by Tech Talk | Mar 4, 2024 | Articles
Johannesburg – The Southern African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA), in partnership with Investec, is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its inaugural Audit and Finance Indaba. The prestigious event, which is billed to bring together leading auditors and financial professionals from across the continent to discuss the latest trends, developments, and best practices in the field, is scheduled to take place at the Investec Pretoria Office on Friday, 15th of March 2024.
The Institute has lined up high-profile speakers, who include the Accountant General of South Africa and keynote speaker Shabeer Khan, Phillip Rakgwale, the Chief Audit Executive (Acting) City of Ekurhuleni, SAIPA Executive Prof Rashied Small, Accounting Standard Board CEO Jeanine Poggiolini, Sunday Times Deputy Editor Makhudu Sefara, Omar Kadwa, the Director at SNG Thornton and the CEO of IRBA, Imre Nagy, among others.
Rakgwale will give a presentation on ‘Emerging trends on public sector audits in the past three years (2021-2023) both PFMA and MFMA’ while Nagy, will speak about the journey of rotational audits in South Africa: challenges & success stories.
The theme for Indaba is, ‘The Era of Big Data and Cybercrime’ and as part of the programme, SAIGA will also host a dedicated exhibition booth, where attendees can learn more about the professional body’s initiatives, publications, and training programmes. In addition to insightful discussions and networking opportunities, the half-day hybrid event will offer attendees a chance to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours.
There will be six CPD hours allocated to registered participants.
Russel Morena, the SAIGA Chief Executive Officer, said: “One of the cornerstones of the institute is to be a trusted advisor and capacity-building partner to the public sector in areas related to development, service delivery, accountability, and governance, and to protect the interests of the public sector accounting and auditing. Therefore, this inaugural SAIGA Audit & Finance Indaba is inspired by the INTOSAI and IFAC ever-evolving standards and the South African legislative and Treasury frameworks.’
As the premier professional body for government auditors in the Southern African region, SAIGA is dedicated to fostering excellence and integrity in the public sector. Through this event, SAIGA aims to provide a platform for engaging with industry peers, exchanging knowledge and insights, and gaining valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the profession.
Morena added that the indaba, which will focus on the external audit and finance areas that impacts public entities and the role of the professional auditors and accountants, will offer a unique opportunity for SAIGA members, stakeholders, partners, and industry professionals to network, learn and contribute to the global conversation on government auditing and finance.
“We are excited to invite all industry professionals and stakeholders to join us at the Inaugural SAIGA Audit and Finance Indaba and we are confident that this event will contribute to the global conversation on government auditing and finance and showcase SAIGA’s expertise and thought leadership in the field. We look forward to welcoming you in Pretoria,” said Mr. Morena.
by Tech Talk | Feb 27, 2024 | Articles
The South African creative industry is at a critical juncture, and urgent action is needed to protect the rights and livelihoods of content creators. The impending adoption of the Copyright Amendment Bill poses a significant threat to the future of the industry, and it is imperative that all creatives in South Africa come together to stop this bill from becoming law.
The current provisions of the Copyright Bill, particularly the introduction of a ‘fair use’ provision, could have devastating effects on the ability of content creators to control and benefit from their work. This provision undermines the fundamental rights of creators and threatens to cause long-term harm to the very people it claims to protect. Additionally, the proposed limitation on copyright duration to 25 years and the burdensome reporting and registration requirements impose undue administrative burdens on creators and service providers, hindering the growth and sustainability of the industry.
Further, the provision allowing for a ‘contract override’ undermines the autonomy and bargaining power of creators, jeopardising their ability to negotiate fair and equitable terms with publishers and other stakeholders. This threatens to weaken the local creative ecosystem and diminish opportunities for collaboration and innovation within the industry.
It is essential for the government to engage in meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders, including creators, industry representatives, and legal experts, to address the shortcomings of the current bill and ensure that any amendments are in the best interests of the South African creative community as a whole.
Therefore, we urgently call upon all creatives in South Africa to join us in signing this petition to stop the adoption of the Copyright Amendment Bill. The National Assembly is due to meet on the 29th of February 2024, and we have only a few days to make our voices heard. It is critical that we act now and urge the National Assembly to protect the future of the creative industry by rejecting this harmful bill.
