Finding strength in struggle for gender equality and human rights

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23 June 2025

Finding strength in struggle for gender equality and human rights

The year 2025 marks 30 years since the landmark Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action was adopted in 1995. Despite rising anti-rights and anti-gender pushes, some progress on these bold promises gives hope and strength, to strive for achieving SDG5 fully by 2030 or earlier.

“As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and its Platform for Action this year, we are called to reflect not only on how far we have come but how far we must still go. The Beijing Declaration was a bold promise to the world’s women and girls that their rights, dignity and health would be non-negotiable, that promise remains unfulfilled,” said Nazneen Damji, Chief (ad interim), Governance and Participation Section, and Senior Policy Advisor, Gender Equality, HIV and Health, UN Women.

“Universal health coverage cannot be truly universal if it does not prioritise gender equality and human rights. Health systems that ignore the unique needs and barriers faced by women and girls are not only unjust, they are ineffective,” she said in her video message at a special Side Event alongside WHA78 organised by Global Centre for Health Diplomacy and Inclusion (CeHDI), International Planned Parenthood Federation, Fos Feminista, CNS, and partners.

“We are facing a rising coordinated push back on women’s and girls’ health and rights, particularly their sexual and reproductive health and rights. In just the past few months we have seen drastic funding cuts, impacting not only civil society and governments, but also UN agencies that provide abortion care and life-saving HIV treatment. This is not just a budget issue, it is a crisis of political will. Let us be clear: sexual and reproductive health and rights are not optional, they are fundamental human rights and yet only 56% of married women aged 15 to 49 can make decisions about their own reproductive health. This is not a statistic, it is a reflection of deep-rooted structural inequalities and harmful social norms that continue to deny women agency over their own bodies,” said Nazneen Damji of UN Women.

The consequences are devastating:

– Every 2 minutes a woman dies from preventable pregnancy related causes

– In 2023, over 700 women died each day from complications that could have been avoided with access to quality care

– HIV incidents among adolescent girls and young women remains alarmingly high in parts of sub-Saharan Africa where they are more than three times as likely to acquire HIV as their male peers in at least 22 countries

Gender discrimination block access to healthcare

Racism, stigma, and gender-based discrimination within healthcare settings block access to healthcare services. “Survivors of gender-based violence also need access to healthcare services. But that is often restricted for a wide variety of reasons including financial barriers, lack of capacity of the health system itself to be able to respond, social barriers like stigma and discrimination, as well as because healthcare system is at times a site of violence itself,” said Fadekemi Akinfaderin, Chief Global Advocacy Officer, Fos Feminista (International Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice).

“I tend to think myself as a privileged person – an educated and middle-class woman – but when I had both my kids, I was denied access to epidural (epidural is a type of regional anaesthesia which is often given during labour and delivery to relieve pain). I was denied epidural in a health centre because the healthcare worker wanted me to give birth like a Hebrew woman,” said Fedekemi.

“These are not isolated issues rather these are symptoms of a global system that continues to devalue the lives and health of women and girls. The newly released World Report on the Social Determinants of Health Equity confirms that gender discrimination blocks access to healthcare even when user fees are removed. Women especially those who are young poor migrants or from ethnic minorities, still avoid care because of abuse and mistreatment,” shared Nazneen Damji.

UHC is fundamental to reducing health inequalities

“We are seeing a global push back against gender equality and the principles of human rights to health which are inextricably linked. In my mandate as a UN Special Rapporteur on Right To Health, I have recommended a human rights approach for many of the thematic areas recalling the political declaration of the UN High Level Meeting and resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly 2019 on Universal Health Coverage under the theme “Universal health coverage moving together to build a healthier world.” I stress and underscore that universal health coverage is fundamental to reducing health inequalities, and ensuring just, peaceful and inclusive societies,” said Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Right To Health and Executive Director, Centre for Global Health Policy & Politics.

Dr Tlaleng added: “The world is experiencing protracted war, humanitarian crisis, economic crisis, climate crisis, genocide, all of which had an impact on the right to health. Inequality, violence, stigmatisation, discrimination and criminalisation, all are incompatible with the realisation of the right to health and therefore impact universal health coverage. Delivering on UHC in an era of push back against gender equality and human rights must consider that every human being is entitled – with no discrimination – to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, and also a life conducive to living of dignity.”

