Limpopo plant oils facility will boost job creation

The Nkowankowa demonstration centre - a plant oils and extracts facility, was opened in Tzaneen, Limpopo, to boost job creation, department of science and technology spokesperson Lunga Ngqengelele said, adding that the centre had already selected 33 potential entrepreneurs and directly employed 13 people. Read more >>

Investment in astronomy to be enhanced: minister

Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor accepted recommendations made in a report submitted by the Astronomy Desk, headed by Professor Manfred Hellberg and supported by a reference team of leading scientists. The team submitted its report to the Minister in March 2011. Read more >>

Early-career scientists' academy launched

An early-career scientists' academy, the latest offshoot of the rapidly growing Global Young Academy, has been launched in South Africa. The South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS), with 20 founding members, was inaugurated recently by the Department of Science and Technology and the Academy of Science of South Africa. SAYAS strives to nurture the development of top young academics and to unlock their collective potential, in order to tackle national and global issues. Read more >>

The reseller lives on

[Deon Botha] The traditional role of the reseller as a box dropper to move products from the distributor to the end user is an outdated model, as the market has changed and margins are becoming increasingly tight on constantly evolving technology. However the role of the reseller has not fallen away, as there are specific markets that their offering is particularly suited to and added services that resellers can cater to in order to maintain profitability in a changing market. Read more >>

Local start-ups get exposure at Tech4Africa conference

Eight local technology start-ups have been offered a unique opportunity to pitch their business ideas to delegates, potential investors and media at this year's Tech4Africa conference, taking place at The Forum in Bryanston, Johannesburg on 27 and 28 October 2011. Read more >>

3D air traffic control simulator unveiled

Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS), South Africa's sole air traffic operator, unveiled a new hi-tech three-dimensional air traffic control simulator at its Kempton Park training college. ATNS had identified an urgent need for specialised aviation equipment to allow for the effective and cost-efficient local training of new air traffic controllers. Read more >>

Mixed reaction to Zuma's Padayachie move

[Duncan McLeod & Craig Wilson] President Jacob Zuma's decision to redeploy communications minister Roy Padayachie and his deputy, Obed Bapela, has drawn mixed reaction from the information and communications technology industry, with one analyst saying he was "stunned" by the move and that it would delay several important projects, including the migration to digital terrestrial television. Read more >>

SABC makes or breaks communications ministers

[Chris Moerdyk: @chrismoerdyk] When the new communications minister was shifted out of her role as deputy minister of the department last year and into the presidency, I wondered if she breathed a huge sigh of relief. And I wonder now whether she is really as happy as she seems about going back, in spite of being promoted to full minister? Read more >>

Wal-Mart hearings focus on efficiencies, labour

[Paul Vecchiatto] The Competition Appeals court hearings into the Wal-Mart/Massmart merger turned mainly around labour and economic efficiency issues that the giant US retailer could bring into the local market. Read more >>

"Skeem" gets top award for Greene

Cape Town movie director Tim Greene has scooped the Audience Choice award for "Skeem" at the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, according to Channel24 and Sowetan Live. "Skeem" is a comedy adventure story about a group of small-time crooks and greedy holiday-makers who scheme to get their hands of a box of cash at a run-down resort. Read more >>