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Lenovo’s Latest Workstations

By
LnT Desk
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Thinkstation P3 Tiny Still_Life

May 10, 2023 – Today, Lenovo™ unveiled its latest ThinkStation and ThinkPad workstation solutions designed to provide the high levels of power and performance needed to run sophisticated workloads with ISV certifications1. Lenovo workstations are engineered to push the boundaries of performance that help unleash users’ potential while maintaining the reliability, usability and configurability needed across a variety of industries. End users can configure tailor-made workstations built using state-of-the-art components such as 13th Generation Intel® Core® processors and professional NVIDIA® RTX™ GPUs and supporting the industry’s latest operating systems including Windows 11 and several distributions of Linux2.

ThinkStation P3 series desktop workstations provide the value users need without compromising on performance or versatility.  An all-new Tower form factor built for mission-critical tasks is an ideal solution for value-conscious designers, engineers, and students who seek flexibility and expandability without compromising on compute power. The ThinkStation P3 Tower with its expanded chassis supports larger power supplies up to 1100W to handle more demanding configurations and multiple storage options up to 26TB for data-heavy applications. ThinkStation P3 Ultra enhances a revolutionary form factor that packs power and performance in a space-saving chassis that is less than four liters in volume. An intelligently compact workstation, P3 Ultra is designed to handle demanding workflows and easily adapt to changing hybrid workspaces. ThinkStation P3 Tiny is engineered to go where other workstations can’t. Its class leading size of one liter allows the P3 Tiny to fit into virtually any location.

ThinkPad mobile workstations are synonymous with power, premium design, and durability. The latest ThinkPad P Series models deliver human-centric innovations designed for hybrid work and foster positive employee experiences, while providing high levels of power and performance allowing users to do more on the move. ThinkPad P14s i Gen 4 and P16s i Gen 2 will delight highly mobile professionals, educators and students who seek an ideal mix of performance and power at a comfortable price point without compromising security or durability. ThinkPad P16v i is designed to close the gap between entry-level and high-end workstations. Built for creators who require more power to handle large workloads and multitask with ease, it includes Intel Core H-Series processors, advanced graphics and the latest security features to protect valuable data and identity on the move. Extreme levels of mobile workstation performance are delivered by ThinkPad P16 Gen 2 and ThinkPad P1 Gen 6 allowing users to do complex workflows such as high-definition rendering and high-end VR on the go. P16 Gen 2 is focused on raw performance approaching that of some desktop workstations, with the highest-class mobile CPUs, professional NVIDIA RTX GPUs, and Lenovo’s highest ever memory capacity in a mobile workstation with as much as 192GB. ThinkPad P1 now in its sixth generation focuses on producing top performance in a thin and light form factor without compromising on power or durability.

Redefining Desktop Workstation Versatility: Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tower, P3 Ultra, and P3 Tiny

ThinkStation P3 Tower

This latest generation of desktop workstations become Lenovo’s most powerful entry-level workstation offerings and offers form factor size options that can scale across a variety of industries, hybrid workspaces and their respective workflows. Users in engineering and architecture, finance, advanced education, and in medical applications, can customize and configure the new ThinkStation P3 according to their specific requirements. Highlights include:

  • ThinkStation P3 Tower: Experience the power and expandability of a tower workstation at a more affordable price-point, including 13th Generation Intel Core processors and supporting up to NVIDIA RTX™ A5500 graphics to breeze through mission-critical tasks with the reliability, performance and expansion capability required across a variety of industries. P3 Tower can support up to 128GB DDR5 memory and a total of six storage drives, with four PCIe expansion slots and power supply up to 1100W.
  • ThinkStation P3 Ultra: Packing an exceptional level of performance in a chassis less than four liters, the P3 Ultra is ideal for demanding workflows in hybrid, remote or less accessible locations. The intelligent compact design features up to NVIDIA RTX A5500 graphics and an optional BMC (baseboard management controller) to be released later this year, that enables advanced remote monitoring and systems management.
  • ThinkStation P3 Tiny: Lenovo’s Tiny form factor is engineered to go where others can’t. The new P3 Tiny, at just one liter in total volume, is small but mighty. With a versatile array of mounting options, ISV certifications and up to NVIDIA T1000 graphics that supports up to six displays, ThinkStation P3 Tiny can empower architects and engineers, financial analysts, health professionals, and STEM education, virtually anywhere.

ThinkPad P Series Lets Mobile Creators Enjoy Choice and Freedom

Adaptable and multipurpose mobile workstations don’t need to compromise on performance as illustrated by the new ThinkPad P series that provide ISV certified solutions across a variety of price points.

Furthermore, along with the rest of the ThinkPad portfolio announced earlier this year, the latest ThinkPad mobile workstations are also increasing the use of more recycled materials and post consumer content (PCC) plastic3 in select components that is in line with Lenovo’s continued focus on supporting a circular economy and Lenovo’s goal to integrate post-consumer recycled content into 100% of PC products by 2025.

