Tech

Vodacom launches hybrid coding boot camp to empower South African girls

Published

1 year ago

September 8, 2023

South African telecommunications giant, Vodacom has launched a hybrid coding boot camp for young girls in the country which will provide virtual training accessibility to participants.

The Human Resources Director of Vodacom South Africa, Njabulo Mashigo, who disclosed this on Friday, said the programme which would run between October 2nd and 6th, is part of this year”s #CodeLikeaGirl programme, targeting girls aged between 14 and 18.

“The on-site training will be hosted at 19 Schools of Excellence across the country, with virtual training accessible to all female learners who meet the criteria,” Mashigo said.

The official said the programme was designed to bridge a gap after realizing that female participation in STEM fields in the country was lagging.

“With our 2023 hybrid instalment of this critical initiative, we are driving access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for more girls and addressing the severe gender gap in these fields,” he said.

“Through #CodeLikeaGirl, we are empowering young women with valuable coding and other life skills to equip them for jobs of the future and ensure diversity in STEM.”

He further reiterated that at the five-day boot camp, girls would be exposed to coding, robotics and other ICT development programmes, nurturing their confidence in digital learning and skills and opening the possibility to pursue STEM further.

“There is also a life skills component, with female mentors available to share their experiences of working in STEM and serve as visible role models.

“At Vodacom, we want to #ShowUpforHer by actively breaking barriers to gender inequality. The success of #CodeLikeaGirl is testament to the need to increase representation as we aim to build a digitally inclusive society,” Mashigo added.

Click to comment

Tech

DR Congo sues tech giant Apple over illegal mineral exploitation

Published

21 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has filed a criminal case against the European subsidiaries of tech giant, Apple, accusing them of illegal mineral exploitation and allegedly using “blood minerals” in its supply chain.

In the suit filed on Tuesday, the DRC alleges that Apple has bought contraband supplies from the country’s conflict-ladden east and Rwanda, zones in which it allege the materials are mined illegally and then integrated into global supply chains before ending up in tech devices.

The DRC suit specifically mentioned Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing the tech giant of using conflict minerals in its supply chain.

The DRC is a major source of tin, tantalum, and tungsten which are used in electronic devices, with some mines controlled by armed groups responsible for human rights violations.

International lawyers representing the African country’s government have accused Apple’s local subsidiaries of taking these minerals from conflict areas and laundering them through international supply chains, with one lawyer telling journalists that Belgium had a moral duty to act given its history of exploiting the country’s resources under colonial rule.

However, in its response, Apple claims it conducts supplier audits and does not directly source primary minerals.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1262670-dr-congo-sues-apple-over-alleged-illegal-mineral-exploitation

Tech

Moroccan retail-tech startup Z raises $1.5m to drive intense growth

Published

4 days ago

December 15, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Morocco-based B2B retail-tech marketplace, ZSystems, has announced closing a $1.5 million seed funding round which will see it carry out its ambitious expansion dreams.

In a statement by co-founder and CEO, Meriem Benabad, the funding round was led by Morocco-based Venture Capital firms, MNF Ventures (through its MNF II fund), Witamax (through Fund II and III), Cash Plus Ventures, and Kalys Ventures.

“This funding marks a pivotal moment for Z, as we aim to scale operations and bring cutting-edge solutions to traditional retail.

“Our vision is to empower small businesses and unlock growth across Morocco and Africa,” Benabad said.

According to Benabad, the newly acquired capital will support Z’s technology development, product catalogue expansion, and preparation for its next growth phase.

“Z is reshaping the retail landscape by integrating technology and innovation across the value chain. Its scalable platform empowers traditional retailers and brands with direct access to consumers, reviving competitiveness in traditional trade (hanouts), which accounts for 85% of the FMCG market,” he added.

Founded in 2022 by the trio of Benabad, Samer Choumar and Youssef Ait-Haddouch, Z’s platform empowers traditional retailers and brands with direct access to consumers, reviving competitiveness in traditional trade (hanouts), which accounts for 85% of the FMCG market.

Since launch, the startup has helped over 15,000 active retailers, and seen more than 800,000 orders placed.