₦airaland Forum

Popularly known as "The Commander" in the maritime industry, he has set himself the task of rebuilding South Africa's shipping industry into a world class sector. Despite South Africa exporting 98% of its goods by volume, the country has not a single ship that flies its flag, when it has almost international 1900 ships, many carrying 30% of the world's supply of crude, splashing across its waters on any given day. He is Tsietsi Mokhele, CEO of the South African Maritime Safety Authority.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYNb8prHIt4

Nku Nyembezi-Heita, CEO ArcelorMittal South Africa and member of ArcelorMittal's management committee, has never been your average company executive. She is also one of the most powerful women in the world, according to Forbes magazine.
In this video, Nku shares her thoughts on how women's career aspirations have evolved over the past decades, and discusses many more topics including access to equal opportunities, work / life balance, obstacles and role models and what it feels like to sometimes be "the only woman in the room".


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs68OY_POaA

On Captains of Industry we speak to the man at the helm of the mining subsidiary of one of South Africa's leading building material companies. Funani Mojono was appointed the CEO of Lafarge Aggregates South Africa back in September of this year. An Engineering graduate from the University of Pretoria, Mojono previously held the position of General Manager at Arcelormittal Coke & Chemicals.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dL0T_JnuSQ

This week on Captains of Industry we speak to the woman at the helm of one of South Africa's leading African black owned and managed investment holding companies. Phuti Malabie was appointed as the CEO of the Shanduka Group back in 2010. Listed as one of the Top 50 women in the world to watch by the Wall Street Journal, Malabie previously held the position of MD at Shanduka Energy.

1. Forbes Young Leaders list - powerful women

2. Young global leaders - world economic forum


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuT69rV-ZO8

This week on Captains of Industry we speak to the man at the helm of one of South Africa's Big 4 auditing companies. Moses Kgosana was appointed as the CEO of KPMG South Africa back in 2007. With 28 years of accounting, audit and advisory experience, Kgosana also holds the position of Chairman of KPMG Africa.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J6f7ffX5LI

On Captains of Industry ABN's Bronwyn Nielsen speaks to Sizwe Nxasana is the Chief Executive Officer of FirstRand Limited. Sizwe served as Chief Executive Officer of Telkom SA Limited from 1998 to 2005. He served as National President of Absa Group Limited from 1991 to 1994. He holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science and is a Chartered Accountant.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVdBFQEHTw4

This week on Captains of Industry we speak to the man at the helm of South Africa's largest black owned auditing firm. Victor Sekese was appointed as the CEO of Sizwe Ntsaluba Gobodo back in April of this year. A former President of The Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants, Sekese is now responsible for growing Sizwe Ntsaluba Gobodo footprint in Africa.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9p3CNM1seo

http://variety.com/2013/film/international/south-africa-leads-continents-cartoon-boom-1200492645/


South Africa Leads Continent’s Cartoon Boom

Expansion in African animation serves up world-class toons to international audiences

Christopher Vourlias
RELATED STORIES





When the South African delegation arrives at the Annecy toon fest, members will be looking to cement their growing reputation for world-class animation.


“For South Africa, it’s a great year,” says Veronique Encrenaz, head of projects at Annecy’s film market, noting that the country has a feature in competition for the first time, a special territory focus, and a case study for the animated feature “Khumba” as part of the fest’s conference program.


The country’s emergence reflects a broader trend across the continent, as animators from Morocco to Madagascar are showing increasing sophistication in a range of animation, from traditional cel animation to CG, stop-motion and 3D.

“I’m surprised with the results I see every day,” says Mohamed Ghazala, head of the African chapter of the Intl. Animated Film Assn. Despite a lack of formal training, little government support and difficulty in getting private investors onboard, “Young people are using the digital tools they have on the computer and they (are starting) to make their own animation,” he says.

There have been successes both big and small. “Tinga Tinga Tales,” which was produced by the U.K.’s Tiger Aspect Prods. and the Nairobi-based “Homeboyz Animation,” aired on the BBC’s children’s web, CBeebies. Nigeria’s “Bino and Fino,” by the design studio EVCL, has shown in the U.S., U.K. and South Africa.

“The Adventures of Zambezia,” from South Africa’s Triggerfish Studios, was submitted for Oscar consideration and has so far grossed $23 million in more than 70 countries; the studio is following up with “Khumba,” in competition at Annecy this year.

Another South African hit, Sunrise Prods.’ TV series “Jungle Beat,” is being distributed in more than 170 countries.

Still, few countries have managed to build viable industries. Egypt is a regional powerhouse in the Arab world, exporting content across North Africa and the Middle East. South Africa is finally beginning to tap into the international co-production market, and could soon secure a competitive niche alongside more established industries in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

The waters are murkier between Cairo and Cape Town, however. In recent years, Annecy has highlighted features and shorts from Madagascar, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and other nations — but “nothing is organized yet in (most) countries,” says Annecy market’s Encrenaz.