  • ThinkPad P16 Gen 2: Lenovo’s most powerful 16-inch mobile workstation ever, built for users who need the highest levels of performance on-the-go, the latest P16 Gen 2 features up to 13th Generation Intel Core HX-series processors with professional graphics up to the NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada Generation GPU for mobile workstations that provide breakthroughs in speed, performance, and efficiency. PCIe Gen 5 offers blazing storage and I/O support and up to 192GB DDR5 ensures even the most complex data inputs will not create a bottleneck.
  • ThinkPad P1 Gen 6: Powerful, mobile and an ultra-light sleek design at just 3.92 pounds (1.78kg) epitomizes ThinkPad P1. Ideal for content creators and packed with innovative features including a liquid metal thermal design for advanced cooling performance, the ThinkPad P1 can be configured with a new 16-inch OLED touch screen with 5MP camera or low blue light display to ease eye strain. Factory color calibration delivers crisp, clear images and excellent mobility is enhanced by WiFi-6E4 and optional 4G LTE to maintain connectivity in more remote environments. High performance graphics is delivered by up to the NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada Generation GPU for mobile workstations or NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 4090.
  • ThinkPad P16v i Gen 1: Designed to narrow the value gap between entry and high-end workstations, the new P16v handles large complex workloads with ease thanks to 13th gen Intel Core H series processors, up to the NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada Generation GPU for mobile workstations, and a dual thermal outflow that maximizes cooling, allowing users to push demanding and multitasking applications to the full.
  • ThinkPad P14s i Gen 4 and P16s i Gen 2: Respectively with Lenovo’s 14-inch and 16-inch mobile workstations with the longest battery life5, the latest models, available in black or storm grey, are designed for high performance productivity and collaboration in remote and hybrid working environments, with several display options including OLED and low blue light displays, optional 5MP camera and up to the NVIDIA RTX A500 GPU for mobile workstations.

 

Lenovo offers a comprehensive portfolio of services to support and safeguard workstation investment. The workstation products introduced today can also be available as part of the Lenovo TruScale Device as a Service (DaaS) model that offers organizations a broad range of digital workplace solutions, flexible payment options, and the ability to easily scale IT in line with their evolving business needs. Warranty upgrades and extensions up to five years provide a fixed cost service to protect valuable investments. To further enhance productivity and employee experience, companies can deploy Lenovo Premier Support Plus. This comprehensive suite of support services offers a human-centered approach to IT support, providing users with a seamless experience and direct access to Lenovo’s best technicians.

 

“ThinkStation and ThinkPad workstations power industries in such broad areas including research and design, engineering and finance, media and entertainment, healthcare, and education, “said Rob Herman, VP and GM, Worldwide Workstation and Client AI Business at Lenovo. “Our latest workstations demonstrate our dedication to pursuing human-centric innovations that empower our customers to make a difference and drive a positive long-lasting impact in their respective fields.”

 

The new workstations will be available starting in May 20236. To learn more about Lenovo’s workstation product portfolio, visit: www.lenovo.com/thinkstations/

 

 

Time for action: Minister Patricia De Lille at the opening of Africa’s Travel Indaba

By
Ndumi Hadebe
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Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille

After a warm and hearty welcome by the Mayor of EThekwini Municipality, Mxolisi Kaunda and KZN’s Premier, Nomusa Dube Ncube; Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille declared the 2023 Africa’s Travel Indaba officially opened in the city of Durban.

Ms De Lille set the tone with an inspirational quote from the African Union anthem: “O Sons and Daughters of Africa, Flesh of the Sun and Flesh of the Sky Let us make Africa the Tree of Life, Let us all unite and sing together to uphold the bonds that frame our destiny. Let us dedicate ourselves to fight together for lasting peace and justice on earth.”

The travel and tourism sector, still at its recovery phase due to COVID19, is well represented by about 1000 exhibitors; 1000 buyers from tourism ecosystem and more than 350 tourism products are being showcased at the one of Africa’s biggest tourism business gathering.  It is estimated that 6 000 delegates will be attending – which includes marketing bodies, hotel groups, airlines, tour operators, and 10 African Tourism Boards and 21 African countries represented.

The Minister admits that there’s much work to be done in the sector and declares that she’s ready to bring her passion and no-nonsense attitude to get the job done.

Top on her list is the importance of a healthy competition that is fostered by a spirit of collaborative partnerships with a greater focus on quality and innovation as opposed to relying on undercutting prices as it is detrimental to the sustainability of the sector.

Next on her clean up agenda is supporting tourism enterprises. To which she states that the  Department of Tourism is supporting 123 local small inbound tourism enterprises through its Market Access Support Programme (MASP) to showcase their products and services at the Hidden Gems pavilion during Africa’s Travel Indaba.

“The total value of support approved for the 123 enterprises amounts to R11.7million and this investment will enable these small businesses to display their unique products and services, expand their networks, and foster partnerships that will drive the growth and sustainability of the tourism industry in South Africa.”