Women’s rights groups are often the first responders delivering lifesaving services

“We must recognise the vital role of women’s rights groups which are often the first responders delivering life-saving health care protection services and psychosocial support to survivors of violence. Yet their ability to serve those most at risk, especially women and girls facing intersectional discrimination, is becoming severely hampered by shrinking funding and growing backlash,” said Nazneen Damji.

Despite challenges, progress towards gender justice gives us hope and strength

Governments committed to a political declaration at the recently concluded 69th UN Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. “This political declaration is reaffirming governments’ commitment to the Beijing Platform for Action. This is a powerful reminder that women’s health remains a key priority on the global agenda. It is a moment of renewed momentum and we must seize it,” said Nazneen Damji of UN Women.

She added: “Over the past two decades, we have seen real gains, for example:

– The number of women using modern contraception has doubled

– Unintended pregnancy rate has declined by 19%

These are victories worth protecting but to sustain this progress we must invest in and scale up the best practices that got us here. We must ensure that UHC is not just about coverage, it must be about equity, rights, and justice – that means guaranteeing access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services including contraception, safe abortion, maternal care and HIV prevention.”

But, how can we protect these gains made towards gender equality and rights, and advance progress without increased domestic financing for health systems? We need to ensure that women’s health services are integral to health benefit packages, and are protected and full funded. Organisations and movements that defend women’s rights by putting women and girls at the centre of health policy – and not as passive recipients but as leaders and decision makers – must also be protected and fully resourced.

“The Beijing Platform for Action 1995 gave us a roadmap. Now, 30 years later, it is time to deliver because health for all, must mean rights for all,” rightly says Nazneen Damji.

Shobha Shukla – CNS (Citizen News Service)

(Shobha Shukla is the award-winning founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of CNS (Citizen News Service) and is a feminist, health and development justice advocate. She is a former senior Physics faculty of prestigious Loreto Convent College and current Coordinator of Asia Pacific Regional Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media) and Chairperson of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA received AMR One Health Emerging Leaders and Outstanding Talents Award 2024). She also coordinates SHE & Rights initiative (Sexual health with equity & rights). Follow her on Twitter @shobha1shukla or read her writings here www.bit.ly/ShobhaShukla)

In the township economy, even a printer can be a powerful tool

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LnT Desk

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23 June 2025

In the township economy, even a printer can be a powerful tool

South Africa’s overall unemployment rate currently stands at around 32% with the youth population facing a high rate of nearly 45%. Despite these challenges, many young South Africans continue to show ambition and creativity in various fields. They are finding innovative ways to pursue their goals and dreams often with little to no support.

With better access to essential resources like affordable printing for job applications, these individuals have the potential to turn ambition into achievement.

A report by Youth Capital noted that the average young jobseeker in SA spends R500–R1,000 a month looking for work, a chunk of that goes to printing documents.

That is before you factor in the time and money it takes to get to the printer. Similarly, small businesses struggle scraping together the capital to print signage, promotional material and everything else needed to make their business a success. Whether it’s trying to apply for work, launch a small business, or promote a local service, access to affordable professional printing can be a gatekeeper to opportunity.

This lack of access can be particularly damaging in the ‘township Kasi economy’ where innovation and ingenuity can be stifled by the inability to turn ideas into reality. The Kasi economy refers to the informal and small business activities within South Africa’s townships. As a vibrant and under-celebrated powerhouse, the Kasi economy is responsible for roughly 17% of South Africa’s total employment, with a consumer market worth billions. It’s here that the real ingenuity of South Africans shines. But even the most determined entrepreneurs can be held back by something as basic as the high cost of outsourcing promotional materials. That’s where Epson’s SureColor series of large-format printers is making a tangible difference.

“Township economies are bursting with ideas, what’s often missing are the tools to turn those ideas into businesses,” says Joel Chetty, Sales Manager, C&I at Epson South Africa. “By enabling local entrepreneurs to produce their own signage, branding, and marketing materials, we’re giving them the power to change their circumstances.”

Many township businesses rely on external printers for flyers, signage, and promotional materials, a costly dependency that eats into already tight margins. Bringing printing in-house not only reduces expenses but also unlocks new income opportunities. For many young entrepreneurs, access to reliable printing is the difference between a side hustle and a sustainable business.