Still, there are signs that governments are slowly coming around. In Kenya, a tech-friendly administration introduced a $4 million grant to support the development of local digital content. Across the continent, governments are increasingly incorporating animation software into their school and university curricula, addressing the lack of formal training institutes, according to Harry Ravelo of Toon Boom Animation.

The bigger challenge now is securing the type of investment that would allow the pockets of activity to coalesce into sustainable industries. Risk-averse investors, who across Africa have traditionally shied away from more proven cultural properties such as live-action film, are unlikely to put their money into animation until it can offer returns.

As animators begin to develop their own intellectual properties, they’ll look to tap into the growing demand for homegrown content across Africa, where new television stations are constantly appearing and pay-TV subscriber bases continue to grow.

“Our primary market is Africa, because we think it’s a viable market,” says Kenya’s Kwame Nyong’o, who will be pitching a TV series, “Meet the Jembes” (pictured).

At the same time, the large number of Africans in the diaspora — and the fact that “humor is universal,” as Nyong’o puts it — means that African animators can have a global outlook as well.

“If Africans can watch ‘The Simpsons,’ why can’t Americans watch our shows?” he asks.

Kwela going global: “Spokes of Africa” keeps inspiring

This Spokes Mashiyane rarity goes out to Donpiper and the pennywhistle music-makers and keepers at the schiff and fipple forum, as well as Chris in the UK who runs a fantastic “kwela” blogsite project because:
“The pennywhistle is a fantastic instrument; expressive, cheap, portable, quick to get started. However its versatility is perceived to be limited due to its almost-exclusive association with celtic music. Kwela challenges this preconception and introduces those who haven’t heard it to a new way of hearing and playing the pennywhistle.”

This small group of good people from all around the world have got themselves together and are doing things like developing and sharing transcriptions and information on kwela and pennywhistle music so they too can keep performing and playing it. Now that is really keeping the music alive!

On this album Spokes introduces and then plays a velvety smooth rendition of Kwela Kong, and follows up with another called “Little Kwela Kong” which would also have fitted just as perfectly in that fine musical. He also teams up in a duet with Lemmy Mabaso to deliver Manyatela.

Thanks again to Siemon for sharing this rare album – there is one copy available on the net right now … the starting price is $300 U.S.. Enjoy.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4HJfcecgos


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg9NUZ-G-sk

http://www.fiainstitute.com/news/Pages/article-9999999999999999994.aspx

29.08.2013 | South Africa Achieves Highest Training Standard

Motorsport South Africa achieves excellence standard and becomes latest Regional Training Provider.

Motorsport South Africa (MSA) has been presented with the FIA Institute's Officials' Award for the Achievement of Excellence after demonstrating the highest standards of motor sport marshalling and training.
MSA is the first National Sporting Authority (ASN) to achieve this in Africa and will now become an official FIA Institute Regional Training Provider (RTP). As an RTP it can help to train other ASNs, with financial support from the Motor Sport Safety Development Fund.
FIA President Jean Todt and FIA Institute President Gérard Saillant presented the Achievement of Excellence award to MSA CEO Adrian Scholtz at the FIA Institute’s African workshop in Botswana today.
President Todt said: “It is important to have a top training provider in Africa. Motorsport South Africa can now share its expertise with other ASNs and help raise the training and safety standards across the region.”
Professor Saillant said: “The RTP initiative is particularly important in regions where the motor sport infrastructure at grass roots level needs guidance and support. I would like to encourage ASNs across Africa to work with the MSA to further raise standards of marshalling and training.”
MSA President Steve Miller said: “It is a tribute to our hard-working staff and volunteer officials that we have reached this significant milestone in our development. The appointment as Africa's first Regional Training Provider affords us the opportunity to contribute to the development and promotion of safe motor sport on our continent.”
The MSA will present its RTP services to delegates at the Institute workshop today. The event, chaired by Kenya Motor Sports Foundation Secretary General Surinder Thatthi, also features a practical exercise on Environmental Sustainability as well as an update on the fund and presentation on the Young Driver Excellence Academy.

Joburg's Hop-ob, Hop-off


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O17yMquTKJY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MNP5-HXPrQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADnWQaDIHAA

New Alexander Forbes Building - Sandton


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVUqwRqrygM

South Africa's MeerKAT Telescope


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKe_IcXUzg4

SKA - The Square Kilometre Array (2016)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrhEiif_Das

UK science minister to visit SKA project in Karoo, South Africa

10 September 2013, Cape Town, South Africa - Tomorrow, 11 September 2013, [/color]the UK Minister of State for Universities and Science, The Right Honourable David Willetts, will be touching down on South Africa’s new, all-weather, landing strip in the Karoo, where South Africa is building the 64-dish MeerKAT radio telescope, a precursor to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

MeerKAT infrastructure under progress at SKA SA site

The MeerKAT, with a further 190 antennas to be built on the same site, will make up the first phase of the mid-frequency component of the SKA. The second phase of the SKA will see further mid frequency antennas constructed across South Africa and in eight African SKA partner countries. Complementary components of the SKA will be located in Australia, the co-host country of what will be the world’s largest radio telescope.