Furthermore, South African Tourism will promote all Sho’t Left Travel Week deals, where enterprises are encouraged to give significant discounts to stimulate the local market during the week of 4th to 10th September 2023. To participate, tourism business can simply register on deals.southafrica.net

On the issue of sector performance, De Lille sighted having seen encouraging growth in South Africa’s tourist arrival numbers between January and December 2022 where it reached nearly 5.8million with over 4 million of those arrivals from African countries. This represents an overall inbound increase of 152.6% for South Africa compared to January to December 2021.

“After stronger than expected recovery in 2022, this year could see international tourist arrivals to South Africa return to pre-pandemic levels in Europe and the Middle East.  These numbers demonstrate the immense potential of tourism in Africa, not only as a revenue generator but also as a job creator and a catalyst for faster economic growth.” The Minister added.

The minister admits the sector is facing many challenges – most of which are multi-layered.   But the need for a harmonised visa regime across the continent came up as huge factor as well as an e-visa application process that is seamless and cost effective more attractive destination for both Africans and international travellers.

Despite challenges, there are positive developments such having rolled out the e-visa system to several countries including Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo and we are expanding the e-visa system to an additional 20 countries.  Notably, some African airlines are expanding their fleets and increasing their routes to meet the growing demand for air travel.

The African Union (AU) has also launched the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which aims to liberalise air transport on the continent and promote greater competition and connectivity.

The Minister concluded by addressing the issue of sustainable tourism.

“We must prioritise sustainable tourism practices that addresses climate change, protects our environment and cultural heritage while promoting economic development.

One of the key projects the Department of Tourism in South Africa has to help businesses mitigate climate change and adapt to energy constraints is the Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP).

The programme encourages and incentivizes private sector tourism enterprises to move towards the installation of solutions for the sustainable management and usage of electricity and water resources through installation of solar system and water saving technologies.

The GTIP also ensures an uninterrupted visitor experience for tourists, reduce operational input cost and facilitates increased competitiveness and operational sustainability in the tourism sector.

Apart from providing funding to 130 tourism businesses under this programme, the Department of Tourism also invested R98.5 million to retrofit 8 state owned tourist attractions.

Combined savings for all eight sites is estimated to be just under R40 million by the end of the 2022/23 financial year.”

During her address as well as in the media briefing moderated by CNN’s Richard Quest, Minister Patricia De Lille expressed her utmost commitment to South Africa’s Tourism Sector Recovery Plan which aims to ignite economic growth and create jobs.

Tags: #itsmysouthafrica , Africa Travel indaba, South Africa Tourism

5 Ways to stretch your rands in the most expensive cities in the world

By
Bonnie Smith, GM Corporate Traveller
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christine-Roy -unsplash

When global consultancy firm ECA International published their list of the 10 most expensive cities in the world for business travel in March this year, there were no surprises:

  1. New York
  2. Geneva
  3. Washington DC
  4. Zurich
  5. San Francisco
  6. Tel Aviv
  7. Los Angeles
  8. London
  9. Luanda
  10. Paris

The US and Switzerland dominate the list with – as any traveller on South African rands will tell you – Tel Aviv, London and Paris close behind. And while Luanda might feel like an outlier, Angola’s booming oil economy coupled with a huge demand for safe housing, goods and services among ex-pats is driving the cost of living (and travelling) there.

In fact, perhaps the only surprise is just how expensive things have become. According to ECA, the average cost of a work trip to New York, will cost travellers, on average, $796 per day. Or, depending on the current exchange rate, around R14 638.14.

Is it even possible to make your rand stretch in these cities? Where in London, for example, according to the Office for National Statistics, the average price of a pint of lager is now £4.23 – or approximately R98.42.

Unfortunately, if you’re travelling on rands the exchange rate is against you. Making your budget stretch will require effort, pre-planning and a little ingenuity:

  1. Update – and understand – your per diem

For Bonnie Smith, GM of FCM Travel, setting realistic per diems for travellers is key.

“A travel management company (TMC) will offer guidelines around accommodation spend, as well as meals and incidental travel expenses, depending on the location and even time of year,” says Smith. “This can, and should, vary from city to city, ensuring your travellers have a productive and stress-free trip.”

Importantly, says Smith, this includes understanding what costs are covered by the company and how reimbursements are treated post-trip.

“A traveller needs to understand how much they can spend, what types of expenses aren’t covered under their per diem, as well as how they’re handling payments on the road – is it with a company card, or are travellers being reimbursed post-trip? All this should be laid out clearly in a company’s travel policy, so there is no room for misinterpretation,” says Smith.

  1. Spend a little time securing the right accommodation

While travel bookers often focus on securing the cheapest flights available, you should also spend time researching and weighing up alternative accommodation options. For example, serviced, self-catering apartments can come in cheaper than hotels (with the added bonus of preparing your own meals and snacks on the cheap) – but then you need strict parameters in place to distinguish between per diem meal costs and personal grocery expenses. As Smith explains, costs like parking, laundry, groceries and even alcohol need to be factored in, so your travellers know exactly where they stand – and what costs they’ll be able to claim back.