“As someone who’s worked with crafters across the region, I’ve seen how the right tools can turn creativity into real income. With Epson’s sublimation printer and Cricut’s smart cutting and heat tools, township entrepreneurs can produce professional-quality products from branded mugs to custom T-shirts, right from their living rooms,” says Jowilna Nolte, Consumer Marketing Manager at Cricut MET&A.

It’s time to start seeing townships not just as under-resourced areas, but as investment-ready ecosystems. Doing that means moving away from a system that gives people fish and moving towards one that equips them with fishing rods. When you put the right tools in people’s hands, printers included, they don’t just print CVs. They print a future.

Is password-based security ending?

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Doros Hadjizenonos

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23 June 2025

Is password-based security ending? — Doros Hadjizenonos, Regional Director at Fortinet

The password is no longer a fortress in and of itself. In a landscape where attackers effortlessly bypass traditional defences, passwords have become more of a revolving door to a greater security fortress – one that needs to be built on resilience, not strength.

For years, password length and complexity were the cornerstones of cyber-hygiene. Today, however, attackers are outmanoeuvring that strategy. FortiGuard Labs recorded over 100 billion stolen credentials traded on underground markets last year – a 42% surge fuelled by massive ‘combo lists’ harvested from past breaches. These lists enable cybercriminals to automate credential-stuffing at scale, meaning a single leaked username and password can unlock numerous corporate accounts in seconds.

Human behaviour compounds the problem. Approximately six in ten people still reuse passwords across personal and professional accounts, while the average user juggles nearly 170 logins. It’s unrealistic to expect anyone to create and remember 170 unique, complex passphrases. Faced with this cognitive overload, weak habits emerge: recycled passwords, sticky notes, and temporary credentials that persist for years.

Attackers exploit this reality, primarily through phishing. Roughly 70% of stolen passwords originate from phishing campaigns, and the rise of AI-generated lures has made fraudulent emails and fake login pages nearly indistinguishable from legitimate ones. South African organisations, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), often lack the resources to filter every suspicious message, making them attractive targets.

Why complexity rules are losing their punch

Most corporate password policies still rely on complexity: a combination of 12 characters, mixed case, numbers, symbols, and mandatory resets. While complexity does slow brute-force cracking, its effectiveness diminishes once credentials are stolen or phished. Complexity increases the effort required for a direct attack, but it’s futile against attackers who purchase valid logins on the darknet.

Four priorities for South African defenders

Make Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) mandatory, everywhere. Industry studies indicate that MFA blocks over 99% of automated credential abuse. However, adoption across Africa remains around 50% and is often lower among SMEs. An organisation’s security is only as robust as its weakest privileged account. Therefore, every administrator console, VPN, and SaaS dashboard must be protected by an additional factor.
Accelerate the shift to passwordless access. FIDO2 hardware keys, mobile passkeys, and platform-based biometrics cannot be replayed or phished. Organisations that pilot password-free logins typically experience a reduction in help desk calls and fewer account takeover alerts. These benefits should encourage broader adoption in South African organisations.
Deploy enterprise-grade password managers. While passwordless solutions mature, most businesses operate in a hybrid environment. Password managers generate high-entropy passwords, securely autofill them, and audit reuse, while providing the governance logs increasingly required by regulators.
Integrate identity intelligence into a broader security fabric. Fortinet’s Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) approach correlates leaked-credential intelligence with network telemetry. This enables automated credential resets when an employee’s email address appears on a combo list, preventing criminals from exploiting those credentials. Combined with AI-driven phishing protection, this approach minimises opportunities for attackers.

Don’t overlook the human firewall

Technology alone cannot address a behavioural challenge. Fortinet’s recent research reveals that 70% of South African organisations lack basic cyber-awareness training. Regular simulations that train staff to identify spoofed login pages and report suspicious messages are a cost-effective, high-impact defence layer. Leadership must champion these programmes and mitigate security fatigue by ensuring policies and training are perceived as empowering rather than punitive.

Resilience and resistance

Passwords will remain part of the authentication landscape for the foreseeable future, but their role is evolving. Attackers understand that breaching identity is cheaper and faster than exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities, and the darknet’s thriving credential economy provides sophisticated tools to even the least skilled criminals. South African businesses that adopt ubiquitous MFA, passwordless pilots, robust vaulting, and continuous exposure management will make that economy less profitable.

Currently, with lower barriers to entry for aspiring cybercriminals, the critical question is no longer “Is my password strong enough?” but “Is my identity architecture resilient enough to withstand inevitable credential compromise?”

