MTN has been named South Africa’s topquality mobile network, according to a report by MyBroadband Insights. The study analyzed 288,210 speed tests conducted by 7,092 mobile data users between April and June. MTN achieved the highest average download speed of 83.08 Mbps, followed by Vodacom at 79.70 Mbps and Cell C at 54.50 Mbps. Overall, South Africa’s average mobile download speed increased to 70.41 Mbps from last year’s 62.27 Mbps.
The University of South Africa (Unisa) is facing controversy over the alleged misuse of AI during exams. Despite the ban on the use of ChatGPT, an AI tool, during assessments, it was allegedly used in exam papers, leading to an academic uproar. Meanwhile, other institutions like CPUT, UWC, SU, and UCT are exploring ethical AI applications in education, establishing guidelines and training programs to advance teaching, learning, and research methods. While the controversy highlights the need for careful steering through the ethics of AI in education, institutions are working to establish standards for others to emulate.
The Annual Coding Competition in Cape Town is a yearly event held in libraries to promote technological literacy in the city. Over 30 teams are expected to participate this year, and highperforming teams will progress to the national and global stages, gaining international recognition. The coding initiative is a collaborative project that aims to democratize technology and cultivate social interaction and recreational engagement amongst participants, fostering a culture of curiosity, expansion, and innovation.
Cape Town libraries are hosting a coding initiative that aims to make coding accessible to all, including those without access to costly resources. The initiative is a competitive contest for young coders, with participants competing for a chance to advance to the nationwide and World Tournament competitions. The libraries are evolving into dynamic hubs where coding proficiency is highly esteemed, and the initiative has garnered global recognition.
The City of [city name] is on the verge of completing a nationwide software upgrade programme for prepaid electricity meters, with almost 99% of the estimated 604,500 meters successfully upgraded. The upgrade process is designed to be customerfriendly, with support available for those who need it. Failure to upgrade meters by December 2024 may cause power supply issues, emphasizing the importance of timely action. The City’s forwardthinking approach sets it apart from other primary utilities, and its extensive support system ensures a smooth transition for residents.
Cape Town is taking impressive steps towards embracing green transportation, with a focus on the MyCiTi programme and incorporating 30 electric buses in Phase 2A. The city has allocated R668 million to MyCiTi buses in the next three years and plans to electrify its entire vehicle fleet, including waste collection trucks, light delivery vehicles, sedans, and hatchbacks. This approach is part of a broader goal to convert the entire vehicle fleet to electric power and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The city’s initial step towards electrification was a successful pilot project involving five fully electric BMW i3s for the Traffic Services Department.
Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) is revolutionizing the country’s aviation industry with its cuttingedge biometric and digital identity technology. The incorporation of facial recognition technology and OneID will lead to faster immigration processing times and a hasslefree experience for passengers. Acsa plans to implement robotics and AI to augment selfservice functions and cater to food and beverage services and retail. With their groundbreaking projects and collaborations, Acsa is set to establish a standard for airports worldwide, promising a more advanced and efficient airport experience for South Africans.
Cape Town’s Brackenfell Revenue Department will temporarily shut down on June 8th, 2024, as part of the city’s commitment to digital transformation. During this time, residents can use Cape Town’s online payment alternatives, and other offices will provide services. The city’s shift towards digital services enhances accessibility, convenience, and efficiency, marking a remarkable stride towards the future. The city has formed alliances with a vast network of retailers, including Shoprite/Checkers, Pick n Pay, PEP, Woolworths, and USave, where residents can pay their bills, and technology has further streamlined these transactions.
South Africa’s municipal offices are temporarily closing physical operations on election day, encouraging citizens to use the range of online services available. The city’s digital initiative to enhance user experience reflects its commitment to adopting digital technology, including an online booking system for appointments and QR code payments. This move towards digitalization is a testament to the city’s dedication to providing efficient services and building a futuristic city where resident convenience takes center stage.
Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate is investing in advanced mechanical filtration screens to upgrade its sewer pump station infrastructure, with a total investment of R8.1 million. These custommade screens act as a barrier against large objects that should not enter the sewer system and reduce the risk of overflows. The screens are easy to operate and are being installed at various pump stations across the city. This ongoing initiative aims to protect infrastructure and the urban environment, enhancing the quality of life for residents.
Dr. James Keaveney, a renowned physicist at the University of Cape Town, has been awarded the New Frontiers Research Award for his work on affordable medical imaging for cancer research. His goal is to improve the efficiency and costeffectiveness of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanning, which is essential for detecting various health conditions, by implementing quantumdot nanocrystals. This innovation has the potential to upgrade PET efficiency and expand its use to other areas. Keaveney’s recognition highlights the transformative power of groundbreaking research, and the award’s substantial investment aims to strengthen and advance South Africa’s research excellence.
Cape Town’s first Innovation Hackathon aimed to develop an “EPublic Participation Platform” for city residents, and the winning team created a userfriendly webbased application that facilitates job searches and provides updates on City projects. The event showcased exceptional skills and forwardlooking insights, emphasizing the power of technology and young citizens in improving public services. The participants surprised judges with their solutionoriented applications, focusing on developing costeffective, userfriendly software capable of efficiently retrieving information on projects, tenders, and job opportunities. The hackathon highlighted the dedication of UVU Africa and CAPACITI to fostering local talent to bridge the digital gap and showcased the candidates’ commendable skills and innovative thought processes.
The District Six Museum in Cape Town recently unveiled an immersive virtual reality experience for visitors, created in collaboration with Loud Rabbits Agency and the Alumni of Friends of Design Academy of Digital Arts Game Course. The project aims to attract a younger audience while preserving the history of the district. The museum’s efforts in making history interactive and accessible to younger generations while preserving its essence could potentially pave the way for similar initiatives.
Hisense has introduced a revolutionary 100inch U7K ULED MiniLED TV equipped with advanced technologies such as Quantum Dot Colour and Game Mode Pro, setting a fresh benchmark for home entertainment devices. The TV was constructed at Hisense’s plant in Atlantis, on the fringe of Cape Town, and it will debut in South Africa in June 2024 with a price tag of R79 999. This launch symbolizes a new stage for Hisense in South Africa, reinforcing the company’s dedication to providing cuttingedge products that cater to the digital era’s evolving requirements.
Cape Town has introduced an affordable singlephase feedin meter for residents to trade excess solar power back to the city through the ‘Cash for Power’ scheme. The new meter is priced at 40% less than the previous threephase model and has already generated over R30.8m. Participants can receive credits on their electricity and rates accounts by selling power back to the city or earn cash once their total municipal bill is credited down to zero. This initiative reflects Cape Town’s commitment to promoting sustainable energy practices and reducing loadshedding.
Cape Town’s Cash for Power scheme allows households and businesses to trade their surplus solar power back to the city, providing an opportunity to tap into clean and renewable solar energy while also receiving financial rewards. The program has led to collective earnings of over R20.8 million for participants and has spurred interest in solar power utilization. Cape Town’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable practices is setting a standard for other cities throughout the continent.