According to Smith, a good TMC should be able to deliver significant savings when it comes to your hotel programme.  “The FCM platform gives you access to thousands and thousands of different accommodation options, including hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses, which can be narrowed down according to your budget and travel policy,” says Smith. “But we’ll also use our global buying power to negotiate the best rates – and terms –  on your behalf. In this way, you can choose to pay up front or on account, and you can accumulate loyalty points for everything from room upgrades to early check-in and late check-out. It’s a great way to save money, but also ensure your travellers have a safe and consistently good experience – wherever they are in the world.”

  1. Use public transport

New York, Geneva, Zurich and London, in fact all the cities on the list with the exception of Luanda, have extensive, efficient and reliable public transport systems. The cities are easy to get around, whether by bus, train, tram or boat, and if you buy a travel card or day pass, relatively inexpensive. It’s more sustainable too – and a great way to get to know your destination. Put simply, avoid private shuttles and taxis and enjoy the privilege of world-class public transport.

  1. Discover your destination’s street food

Unless you’re entertaining VIP clients, there’s no reason to blow your money at fancy restaurants while on a business trip. New York City is famous for its street food and home to some of the best side carts and food trucks in the world. Believe it or not, you’ll also find food trucks scattered throughout Geneva, especially along the lake shore and in the city’s parks. London is well-known for its markets – and you’ll be able to find delicious, fresh fare on the run at markets around Soho, South Bank and Liverpool Street. In other words, eat like a local and add a touch of colour and authenticity to your trip without breaking the bank!

  1. Look out for great deals on music and entertainment

If you haven’t travelled for a while you’ll want to get as much out of your trip as you can. This includes maximising your downtime to explore the city, take in a show, or wander around a museum. It’s time to embrace your inner backpacker and research the best deals out there! For example, an open top bus trip is a great way to catch a glimpse of all the big sights when you have limited time available; a stroll through Camden Town’s warren of stalls and markets is cheap way to get a dose of (counter) culture; and most cities have free museums and parks to explore. It just takes a little research and planning. Search for attractions that offer free admission and look for discounted tickets to shows and events, for example, the TKTS booth in London’s Leicester Square offers half-price and discounted theatre tickets, while going directly to a theatre on the day can also yield impressive discounts on returns and unsold tickets.

 

About FCM:

FCM, the flagship corporate travel brand at Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG), is the business travel partner of choice for large national, multinational and global corporations. We are an award-winning global corporate travel management company ranking as one of the top five by size around the world. We operate a global network which spans more than 100 countries, employing over 6000 people.

FCM are transforming the business of travel through our empowered and accountable people who deliver 24/7 service and are available either online or offline. Leveraging FCM’s negotiating strength and supplier relationships in conjunction with our tailored business travel programs, our expertise delivers more for our clients where it matters most to them.

Savor uniquely salty sweetness with Starbucks this autumn

By
LnT Desk
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Johannesburg, South Africa – Starbucks SA is thrilled to announce the launch of two new Autumn drinks that are sure to delight coffee lovers and foodies alike.

Customers can enjoy the new Salted Pretzel Hot Chocolate and Chocolatey Pretzel Coffee Frappuccino in Starbucks stores nationwide.

Inspired by the classic snack, the Salted Pretzel Hot Chocolate combines the perfect blend of sweet and salty pretzel flavours with rich hot chocolate, creating a warm and indulgent beverage that’s a truly unique treat. Topped with a chocolatey whip and crunchy pretzel pieces, this delicious drink is perfect for those who love a little bit of crunch with their chocolatey goodness.

Chocolatey Pretzel Coffee Frappuccino

For those looking for a refreshing option, the Chocolatey Pretzel Coffee Frappuccino offers the same sweet and salty pretzel taste, blended with rich chocolate and coffee notes in our iconic Frappuccino blend. Topped with a chocolatey whip and crunchy pretzel pieces, this creamy and delectable drink is the perfect way to welcome the autumn season.

But that’s not all – Starbucks SA is also launching a new tropical-inspired Refresha in May. The Mango Dragonfruit Refresha is crafted with a colourful combination of sweet mango and dragonfruit flavours, hand shaken with ice and finished with diced dragonfruit pieces. This light and refreshing drink offers a taste of the tropics, perfect for those warm spring days.

Dragonfruit has a mildly sweet and refreshing flavour that some say is a cross between a pear and a kiwi, while others may say it more like a mix between a melon and a strawberry. The only way you’ll be able to describe its unique taste is to try it for yourself!

“We’re excited to introduce these new drinks to our customers, and we can’t wait to hear their feedback,” said Ishan Natalie. “Our new Salted Pretzel Hot Chocolate and Chocolatey Pretzel Coffee Frappuccino offer a unique combination of sweet and salty flavors, while our Mango Dragonfruit Refresha provides a refreshing taste of the tropics.”

For more information about Starbucks SA and our new Autumn drinks and Refresha, visit our website or follow us on social media. Come and taste the goodness of Starbucks’ Autumn line-up, where each sip and bite provide the perfect balance of flavours! 

Did you know?

Starbucks coffee is 99% ethically sourced and accredited by Conservation International under the C.A.F.E. Practices programme. Starbucks is committed to ethically sourcing coffee worldwide and including exceptional coffee from nine African countries – Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Zambia, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

For more information, visit www.starbucks.co.za.