Strength lies not in a clever string of characters but in layered, adaptive controls that assume any single factor can and will fail. That is the mindset that keeps businesses, and their customers, safer in a world where credentials are the currency of cybercrime.

From ‘average’ to ‘empowered’: coaching programme for first years create pathways to success

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LnT Desk

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20 June 2025

From ‘average’ to ‘empowered’: coaching programme for first years create pathways to success — Coaching Concept

South Africa’s student dropout rates remain worryingly high, with a recent study revealing that as much as 60% of students drop out in their first year of studies. And while most people might attribute those dropouts to students failing multiple subjects, the reality is that there’s a quieter group who are slipping through the cracks: students who are doing “just fine”. They’re not failing, but they aren’t thriving either.

These are the so-called “orange students”, according to Margi Boosey, Academic Manager at IIE Varsity College, who are passing, but want more. In this case, a student achieving 60% might want to push their grades to 75%, while another may want to improve focus, manage anxiety or simply make a friend. But without the right support, these students often plateau or quietly disengage. Some eventually drop out – not because they aren’t capable, but because no one noticed they needed help.

A coaching model that meets students where they are

In response, IIE Varsity College launched its Goal. Set. Success programme, a first-of-its-kind coaching initiative aimed at supporting first-year students across ten campuses and the institution’s online centre. The programme offers one-on-one professional coaching during second semester to help students build confidence, set meaningful goals and stay on track with achieving them.

“After a lot of observation and research, we recognised that support shouldn’t just exist as a reactive measure,” says Boosey. “There are students who appear to be coping, passing adequately and seem to be doing fine, but you’ll find they still need guidance, structure and someone in their corner to help them push a little further, whether it’s academically, emotionally or even socially.”

After applying, students are matched with a professional coach and over the course of three coaching sessions within the semester, they work together to set personal and academic goals. These could centre on improving marks, finding balance, joining a sports team, or simply raising a hand in class.

Beyond marks: mindset shifts and meaningful change

Many students who participated in the pilot phase of the programme reported better time management, reduced anxiety and higher marks. “Her biggest breakthrough was finding her sense of grounding,” reported one coach of a participating student. “She feels more in control of her life, as she is now prioritising her time and learning to achieve better balance.”

Another student, after struggling with depression, said she “now feels she has a purpose and aim and something to look forward to.”

Coaches have also reported “phenomenal results” not only in the academic arena, but also in students’ self-belief, self-confidence and their ability to manage relationships and stress.

“The coaching helps them realise they’re not just passengers in their own lives,” adds Boosey. “The goal is to help them shift from a mindset of ‘this is happening to me’ to ‘I have choices. I’m in control’. Rather than allocating institutional resources to students on the edge of failure, this programme centres on providing support to the motivated, average-performing ‘orange’ students to help them tap into their incredible potential.”

To learn more about the Goal. Set. Success programme and how it supports first-year students, visit www.varsitycollege.co.za.

BrightRock and Henley Launch World First Change Science Institute

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LnT Desk

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20 June 2025

BrightRock and Henley Business School Debut Advanced Change Science Institute

In a powerful and timely collaboration, BrightRock, the needs-matched life insurer, with academic partner Henley Business School Africa, officially launched the Change Science Institute on 18 June 2025 at Henley’s Johannesburg campus, ushering in a world-first multidisciplinary platform focused on equipping individuals with the tools and insights to navigate change.

The launch event, held in a dynamic panel discussion format, was hosted by respected journalist Rob Rose, Editor of Currency News, and attended by an engaged and diverse audience of academics, business leaders, scholars, media professionals, and changemakers from across South Africa. The discussion explored the origins, purpose, and impact of the Change Science Institute, and featured insights from BrightRock CEO, Suzanne Stevens; Henley Dean, Jon Foster-Pedley, and Professor Nicola Kleyn.

Introducing the Change Science Institute

The Change Science Institute is a first-of-its-kind South African platform that aims to draw together different strands of behavioural science, psychology, neuroscience, and leadership theory, translating academic insight into practical tools people can use to navigate change in everyday life. Its purpose is clear: to help individuals become more resilient, self-aware, and change-fit through the usable, credible, and empowering application of change science.

