400 males were diagnosed with Male Urethritis Syndrome (MUS) at public health facilities across Gauteng—a rise of 3% against 2020. MUS reliably indicates a new STI, with gonorrhoea and chlamydia increasing in South Africa.  Aside from their own negative health impacts, STIs also feed into the vicious cycle of HIV infection. An individual with an STI is more vulnerable to HIV, and South Africa remains an HIV hotspot. Despite great progress, the country still has aroun

  With upgraded security features & a more vivid viewing experience, the new Galaxy A series devices democratise mobile experiences for all Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.  has unveiled the Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G, two smartphones that demonstrate Samsung’s ongoing commitment to making the best of mobile innovations available to everyone. Both devices come with extensive security features such as Knox Vault, as well as new photography capabilities inspired by Galaxy’s flagship camera innovations and a stunning display that adjusts to users’ surroundings with Vision Booster.   “With the Galaxy A series, we are expanding our latest technologies to a wider audience so that more people can benefit from them,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We are excited to open up even more possibilities on the Galaxy A series this year, including offering Samsung Knox Vault for the first time on this line-up. We’re proud to enable Galaxy A

The recently released Galaxy S24 series opened up new possibilities to connect across cultures with the groundbreaking power of Galaxy AI. You can break down language barriers   —   all thanks to the secure on-device AI.   And now, with its latest updates, the Galaxy Buds series is making these smart features even more seamless.    By introducing a range of hands-free, AI-powered features, Galaxy Buds’ upgrades not only put you at the center of a crystal-clear sound experience – they also connect you to the heart of the Samsung ecosystem. Whether paired with the Galaxy S24 series, the Galaxy Tab series, Samsung TVs and more, the all-new convenient and intelligent capabilities of the Galaxy Buds help you better tune in to the world around you.    Barrier-Free Communication With Galaxy Buds   Tired of feeling lost in the translation during conversations? The Galaxy S24 series’ real-time translation features lets you talk to anyone, anywhere and this barrier-free communication gets even b

In our current day-to-day activities the convenience of buying goods or paying for services online is as much a necessity as it is a luxury. However, payment ease and security remain 2 of the main reasons why many consumers don't change their shopping preference to online.   Therefore, Nedbank has committed to leveraging its leadership position in digital transactional solutions to modernise the online shopping experience for its clients, and its latest innovative offering is evidence of this commitment in action.   Nedbank Direct EFT is a new payment solution that offers Nedbank clients the ability to pay securely using EFT when shopping online. Nedbank account holders can pay for goods and services online using Nedbank Direct EFT, providing choice when selecting a method to pay, such as credit and debit cards.  The EFT service seamlessly integrates with the online shopping journey and offers a simple and secure payment alternative that leverages the robust infrastructure of digit

Samsung Electronics has once again demonstrated its leadership in the global TV market, marking an unprecedented 18-year streak at the forefront of the industry.   Market research firm  Omdia  reported that Samsung has achieved a 30.08% share of the global TV market in 2023, reinforcing its status as the industry leader since 2006. This success is largely due to the company’s strategic focus on premium and large-screen TV categories, driven by its cutting-edge QLED and OLED models.   Samsung asserted notable leadership in the premium TV sector – specifically for TVs over 75 inches and priced above R46 000. The company has recorded an impressive 60.5% market share in terms of sales for TVs priced over R46 000, while also maintaining a lead with 33.9% sales share for TVs over 75 inches. In addition, thanks to robust sales of  98-inch models , TVs over the 90 inches have maintained the lead with a 30.4% market share.   Building on its success in the ultra-large and  high-end TV  market, S

Canon Europe announces the release of a new free-of-charge firmware update for the EOS C500 Mark II, further enhancing the camera’s professional functionality.   The firmware update adds 12-bit Cinema RAW Light formats: LT (Light), ST (Standard), and HQ (High Quality), improving workflow flexibility and providing more options post-production. Previously made available for the EOS R5 C and EOS C70, this highly requested feature allows users to select a scalable range of internal RAW recording data rates that either further enhance the fidelity of the sensor output or reduce file sizes – all while maintaining the high-quality 12-bit colour information.   The EOS C500 Mark II features a 5.9K full-frame sensor, internal RAW recording, interchangeable lens mount, and highly configurable modular design. The camera is a popular choice for television and cinematic productions due to its impressive image quality, extensive connectivity, and compact body.    Aron Randhawa, Senior Product Special