How galaxy became the ultimate gamer’s smartphone

By
LnT Desk
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Handson galaxy s23ultra green

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 09 May 2023 – Since the days of the first Galaxy S, mobile gaming has transformed beyond recognition. The most popular games all used to be basic tap-and-swipe titles, but now mobile gaming offers so much more. As the mobile gaming market grows at 1.7 times the rate of the rest of the gaming world, innovation is in high demand.

The line between mobile gaming and PC or console gaming is blurring, and Samsung engineers have been working to obliterate it entirely. With the Galaxy S23, Samsung aimed to set a new standard for what a premium mobile device can do.

Well, mission accomplished.

With the latest hardware, software, processing and more, the newest Galaxy smartphone comprehensively advances every aspect of the device. Galaxy has even optimized the games themselves through open collaboration with developers. The result: a world-class gaming experience with performance elevated in every area.

Creating the Ultimate Gamer’s Smartphone

At the heart of the Galaxy S23 series is the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy. As the most powerful chipset ever in a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, gamers get to have the optimal experience on their smartphones. It makes graphics smoother, with more stable frame rates. And it’s more power-efficient compared to previous models.

That’s increasingly important as mobile games become more demanding. Graphics on mobile titles are getting closer to what’s possible at home. Processors have more 3D rendering challenges. More textures and objects in a scene, plus higher frame rates and increasing resolutions.

The Galaxy S23 handles all this with ease. Samsung worked closely with Qualcomm to optimize the chipset for Galaxy. When development began, the priority was to ensure early GPU compatibility, reliability and optimized performance. The result is a faster GPU designed to keep up with the demands of power users. The new CPU structure also boosts the processing abilities of Galaxy S23 series by about 30% compared to the Galaxy S22 series.

Supporting all this is a key innovation empowering our gaming mission: Galaxy’s vapor cooling chamber. An overheated chipset may have to limit resources to protect both the user and the device. This causes game performance downgrades such as framerate drops. The vapor cooling chamber, made larger on the Galaxy S23 Ultra and brought to the S23+ and S23 models, reinforces gaming performance as it dissipates heat.

Making the Future of Gaming More Mobile

To excel at handling increasingly demanding workloads, a smartphone needs excellent hardware and software — and precise optimization to get the most out of both. The Galaxy S23 delivers the fastest mobile graphics of any Galaxy device. But more importantly, it can now sustain intense gaming performance for longer periods of time than on previous the S series. This was one of the biggest gaps between static and mobile gaming, and Galaxy is closing it.

Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy is also designed to support new technologies such as ray tracing. Capable of handling light source effects such as shadows and reflection, the Galaxy S23 series could enable game developers to apply ray tracing effects on mainstream mobile games. But Samsung is going further as engineers are already working on more future-ready advancements so Galaxy smartphones can handle even more complex effects.

While plenty of smartphones can play games well on the go, Galaxy is striving for something extraordinary. Something like the Galaxy S23 series. Or as we like to think of it, the ultimate gamer’s smartphone — that’s only going to keep getting better. All these advancements help address one of the latest gaming challenges – cross-platform gaming. This is when mobile, console and desktop versions of a game need to share data across devices. This results in higher CPU and GPU loads than conventional games, which is a lot to handle. Good resource management is critical, as is the intelligence to balance performance and power.

Availability

Find your next Galaxy in stores and online. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is available for only R30,999 and the Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Base are R26,499 and R20,995 respectively.

 

How to make this Mother’s Day exciting for the whole family

By
LnT Desk
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Every year, Mother’s Day is celebrated all over the world to acknowledge the value of mother figures in our lives. The person you are celebrating might be a mother, a grandmother, an aunt or any other type of person who played a mothering role in your life.

Traditional ways to acknowledge these hero figures on the day may include a special Mother’s Day card, a gift of chocolate or flowers or even breakfast in bed. While these are great gifts, they shy away from making the day a real celebration for the entire family to bond and enjoy each other’s company.

This Mother’s Day, consider making the event exciting for the whole family with these celebration ideas.

Through celebration of food 

It is often said that the way to one’s heart is through their stomach, meaning that food is a beautiful way to connect with loved ones. For a cute celebration that involves the whole family, Mother’s Day breakfast can be prepared by the children. Simple recipes for kids to prepare include soft boiled eggs and toasted brioche ‘soldiers’ or slices of toasted bread cut into strips which will then be dipped into the eggs.

Flapjacks, granola with yoghurt and lunch recipes such as pizza and burgers are also dishes for the whole family to easily prepare.

For a more hassle-free day, with less washing up, consider taking the family out for the day with a booking at a Mother’s Day celebration somewhere.

Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront in Cape Town for example, is running a Mother’s Day lunch at R595 per person. The Mexican inspired menu includes dishes like smoked chicken casserole, various fresh salads, salted caramel dipped churros, cactus mousse cups and spiced tiramisu among other delicious dishes.