From designing tools to help you understand your change personality and level of change-readiness, to offering expert-led learning opportunities , the Institute’s aim is to bridge the gap between science and people’s lived experience.

BrightRock’s purpose

Speaking at the launch, Suzanne Stevens, CEO of BrightRock, shared the company’s long-term vision for the Change Science Institute and how it connects to BrightRock’s broader mission:

“At BrightRock, we’ve always believed life insurance should evolve with people’s needs, because in life, change is inevitable. Our purpose is to help people navigate change in their lives and the Change Science Institute is a natural extension of that thinking. It’s about giving people agency and confidence as they face life’s transitions, whether personal, professional, or societal. We’re proud to bring together academic excellence, behavioural science, and our deep community insight to help individuals navigate transformation not with fear, but with resilience and optimism.”

Stevens also reflected on BrightRock’s Change Exchange platform, a digital community established over 12 years ago, which has reached over 2 million South Africans annually, shared 2,500 stories of personal change, and cultivated a community of more than 200,000 users.

Henley Business School’s Academic Rigour

Henley Business School plays a critical role as the academic and research partner of the Change Science Institute, bringing international credibility and local insight to the initiative. Jon Foster-Pedley, Dean and Director of Henley Business School Africa, shared the school’s motivation for joining forces with BrightRock:

“Business schools today have a responsibility far beyond skills training. Our role is to promote ethical, evidence-based thinking that can empower individuals and transform societies. Partnering with BrightRock to launch the Change Science Institute enables us to do just that. This initiative brings science into daily life. For Henley, our alumni, and the broader South African context, this is about building a community of capable, conscious changemakers.”

The launch also provided an opportunity to explore some of the themes from Henley’s newly released white paper: “Logos, Pathos, Ethos: Why Science Matters for Business.”

The paper is a timely reflection on the erosion of public trust in science and the growing need to champion evidence-based thinking. The paper reinforces the very ethos of the Change Science Institute, where science, business, and society intersect for the greater good.

The Explorer’s Perspective: Prof Nicola Kleyn

Professor Nicola Kleyn, former Dean of GIBS and the Rotterdam School of Management, has also joined the initiative in her role as the Change Science Explorer at the Change Science Institute, tasked with bridging the academic, human, and cultural layers of change science.

“This new role marks a deeply personal and professional evolution for me,” said Kleyn. “Having spent my career navigating the intersection of academia and practice, joining the Change Science Institute allows me to ask big questions and help translate the answers into something real for people. Change doesn’t have to feel abstract or overwhelming, when understood through science, it becomes something we can engage with and learn from.”

What’s Next

The Change Science Institute aims to develop tools, learning programmes, and resources. Users can already engage with a range of self-directed learning tools on its website. These tools are designed to support individuals at all stages of life to deepen self-knowledge and equip people to tackle change more confidently.

To access the CSI modules and tools visit www.changescienceinstitute.co.za.

Steers Takes to the Skies: Iconic Wings and Chips Meal Delivered by Drone for the First Time

By

LnT Desk

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20 June 2025

Steers Takes to the Skies: Iconic Wings and Chips Meal Delivered by Drone for the First Time — Iconic Wings and Chips Meal

Who said chickens can’t fly? Steers makes sure that theirs do with a drone delivery of their recently launched wings and chips meal. In light of their newly launched, 3 full chicken wings & chips , Steers took the assignment a little too seriously by literally flying their chicken wings & chips to its customers.

Link to video: https://youtu.be/eC4F5BdB308

What started off as a normal day for some Steers’ consumers, quickly turned into a moment of surprise when their meals were delivered to them in the store by a Steers drone. This interactive idea by Steers had customers gushing with excitement and intrigue because many had never had their meals flown out to them before.

Known for their iconic flame-grilled taste, the Steers 3 full wings & chips comes in four sizzling flavours namely BBQ, Lemon & Herb, Mild and Hot – guaranteed to make consumers fly back for more.

Flame-Grilled. It just tastes better .

Why microdosing is the future of injectables

By

LnT Desk

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20 June 2025

Why microdosing is the future of injectables — microdosing

Move over frozen foreheads and overfilled lips, there’s a new aesthetic philosophy taking centre stage, and it’s all about subtlety. Microdosing, the art of administering botulinum toxin and fillers in ultra-low doses, is rapidly redefining how we think about “tweakments”. Far from the dramatic transformations of years past, today’s patients are seeking small, strategic enhancements that whisper, not shout.