Mr Willetts, accompanied by senior government officials from the UK and SA, and SKA South Africa Project staff, will be on the first aircraft to touch down on the new landing strip.

The UK is a major player in the global SKA project, and is host to the head office of the SKA Organisation, located at the Jodrell Bank Observatory, near Manchester. “It is a pleasure to see our South African SKA colleagues hosting Minister Willetts at one of the telescope sites, a few months after the Minister inaugurated the SKA Headquarters in the UK”, said Professor Philip Diamond, Director-General of the SKA Organisation. “This shows constant support and commitment from the UK government for the global SKA project and this is something we appreciate and value immensely.”

South Africa and the UK are already collaborating extensively in the field of radio astronomy, with 25 research organisations and 88 scientists from the UK directly involved in the large survey teams that will use the MeerKAT telescope for research during its first five years of operation. This includes 16 scientists from Oxford University and 11 from Manchester University. Mr Willetts’ visit will further strengthen the science collaboration between South Africa and the UK.

Mr Willetts says “The SKA is an extremely exciting project. I am delighted that the UK’s world-leading astronomers are working closely with their South African colleagues at this important site. From how the first stars and galaxies formed to the nature of gravity, their work will vastly increase our understanding of the universe. SKA is one of the UK’s highest priority astronomy projects, and we are planning to invest £19 million (305 million SA Rand) in the design phase of the project. I look forward to the UK and South African scientific communities working closely together as they harness Big Data, one of the eight great technologies of the future, to explore some of the most fundamental problems in astronomy.”

Pouring of first MeerKAT dish foundation

During his visit to South Africa’s SKA site, Mr Willetts will have the opportunity to view the significant progress taking place on the first large-scale global research infrastructure project ever to be co-hosted in Africa. Mr Willets will see the developments of the infrastructure being installed for the MeerKAT, including the KAT-7 pathfinder telescope and the roads, specialised buildings and the sheds where the antennas for MeerKAT will be manufactured and integrated. He will also be able to observe the pouring of concrete for the foundations of the 64 MeerKAT antennas.



“We are pleased to have Minister Willetts in the country this week for the SA-UK Bilateral Forum. As Ministers responsible for the promotion of research and science in our respective countries we will use the opportunity to further reflect and explore areas of collaboration. The UK is indeed a key strategic partner of ours, with whom we have a number of successful human capital development programmes. While in the country, Minister Willetts will get to visit the SKA site and I am positive that he will be very impressed with progress made to date” says Derek Hanekom, South Africa’s Minister of Science and Technology.

New all-weather landing strip at SKA SA site

“We are delighted that Minister Willetts’ visit coincides with the maiden landing on our all-weather landing strip, providing the opportunity for us to demonstrate the delivery of infrastructure for MeerKAT and the SKA,” says Professor Justin Jonas, Associate Director for Science and Engineering at SKA South Africa.

“The new landing strip will make it easier, quicker and safer for our engineers and scientists who frequently visit the remote radio astronomy site in the Karoo,” Jonas adds. “The site is located about 700 km from Cape Town, where our science, engineering and commissioning teams are based, and about 1 000 km from Johannesburg, where our infrastructure engineering team is based.” The landing strip will also be required for the international SKA Organisation to deploy the SKA radio telescope, and its associated infrastructure.



Landing strip facts and figures

The new all-weather landing strip is 1 300 m long and 18 m wide. At present it can accommodate aircraft seating up to 13 passengers (e.g. Pilatus PC-12, Cessna and Beech King Air).
The strip includes an apron to accommodate up to two aircraft at any given time.
The position of the landing strip was carefully chosen to avoid interference with the configuration and operations of the MeerKAT, and in the future, the SKA, and to fit in with the local topography and wind conditions.
The landing strip will be used during the construction of MeerKAT (up to 2016), and for the SKA (from 2017 onwards). Once these telescopes are operational, the landing strip will be used for technical maintenance crews to get to the site.
The landing strip has been registered as a voluntary un-manned landing strip with the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). Should the need arise to land larger aircraft, the voluntary registration with the SACAA will be upgraded to a fully licensed landing strip.
Brink & Heath Civils (Pty) Ltd was awarded the contract for the construction of the roads, civil works, electrical and fibre ducting reticulation and the all-weather landing strip on site.