Using technology

Families who live apart or in different parts of the world might find it difficult to find meaningful ways to celebrate the day in a way that the entire family can enjoy. To overcome this, consider using a tool that younger generations know all too well, technology and social media.

Organise with someone who sees mom regularly and invite them along to lunch. Arrange for them to use a tablet (the Nokia T20 tablet is great thanks to its big 10.4” screen & stereo speakers) along, so mom can see you when you dial in.

Then tell mom  your liaison will be fetching her for a Mother’s Day surprise. Get other members of the family, who are also not nearby, involved so they can all dial in at the same time.

Then have everyone ready for when mom dials in – and wish her a boisterous happy Mother’s Day together! (Tell your liaison to have tissues ready, as this moment is sure to be a tear-jerker) After that, you can enjoy a talkative lunch together, from wherever you are.

Through touch and feel 

A spa treatment can be a wonderful way to show your mom how much you care this Mother’s Day. Spa treatments are known for their relaxing and rejuvenating effects, which can help to reduce stress, improve sleep, and boost overall wellbeing. Not only can your mom benefit from these therapeutic effects, but a joint spa treatment can also provide a unique opportunity for bonding and quality time together.

Imagine the two of you enjoying a calming massage in the heart of Kruger National Park, with nothing to do but relax and enjoy each other’s company. Mother’s Day packages such as Dee’s African Spa, based at Kruger Gate Hotel – an upmarket lodge-style hotel that offers uninterrupted views into the Kruger National Park – offering exclusive massage packages with sometimes discounted deals for the special occasion. The Just Me and My Mamma massage package includes a back, neck and shoulder hot stone massage as well as a pedicure for just R1,600.00. The sharing of healing experiences with your mother figure also means that together you create lasting memories that strengthen your relationship in a meaningful way. Simply email  [email protected] to make your booking.

Explorations of meaning

It is not every day that we get to express how much our loved ones mean to us. Whether you’re spending the day at home relaxing, or out and about with the whole family, make sure to let those you care about know how much they mean to you. Gifts and gestures of love do not need to be lavish or extravagant, but are all the more memorable when they include the whole family, laughing and enjoying one another to mark the special day.

 

Close the language gap with AppGallery

By
LnT Desk
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GettyImages

In the past, overcoming a language barrier was a daunting and time-consuming task. People had to rely on textbooks, audio tapes or in-person classes. Not only were these expensive and inflexible but they didn’t allow for interaction with native speakers. Becoming fluent and getting an understanding of the cultural context of a language was very difficult to achieve.

Thanks to digital platforms such as  AppGallery, language learning has become accessible and affordable to more people. Today, you can choose from virtually any language in the world and download an app to help you become fluent.

The sheer variety of language learning and translation apps provide excellent alternatives to attending in-person classes. Few things can beat the convenience and flexibility of learning at your own pace through an app.

A selection of top language learning apps

Here are several highly rated language learning and translation apps available on AppGallery:

  1. Angula

Angula teaches people African languages using the voices of native speakers. The app prioritizes natural pronunciations in order to get learners to learn the language and get them as close as possible to the spoken language. To do this, the team collaborates with native speakers to make exclusive recordings for language courses and content.

  1. LingoDeer

LingoDeer offers comprehensive courses in Korean, Japanese, Chinese and more. Its interactive lessons and quizzes make learning fun and engaging. One of the app’s most exciting features is its ability to engage in real-time conversations, eliminating the need for an interpreter.

  1. Duolingo

Duolingo is one of the most popular language learning apps that provides lessons in multiple languages. These include Spanish, French and German. Its gamified approach to learning keeps users motivated and the real-time conversation feature enables you to practice without having to speak to an interpreter.

  1. Learn Korean

Learn Korean is a dedicated app for learning the Korean language. It offers lessons on grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Just like the other apps mentioned above, Learn Korean lets you communicate in real-time with native speakers to enhance your conversation skills.

  1. Learn Japanese

Learn Japanese provides a comprehensive learning experience for the Japanese language, covering grammar, vocabular, and kanji. Spend just 15 minutes a day to learn basic Japanese phrases to help you become a fluent speaker.

  1. Tandem Language Exchange

Tandem is a unique app that connects users with native speakers for real-time language exchange. Users can practice speaking their target language and help others learn their native language. This immersive learning experience is something that will ensure you get the hang of any language far quicker than using any traditional means.

AppGallery is an invaluable resource for bridging the language gap by offering a range of learning and translation apps. Using these apps, you can learn at your own pace while also engaging with real-time conversations with native language speakers. Head over to AppGallery today and get learning, what are you waiting for?

Recent developments in the NFT, Metaverse and Web space

By
Darshan Moodley
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As technology continues to advance, the digital landscape is constantly evolving, presenting new opportunities and challenges for Intellectual Property (IP) law. There have been notable developments involving the interplay between Intellectual Property, Non-Fungible Tokens (“NFTs”), and the Metaverse, since the publication of our previous article on the topic.