“The biggest trend in aesthetics right now is restraint,” says Dr Alek Nikolic, aesthetic medicine specialist and founder of the Dr Alek Nikolic practice. “People aren’t looking to change their faces. They’re looking to look more rested, more confident, and yes, more natural. That’s where ‘microdosing’ comes in.”

What is microdosing?

Microdosing has been popularised recently as a new trend in wellness and beauty circles, even though the practice has been around for decades.

Microdosing in aesthetics refers to the use of smaller quantities of injectable treatments, often botulinum toxin or dermal fillers, distributed across more injection sites. Rather than freezing a whole area or filling as much as possible, microdosing aims to soften, refresh, and prevent, without erasing expression or overcorrecting volume.

Also known as “baby Botox” this technique is increasingly favoured by younger patients, some men, and those new to injectables. But it’s not just a Gen Z phenomenon; more experienced aesthetic patients are also gravitating toward this nuanced approach.

“It’s not about chasing perfection. It’s about preserving what makes you ‘you’ – correcting ratios and enhancing one’s natural features – a more polished version,” says Dr Nikolic.

A shift in beauty culture

The rise of microdosing reflects a broader cultural shift in the aesthetics industry. Thanks to social media transparency and a more educated consumer base, patients are steering away from the overdone, one-size-fits-all look.

Instead, they’re asking smarter questions: How will this age? Will I still look like myself? Is this treatment preventative or corrective?

Microdosing answers these questions with a reassuring yes. It allows for customisation, earlier intervention, and less downtime, all key concerns for today’s busy, image-conscious patients.

Dr Alek Nikolic takes microdosing one step further and places his own spin on it. “Achieving natural results, improving one’s facial ratios, and enhancing natural features, is more than just adding small amounts. Even a small amount in the wrong place can lead to an unnatural appearance. Natural results and microdosing are more about using the correct amount in the correct place when treating the face”.

Botulinum toxin microdosing typically involves reduced doses and treating certain muscles while avoiding others across the forehead, crow’s feet, or neck, which in turn reduces fine lines while maintaining movement. Dermal fillers, meanwhile, can be strategically placed to gently contour cheekbones, refine lips, or restore hydration without bulk. Additionally, one can place small amounts of dermal filler in certain support points of the face to naturally lift the jowls, neck, and recontour the jaw line, without adding huge volumes to the face, explains Dr Nikolic.

Who is it for?

Microdosing is ideal for:

First-time injectable users who want to ease into injectables
Preventative users in their late 20s or early 30s
Men seeking discreet improvements
Anyone who values natural expression and subtle enhancements

What does this mean for the industry?

The popularity of microdosing is already shaping how aesthetic centres and doctors approach patient care. It’s no longer about cookie-cutter packages or “area pricing,” but about creating highly customised treatment plans, often with a lighter touch and more natural enhancements.

“It’s not just about the volume of product, it’s about the precision,” says Dr Nikolic. “Microdosing forces us as practitioners to be more intentional, more artistic.”

The age of subtle “tweakments” has arrived and microdosing is leading the way. In a world that’s slowly letting go of filtered perfection and embracing individuality, precision placement is the new more. It’s smarter, safer, and, perhaps, more beautiful.

Qatar Airways Partners with IMG to Launch Sport 24 via Starlink

By

LnT Desk

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20 June 2025

Qatar Airways Partners with IMG to Launch Sport 24 via Starlink

Qatar Airways has partnered with IMG, a leading global sports marketing agency, to launch a next-generation in-flight sports streaming experience exclusively available on the airline’s Starlink-connected aircraft. For the first time, passengers will be able to enjoy high-definition coverage of Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra – IMG’s premium live sports channels for the airline and cruise industries, via a dedicated web player on their personal electronic devices, ensuring they never miss a moment of the action at 35,000 feet.

Cementing its position as an industry-leading digital innovator, Qatar Airways is the first global airline to offer Sport 24 as an integrated live sports streaming experience, powered by Starlink’s high-speed internet connection. With seamless access on board via mobile, tablet, and laptop, passengers can now watch the world’s biggest sporting events live, from the UEFA Champions League to Formula 1®, and more.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, said: “Our partnership with IMG marks another leap forward in redefining the inflight experience. As the first global airline to introduce Starlink’s high-speed connectivity combined with live sports streaming, we are proud to bring passengers closer to the sporting moments that matter most – wherever they are in the world. From football fans to tennis enthusiasts, this new offering ensures our guests never miss a second of the action at 35,000 feet.”

