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PRESS: TADHack Johannesburg entries are now open

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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 9th SEPTEMBER 2021, –/ Centre for African Journalists (CAJ News) – MTN is pleased to announce the return of TADHack South Africa, this year from 24 – 26 September. This marks the fifth consecutive year of the global hackathon which, due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, will once again be hosted virtually.

TADHack runs simultaneously in 15 locations and encourages young creative minds to build solutions for problems using telecoms and other Application Programming Interfaces (API). Prize money of a $1000 global TADHack voucher and possible internships will be awarded to the winning solution, although there are several prizes up for grabs this year which will also include joint MoMo and ayoba prizes.

This year’s theme is “emerging from the pandemic”. Where the 2020 TADHack hackathon focused on solving problems when the pandemic hit, twelve months later the entire world, along with all South Africans, are trying to emerge from the previous year’s challenges. Therefore, the aim is to challenge participants to see how South Africa can emerge from the pandemic by solving local COVID-19 related issues by using the ayoba messaging app, MTN’s Mobile Money (MoMo), and a multitude of local and global sponsor technologies.

“TADHack offers an engaging way for us to unlock the creative and innovative talent that already exists in SA. The event brings together our entrepreneurs, budding technologists, and community ambassadors to leverage technology to solve the pressing issues we face as a country. Our ayoba and MoMo products have such value to offer and when considered together, we see even more potential benefit to the people of South Africa and the continent. Collaborations such as making connections, networking, chatting, and sharing the same end goal; along with monetisation, changes the mindset of fintech and drives financial inclusion in our society,” says MTN’s Executive for Information Technology, Phinda Ncala.

“Participants need to bring the two brands together and show that together they can achieve even greater outcomes. We cannot think of a better expression of MTN’s commitment to the future of South Africa,” says Ncala.

Participants will be judged based on the impact their proposed solutions would bring to an environment where people are still recovering from the physical, emotional and financial strife resulting from the pandemic. The user centricity and simplicity of the idea, as well as its security, business model and creativity will also be contributing factors to the winning solution.

Prospective participants will have to register for both the MoMo as well as the ayoba apps by downloading them from any app store.

Interested participants can register on https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tadhackza-tickets-156661357337

For more information, terms and conditions please visit www.tadhack.com

Distributed by Centre for African Journalists (CAJ News) on behalf of MTN.

Larissa Meacher
Specialist: Communications
Mobile: +27 83 212 2332
Larissa.Meacher@mtn.com | www.mtn.co.za

About the MTN Group
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator with a clear vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers. We are inspired by our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life.

The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code ‘MTN’. Our strategy, Ambition 2025, is anchored on building the largest and most valuable platform business, with a clear focus on Africa. www.mtn.com

NVisit us at www.mtn.com or www.mtn.co.za
Follow us on Twitter @MTNza

 

 

 

No justice, two years after aid workers’ killing

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from ADANE BIKILA in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA, (CAJ News) – AN aid group is calling for justice two years after an equal number of workers were killed by unknown assailants in western Ethiopia.

Action Against Hunger reiterated the demand after its driver Alebachew Yemam Muhuye (40) and Khat Top Gatluack (30), who led mobilisation efforts, were ambushed and killed in Gambella by perpetrators dressed in paramilitary uniforms.

The deceased men have been hailed as a lifeline to the communities served by the American-based organisation and delivered vital support to severely malnourished children in the local refugee camps,

While the assailants are still unknown, Action Against Hunger urged the regional government in Gambella and the federal government in Addis Ababa to renew efforts and bring those behind the attack to justice.

“We can and must do more to protect aid workers like Khat and Alebachew,” the humanitarian organisation stated.

“We continue to mourn the loss of our team members, and will never forget their selfless work to help communities in Gambella. Our thoughts and support are with their families, friends and colleagues.”

Since the beginning of 2021 alone, Action Against Hunger reports that nearly 200 aid workers around the world have been killed, injured or kidnapped while providing lifesaving aid to vulnerable people.

Ethiopia is becoming increasingly dangerous for aid workers.

A total of 23 humanitarian workers have been killed in the northern Tigray since the outset of a conflict late last year.

– CAJ News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hackathon aids SA’s emergences from pandemic

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by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – YOUNG creative minds have been offered a platform to build solutions for problems using telecommunications and other application programming interfaces (API) as South Africa emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.

This follows the return of the TADHack South Africa, to be held for the fifth consecutive year.

MTN has announced the opening of the entries for the hackathon, which will once again be held virtually because of the pandemic.

It will be held from September 24 – 26 under the theme, “Emerging from the Pandemic.”

While the 2020 TADHack hackathon focused on solving problems when the pandemic hit, twelve months later the entire world, along with all South Africans, are trying to emerge from the previous year’s challenges.

According to organisers, therefore, the aim is to challenge participants to see how South Africa can emerge from the pandemic by solving local COVID-19 related issues by using the Ayoba messaging app, MTN’s Mobile Money (MoMo), and other local and global sponsor technologies.

TADHack runs simultaneously in 15 locations.

“TADHack offers an engaging way for us to unlock the creative and innovative talent that already exists in SA,” explained MTN’s Executive for Information Technology, Phinda Ncala.

“The event brings together our entrepreneurs, budding technologists, and community ambassadors to leverage technology to solve the pressing issues we face as a country,” he added.

MTN believes its ayoba and MoMo products have potential benefit to the people of South Africa and the continent.

“Collaborations such as making connections, networking, chatting, and sharing the same end goal; along with monetisation, changes the mindset of fintech and drives financial inclusion in our society,” Ncala said.

Prize money of a US$1 000 global TADHack voucher and possible internships will be awarded to the winning solution.

– CAJ News

 

 

South Africans save millions by sharing

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by MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – SOUTH African mobile users are saving R390 million (US$27,45 million) on data monthly by sharing applications through offering that offer file transfers at no cost.

This enables millions in the country to evade the high cost of data, according to SHAREit.

The company, which has nearly 20 million monthly active users in South Africa, discloses a million apps are shared daily and 10 million GB of data transferred monthly. Transfers can go up to 20 MB/sec.

Chanel Hardman, Country Manager at SHAREit, said people loved to share apps, videos and games with each other but were limited by budgets and the cost of data.

“Consumers want to do more with their mobile devices, they want to share experiences and engage with friends and family,” she added.

“This is one of the reasons why SHAREit has become such a success. Currently, the app has nearly 20 million monthly active users in South Africa.”

Hardman quoted the Worldwide Mobile Data Pricing 2021 report by Cable, which unpacked more than 6 000 mobile data plans across 230 countries.

South Africa sits on 136th place at R39 on average for 1GB of mobile data.

Nonetheless, it is not the most expensive. Equatorial Guinea is, with R509. Still, Israel and Italy sit at less than R2.

SHAREit spans 150 countries and regions.

Hardman believes brands could use SHAREit to achieve solid business growth and to gain a foothold on this growing platform.

The platform runs marketing campaigns for various industries ranging from telecommunication, e-commerce and gaming.

“It’s a smart business move as it puts solutions in front of millions of people who are hungry for new experiences, and who have moved to us because they are data and budget-conscious,” Hardman concluded.

– CAJ News

 

Online Loan Services – Apply for instant Cash in South Africa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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