We cannot afford to sit idly by while the rights and livelihoods of our fellow creators are threatened. We must come together as a united creative community to ensure that the government takes our concerns seriously and makes the necessary amendments to safeguard our rights, promote innovation, and foster a thriving and sustainable creative industry in South Africa.
This is an urgent call to all creatives in the South African industry and the nation as a whole. We must act now to protect our future. Join us in signing this petition and making our voices heard. The time to act is now. – www.Tech-Talk.co.za
STOP CAB!
#ActNow #StopCAB #StoptheCopyrightAmendmentBill #ProtectCreatives #ProtectCreativity
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by Tech Talk | Feb 27, 2024 | Articles
Minister of Finance, Mr. Enoch Godongwana made a lot of promises and announced a raft of budget allocations that will be going to state-owned entities as well as provinces including municipalities in his 2024 Budget Speech. The Southern African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA), Chief Executive Officer, Russel Morena, delves deeper into the Budget Speech and explores the question of whether or not South Africa can succeed in overcoming these challenges.
Morena argues that there are not only many weaknesses in the South African system but also he points to the challenges, the main one being that of economic growth and employment creation. On the other hand, it is the performance of the state and service delivery, and on top of it all is the debt burden that seems to be increasing every year.
According to Morena, it is clear that South Africa is facing significant challenges on multiple fronts. “The economy is struggling to achieve sustained growth, and this is further compounded by the need for job creation. Additionally, the performance of the state as well as service delivery has been a cause for concern. The mounting debt burden is placing a significant strain on the country’s financial resources,” says Morena.
Although he admits South Africa is taking steps in the right directions, Morena, however, points out that the country is really in survival mode, and when looking at this budget and the fact that the minister had to dip into the golden reserve account in order to keep State date debt under control and reduce the borrowing requirement to levels that wouldn’t scare the living daylights out of ordinary citizens, is a clear indication of exactly how tight things are.
Morena, in his analysis of the Budget Speech, does acknowledge the efforts being made to address these challenges, however, he expresses a sense of a lack of urgency and the need for decisive action. He also states that the decision to tap into the country’s reserve account to keep the state debt under control is indicative of the tight fiscal environment and the need for prudent financial management, pointing out that while this may be a necessary step it could underscore the severity of the financial constraints facing the country.
Moreover, Morena highlighted the need for effective policy implementation, particularly in key sectors such as electricity, rail and port infrastructure. While the government may have the right policy framework in place, he says the pace of implementation has been slow, hindering progress and economic development. “This “two steps forward, one step back” approach is a cause for concern and underscores the need for greater efficiency and expediency in driving economic reforms,” explains Morena.
As auditors, Morena says: “We are calling for a more holistic approach to addressing the challenges facing our economy. This includes not only looking at tax policy and revenue collection but also addressing the issues of state capacity, infrastructure investment and economic growth. As SAIGA, we believe that a collaborative effort between government, business and civil society is needed to drive sustainable economic development and create opportunities for all citizens. This will require a comprehensive and coordinated approach that tackles the root causes of inequality and unemployment, while also ensuring efficient and transparent public expenditure.”
Morena further adds that the Institute will continue to monitor closely the country’s economic and fiscal landscape and provide valuable insights to support informed decision-making and policy formulation. With concerted and strategic efforts, he says it is hoped that South Africa will be able to overcome the financial obstacles and achieve sustainable economic growth and development.
by Tech Talk | Feb 27, 2024 | Articles
In today’s digital age, the media and communication industry in South Africa is experiencing a major transformation, thanks to the rise of big data. Big data has become a game-changer for the industry, offering unprecedented opportunities to understand audience behaviour, personalise content, and optimise advertising strategies.
From audience insights to targeted advertising, the possibilities of big data are endless. Media and Communication Enthusiast, Andile April writes about how big data is shaking up the South African media and communication industry.
The media and communication industry in South Africa has long been known for its diverse and dynamic nature, with a wide range of print, broadcast, and digital platforms catering to the needs and interests of different demographic groups. However, the industry has faced challenges in understanding and engaging with its audience on a deeper level.