IMG President, Adam Kelly, said: “Live sport is one of the last remaining appointment-to-view events that people prefer to watch in real time. As consumer viewing habits continue to evolve, passengers want more ways to enjoy live sport onboard so they never have to miss a moment of the action. Qatar Airways is now making that a reality for fans traveling anywhere in the world with Sport 24. We’re continuing to drive product developments to make Sport 24 available on any international aircraft with connectivity.”

Qatar Airways is currently the only airline in the MENA region and one of the few globally to offer the fastest internet in the skies, with broadband speeds comparable to those at home, across both its Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 fleets. As of June 2025, the airline has completed over 12,000 Starlink-connected flights with the entire Boeing 777-300ER fleet fully equipped.

Passengers on Starlink-connected flights can access the Sport 24 web player simply by scanning a QR code on board and enjoy seamless access to IMG’s premium content offering – the only live sports channels available on commercial airlines today.

The launch comes ahead of a packed global sporting calendar available on Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra this summer including; FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, Wimbledon Championships, the British Open, cricket, Formula 1®, and more. The channels, produced at IMG’s London studios, were viewed by over 10 million passengers last year and are now more accessible than ever onboard Qatar Airways’ state-of-the-art Starlink-connected fleet.

The national carrier of the State of Qatar is the Official Airline Partner of UEFA, Formula 1®, AFC, Paris-Saint Germain (PSG), FC Internazionale Milano, Tennis Legend – Novak Djokovic, The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), MotoGP, the IRONMAN Triathlon Series, French Rugby Team – Section Paloise, The British and Irish Lions Tour of Australia 2025, The Brooklyn Nets NBA Team, and multiple other disciplines including Australian football, equestrian, motor racing, padel, squash, and tennis.

Young girls breaking barriers this youth month

By

GirlCode

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20 June 2025

Young girls breaking barriers this youth month

The official unemployment rate in South Africa rose to 32,9% in the first quarter of 2025, with the number of unemployment people increasing by 237 000 compared to the previous three-month period.

Youth unemployment (15–24-year-old job seekers), climbed to 62.4% in Q1 2025, the highest level since Q1 2022. This does not even account for young people who have given up on looking for work in the formal economy.

Despite this hunger for work, certain sectors of the economy are persistently unable to fill certain jobs, particularly high skilled fields, especially in the rapidly expanding digital economy, estimated to have a skills shortage of around 77,000 high-value digital jobs, with around 300,000 technology jobs currently outsourced to overseas workers.

Tech growth and skills

“Technology is no longer just an industry,” says Zandile Mkwanazi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of GirlCode. “With the increased digitalisation of the entire public and private sector, it is fundamental to all other industries as well. “The rise in e-commerce, the expansion of digital media and online training means digital literacy and technology accessibility are therefore barriers to entry for anyone wishing to enter the workforce,” she says.

The economy’s voracious appetite for tech means the system is struggling to keep up with the demand for key skills. This shortage is hindering economic growth and innovation. The specific shortage areas include artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, data science, data storage, information security, DevOps, and business intelligence.

While AI is the obvious area most will think of nowadays, people often forget the basics. Sadly, few young people in South Africa know how to use Microsoft Work or Excel correctly and effectively, and in business these are critical skills.

A male dominated field

Clearly, there is a huge mismatch between a massive labour pool made up mainly of young people. Unfortunately, it is women who are often left behind in key sectors like technology.

Of those professionals working in the field, the majority are men, due to historical and cultural factors, but also factors intrinsic to technology, and software development (coding) in particular.

For instance, while projects are tackled in teams, the work of coding itself can be solitary, especially in remote working environments. The long hours, high stress levels and often mentally arduous work can be a turn-off for many aspiring professionals, male and female alike. But things are changing and being a developer is becoming more appealing amongst the youth, including girls.

Investing in girl coding skills

Investing in the upskilling of these young women ensures a healthy talent pipeline for all organisations and equips those businesses with employees who are technology experienced.

Young women who are exposed to technology are more likely to get a decent job with extensive career opportunities. GirlCode was founded in 2014 as a women-only hackathon to address the inequality and gender gap in the tech space. It has now evolved into an educational institution that nurtures women in tech, facilitates their skills advancement and accelerates their entry into the tech industry.