Firstly, the Hermès v Rothschild case, which was touched on in our previous article, involved a trade mark infringement matter between Hermès, the luxury fashion brand, and artist Mason Rothschild over Rothschild’s use of an NFT called “MetaBirkin,” which depicted an image of a handbag resembling Hermès’ iconic Birkin bag. The court recently ruled in favour of Hermès, finding that the use infringed Hermès’ BIRKIN trade mark. The court held that Rothschild’s use of the MetaBirkin NFT was likely to cause confusion among consumers and dilute the value of Hermès’ BIRKIN trade mark. Rothschild’s First Amendment (expressive art) defence was dismissed. This case, although decided in terms of the laws of the United States of America, is important as it considered the extent to which NFTs can infringe existing trade mark rights that do not cover uses of the trade mark as NFTs. Whilst the case was not viewed from a copyright perspective, the existing trade mark law in the United States of America proved to be adequate to cover trade mark infringements in the new digital space. It is difficult to say whether legislation in other countries will be applied in a similar manner.

On 31 January 2023, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission issued a notice, in terms of Regulation 4(3) of the Trade Marks Act 194 of 1993, directing that the 12th Edition of the Nice Classification of Goods and Services is applicable to all trade mark applications filed from 1 January 2023 in South Africa.

The 12th Edition of the Nice Classification addresses the classification of digital assets by updating specific classes with the applicable goods and services. For example, class 9 has been updated to include “downloadable computer software for managing crypto asset transactions using blockchain technology”; “downloadable cryptographic keys for receiving and spending crypto assets”; and “downloadable digital files authenticated by non-fungible tokens [NFTs]”. The updates to class 9 signal an intention to cover NFTs by broadening the term ‘cryptocurrencies’ to ‘crypto assets’, which would encompass other blockchain-based digital assets, including NFTs.

Class 41, which encompasses services such as “education; providing of training; entertainment; sporting and cultural activities”, has been updated to include “providing online virtual guided tours”, which covers specific services offered in the Metaverse.

“Cryptocurrency mining/crypto mining” was already catered for under class 42 in the 11th Edition of the Nice Classification. However, the 12th Edition now includes “mining of crypto assets / crypto mining” services. As shown in the updates to Class 9, the broader category of digital assets, as opposed to cryptocurrencies alone, has been included in the 12th Edition of the Nice Classification to address the developments NFTs and the trade of NFTs, even via the Metaverse. This provides some much-needed clarity, given the influx of trade mark filings by brand owners who seek to protect their brands in the digital space or who wish to take full advantage of these technological developments and propel their brands into the Web3 revolution.

It is interesting to note that the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO) has, since the 12th Edition of the Nice Classification came into force this year, released guidelines relating to trade mark filings and, specifically, the appropriate classifications relating to filings covering NFTs and the Metaverse. The UKIPO states that NFTs cannot be classified as a stand-alone term but must provide an indication of the asset that it relates to, such as digital art, downloadable graphics, or downloadable digital files authenticated by NFTs. The guidelines also clarify that NFTs can be used to authenticate physical goods, which will be accepted in the appropriate class in which the physical goods would ordinarily fall. Additionally, virtual goods must also be clearly defined, such as downloadable virtual footwear or handbags, which, for example, relate to virtual goods downloaded in the Metaverse for use on users’ online avatars. Where a service can be delivered virtually, the UKIPO will continue to accept terminology such as “educational services delivered virtually” in class 41, in line with the recent update to the 12th Edition of the Nice Classification. Similarly, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has also released guidelines concerning the filing of trade marks relevant to NFTs and the Metaverse.

In April 2023, the International Trade Mark Association (“INTA”), spearheaded by its committees and sub-committees, published two white papers dealing with NFTs and the Metaverse, respectively. The white papers focus on key aspects of both NFTs and the Metaverse and analyse both from a trade mark perspective. The intention was to assist the IP community in navigating largely unchartered waters. The papers may also prove useful in assisting policy/law makers in formulating guidelines or legislation. For readers wanting to delve deeper, the white papers can be accessed from the following link on INTA’s website.

In this rapidly changing digital landscape, we will have our finger on the pulse and be monitoring developments in the NFT, Metaverse and Web3 space.

Discover the continent -Africa Travel Indaba 2023

By
Ndumi Hadebe
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Speaker and businessman, Vusi Thembekwayo, laid a solid foundation as he put forward the question if people of the African continent are really taking the responsibility and ownership of telling their own African stories.  And, how the fullness of the African story would be responsibly ‘packaged’ if we travelled the continent more to simply connect with its beauty and magnificence.  He concluded with a direct message to business owners that they ought to see themselves as a vehicle and/or messenger of something greater than themselves as they deliver services and products to their respective markets.

With that, the 2023 edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023 began its colourfully curated Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay).  This year’s Indaba theme is ‘unlimited Africa’ with a sub-theme Discover-Connect-Grow, BONDay kicked off on an inspired note, packed with plenary sessions as well as focused stream discussions.

Lifestyle and Tech attended a stream that shed light into the topic – Enabling SME’s through Innovation & Marketing Intelligence. 