Enter big data. With the help of advanced analytics and data mining techniques, media companies in South Africa are now able to gather and analyse massive amounts of information about their audience’s preferences, habits, and interactions with content. This wealth of data is invaluable for understanding what content resonates with the audience, which platforms they prefer, and how they engage with advertising.
One of the most significant impacts of big data in the South African media and communication industry is the ability to personalise content and recommendations for the audience. By leveraging the power of data analytics, media companies can create targeted content that is tailored to the specific interests and preferences of their audience segments. This not only enhances the audience’s experience but also increases engagement and loyalty.
Further, big data has revolutionised advertising in the media and communication industry. With the ability to accurately target and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns, media companies can now offer highly targeted and relevant advertising opportunities to their clients. This not only benefits advertisers by reaching the right audience but also helps media companies maximise their advertising revenue.
In addition to content personalisation and advertising optimisation, big data is also being used to improve operational efficiency within media companies. From optimising distribution channels to streamlining production processes, data-driven insights are helping media companies make more informed and strategic decisions to enhance their overall performance.
However, as with any revolutionary technology, the adoption of big data in the South African media and communication industry also presents challenges. Data privacy and security issues are at the forefront, as media companies must navigate the ethical and legal implications of collecting and utilising consumer data.
Moreover, the industry must also address the skills gap in data analytics and management. To fully harness the potential of big data, media companies need skilled professionals who can effectively interpret and apply data insights to drive growth and innovation.
In conclusion, big data is undoubtedly revolutionising the South African media and communication industry. With its potential to personalise content, optimise advertising, and enhance operational efficiency, big data is empowering media companies to better understand and engage with their audience. However, as the industry continues to embrace big data, it must also address the associated challenges to ensure the responsible and ethical use of consumer data. By doing so, the South African media and communication industry can truly leverage the power of big data to drive its future growth and success.
by Tech Talk | Mar 15, 2023 | Articles
From climate change and energy issues to the rising cost to do business in Africa amidst skills shortages and disrupted supply chains, enterprises of every size are facing immense challenges right now. Vodacom Business knows that in the world of business, obstacles reign. As a techco that believes technology can empower enterprises to thrive, Vodacom Business is unveiling its new brand strategy that has been designed to help organisations turn these problems into possibilities, with the new tagline ‘Turn to Us’.
“Businesses now more than ever are seeking support, but in such an uncertain operating environment, who do they turn to for guidance? In addition, digital technology can play a key role in strengthening business resilience and boosting productivity, but many enterprises lack the expertise to use connectivity effectively. At Vodacom Business we are listening more to what our clients want and need, and working with them to find solutions together so that they can achieve their goals in these tough times. Our new brand vision is to be a trusted partner for businesses, empower them with technology solutions that drive progress and inspire innovation, and become a part of their success story,” says William Mzimba, Chief Officer at Vodacom Business.
Vodacom Business’s new brand positioning, underscored by recent market research and critical client insights, highlighted an opportunity across small to large businesses for a trusted partner, who could provide customisable, reliable and affordable connectivity products and services. The changing economic landscape requires businesses like Vodacom to be more attentive to collaborating with clients to help them succeed.
Vodacom Business offers enterprise clients a full suite of mobile, wireless, satellite and fixed-line connectivity solutions, internet and virtual private network services, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, cloud hosting and security services, as well as eGovernment services. The Turn to Us campaign builds on the brand’s B2B journey, in which it has been supporting digital transformation in targeted industries, including mining and manufacturing, retail and logistics, the public sector and small to medium enterprises (SMEs), in South Africa and markets across Africa.
“We are now taking Vodacom Business one step further, as a collaborative connectivity partner, to help harness the potential of all businesses, which are critical for our continent’s sustainable socio-economic development. Our strategy supports the Vodacom Group’s broader purpose of going further together in driving a digital future where no one is left behind,” adds Mzimba.
The rebranding campaign, accompanied by emotive radio and TV commercials, showcases and brings to life how businesses can find new opportunities through adversity with the support of Vodacom Business and its technology solutions.
Editor@tech-talk.co.za