In addition to the Hackathon, returning for another year in October 2025, GirlCode has expanded to include programmes like the Online Bootcamp and the GirlCoder Club, which offers Students from Grade 3 – 10 online training in Scratch, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python.

“The GirlCode mission is to expose 10 million women and girls to technology by 2030,” Mkwanazi says. “By expanding GirlCode Hack across Africa, the goal is to do more than simply encourage more girls to code, but rather to form a thriving sisterhood of innovators in the making that is ready to tackle the continent’s most pressing issues.”

Moving the needle through partnerships

GirlCode doesn’t just run endless training cycles without a plane for the future. Girls who graduate are given the most relevant skills for the current, fast changing work environment.

One of GirlCode’s long standing sponsors and partners is Mint Group, an Enterprise Software Solutions company based in Johannesburg, Mint Group has sponsored unemployed women to go through the GirlCode Learnership from 2021 and provided them with workplace integrated learning which gave them the practical experience and some industry certifications that allowed them to find employment at both Mint Group and other tech companies upon completion of the learnership. “Mint has been hosting GirlCode learners for several years now,” says head of people at Mint, Lauren Clark. “Kelly Govender was one of our first Workplace Experience learners in 2021 is still a part of the Mint family today. The young women Mint has hosted have brought diversity and a new perspective to the company, and their passion for learning and advancement has been a joy to observe.”

Two learners joined Mint’s MSP (IT support) team permanently in 2024, and this year all four of its interns were permanently employed in June, with one of the ladies starting out in the Marketing Team where her UX (user experience) skills will be put to great use.

“The Mint learnership programme is very thorough and equips the girls with great skills and exposes them to non-technical skills like decision-making and problem-solving,” says chief financial at Mint. “For businesses looking to develop young women in tech, a great place to start is to partner with organisations like GirlCode, as they have learned how to develop skills from the ground up and ensure companies are able to incorporate the learners effectively into a business.”

The future of coding

With the emergence of coding platforms and tools powered by generative AI, developing is now easier than ever, but building systems of the future that matter will ironically call for even more robust coding skills.

In a strong collaboration of private sector companies (like Mint Group), the Government and advocates like GirlCode, South Africa has the opportunity to produce a consistent and world-class pool of technologically skilled people to maintain the public sector’s expanding systems and process, as well as to innovate in the rest of the economy.

Say Hello to Smarter Snaps. HONOR 400 & 400 Pro Lands in South Africa

By

HONOR

-

20 June 2025

Say Hello to Smarter Snaps. HONOR 400 & 400 Pro Lands in South Africa — HONOR 400

The HONOR 400 and HONOR 400 Pro have officially launched in South Africa, extending the brand’s AI-first approach to photography and creative tools. Unveiled at Kyalami Racecourse, the launch offered early access to HONOR’s most advanced imaging experience yet, including features usually expected from flagship releases. Among the first to test the devices were creators, developers, and the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, reflecting the growing intersection of AI, mobile tech, and digital policy. HONOR is now ranked No. 2 in market share locally, with an ambitious goal to reach No. 1 by 2028.

What sets this release apart is not just what’s included but what’s arriving first. The HONOR 400 & 400 Pro debuts Google Cloud’s Veo 2-powered Image-to-Video tool, giving users an exciting way to transform stills into cinematic video clips in seconds. That old pic of a young Gogo in the 70’s can now move. It also introduces an industry-first 50× telephoto zoom via the main camera, using AI to sharpen distant details without a bulky lens. The series includes tools such as:

AI Erase Passers-by, using AI to automatically identify pedestrians in photos and remove them.
AI Deepfake Detection, a first at this tier which can detect whether the participant in a video call is using deepfake technology.
A 6.7-inch OLED display with 5000nits Peak Brightness and 6000mAh silicon-carbon battery with a big storage 12+512G

Available now from R12,999 for the HONOR 400 and R17,999 for the HONOR 400 Pro, both devices are stocked at Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C. Until 31 July 2025. Each purchase includes R8000 worth of added value: the HONOR Watch 2i, HONOR Choice Earbuds X7 Lite and an HONOR Choice Powerbank 10000mAh. For those looking for the edge without the excess, this is one of the most compelling smartphone launches of the year.

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