Moderated by Septi Bukula founder of Seeza Tourism SME Network, the panel included Air BnB’s Head of Policy for Middle East and Africa, Gwen Ngwenya; Digital Council Africa’s Chief Executive, Juanita Clark; founder-tour operator of ABCD Travel, Buntu Matole and Bronwn Auret of Tourism Grading Counsel of South Africa.

Juanita highlighted the importance of adopting digital tools for SME’s as the 600% increase in e-commerce purchases since 2020 is an indicator that consumers are on board – despite trust factors around online purchases; specifically the issue of entering banking details on digital platforms.

A question was posed about how big players like AirBnB impact under-served areas such as townships and rural communities, to which Ms Ngwenya responded, “We’ve ensured that our system is simple and lowers barrier to entry – giving entrepreneurs of all sizes immediate access to market; giving opportunity to people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to actively participate in this sector.”

Mr Matole shared a testimony of how being part of the AirBnB Academy since 2016 has helped his business scale to a point that his customers can book tours seamlessly without him being personally involved.

The stream ended with a reminder to entrepreneurs to be the customer of their own product by becoming active travellers in South Africa and the rest of the continent.

Taking South Africa’s SMMEs on a digital journey

By
Makgosi Mabaso
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Makgosi Mabaso

South Africa’s underperforming SMME sector needs to embrace digital transformation to realise its potential. Providing it with the right technology offerings is key.

Two realities are driving business globally, and the SMME sector has to catch the wave or risk jeopardising its future sustainability. Digital transformation was always coming, but its forward momentum has been accelerated by the COVID-19 lockdowns, which graphically demonstrated the link between digital platforms and the agility to respond to disruptions.

The second, related trend, is that the digital revolution has created a business environment that is highly competitive, but which at the same time offers huge new opportunities. Digital technologies allow SMMEs to compete with more sophisticated and better resourced competitors by enabling them to offer more services more cost-effectively than would be possible in a totally analogue world.

Research by the US Chamber of Commerce shows that 93% of small businesses that use technology grow faster, are more profitable and can hire more employees. The situation is less rosy in South Africa—according to the SME Landscape Report, 50% of SME owners say that lack of technology is an obstacle to growing their business, with half of those companies citing that lack of access to stable and reliable internet was the principal obstacle. More  perturbing, only 35% of SMEs are prepared for disruption, and only 32% are ready for innovation.

This lack of technology is a major contributing factor to the significant underperformance of South Africa’s SMMEs as compared to SMMEs in countries that are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). In The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, SMEs create 60-70% of employment and contribute up to 60% of GDP. By contrast, despite making up 98.5% of the economy, South African SMEs only contribute 28% of the jobs.

The SME Landscape Report identifies high data costs as a major obstacle—data is more expensive in South Africa than in other developing economies. South African SMEs are highly dependent on mobile data. Fibre is less widely used, thus further constraining SMEs in the use of WiFi. Most SMEs use WiFi to connect to the Internet, and a growing minority to access the cloud—only 27% use cloud services all the time, with a further 19% using them intermittently.

Here’s the real eye-opener: only 20% of SMEs use e-commerce regularly—a huge potential new market just waiting to be entered.

On the plus side, though, 70% of SMEs are enthusiastic about embracing new technologies.

Getting the recipe right

My own experience is that SMMEs are intrinsically cautious, and slow adopters of technology. This is understandable: they are typically under-resourced and so cannot afford expensive missteps. In addition, many are short on technology skills, and do not have the luxury of IT staff to advise them. Sticking to the tried-and-trusted ways of doing things makes apparent good sense but, in fact, makes them extremely vulnerable to disruption. It also puts a brake on their growth—not least because the ability to accept and make digital payments is increasingly important in a digital world.

The capability to transact digitally also creates a basic financial record that can help demonstrate that an SMME qualifies for capital funding from the financial sector. Lack of access to capital is frequently cited as a reason for SMME underperformance and even failure.

Taken together, these factors create something of a burning platform: SMMEs need to embark on a journey of digital transformation now in order to maintain their viability and grow, and the country desperately needs them to do so in order to grow the economy and create jobs.

To us at Telkom Business, this places an onus on service providers to develop the offerings that will assist the SMME sector make this transition successfully. Speaking for ourselves, under our Business Fusion banner we have created highly flexible bundles that address many of the obstacles identified above. These bundles can be customised, but the basic premise is unlimited fibre and data, unlimited voice over IP and one or more mobile SIMs. The premise of limitless access is important because of the access it gives, but also because it means that billing is predictable, somethings that’s key for SMMEs.

No more running out of data!

Another important principle is to look beyond simply providing product—basic consultative services are also part of the package, as is support.

This kind of approach makes it easy for SMMEs to access the connectivity technology they need to begin the journey, and in a way that minimises risk. It’s also important to have the next step available for them—typically well-priced cloud services such as cloud-based PBX, cybersecurity, marketing, web design and domain hosting, to name a few.

The digital journey is one that holds out immense promise for our SMMEs. To support this journey, it is incumbent on the market to understand what they need, and then provide it. If we get it right, the sky is literally the limit.

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