Phillip Crafford - Belgium Campus iTversity

Did Google spy on you?

A court case in the US over allegations that Google collected app-based activity and other information about users, even when they had opted out, has spread to SA, raising privacy concerns about how the search giant used South Africans’ activity.

In September 2025, a jury found Google liable on two California privacy claims and awarded $425.65 million in compensatory damages in the Rodriguez et al vs Google class action. Media reports indicate Google has denied the allegations and says it will appeal the ruling, meaning the litigation is not yet final and no compensation is currently being distributed.

Did Google spy on you? Read More »

Person holding a smartphone to film a soccer match in a packed stadium at night.

Software Engineering for Accessibility: FIFA 2026 & Deaf Fans

Uncategorised / Phillip Crafford

The article explores why data science and analytics careers in South Africa are rapidly growing as organisations become increasingly data driven. It explains how data now underpins business strategy, AI adoption, and digital transformation, creating strong demand for analysts, engineers, and data scientists. The article outlines how students can enter the field, the essential skills needed in 2026, and why data literate professionals are critical to South Africa’s economic growth, innovation, and public sector modernisation. It positions data careers as future proof, high impact pathways with strong earning potential and long term relevance.

Software Engineering for Accessibility: FIFA 2026 & Deaf Fans Read More »

A set of keys lies in the foreground, with two keychains showing the Google and Microsoft logos. In the background, several dark doors stand slightly open, each glowing with warm light from behind. Above the doors are icons representing different digital or business systems, including email, collaboration, cloud services, ERP, CRM, finance, and payments. The image symbolises access to multiple digital platforms through shared credentials or integrations.

24 billion record breach puts SMEs at greatest risk

News Articles / Phillip Crafford

Small businesses with inadequate IT support, which rely on single sign-on credentials for access to e-mail, accounting software and customer relationship management (CRM) platforms, are the most at risk from a data breach containing 24 billion records, say two experts.

Cybernews researchers found an exposed Elasticsearch cluster – a high-performance database that stores, indexes and rapidly searches massive volumes of structured data – containing 24 billion records and more than 8.3TB of data. The database was exposed to the internet because of a configuration error, it says.

24 billion record breach puts SMEs at greatest risk Read More »

A group of four people stand in front of a blue SAICTA-branded backdrop. The person on the far left holds a framed certificate awarded to Jacqui Muller for winning the ICT Professional of the Year Award 2026. The second person from the left holds a glass trophy. All four individuals are smiling and posing for a celebratory photo.

SAICTA Honours Jacqui Muller as ICT Professional of the Year 2026

News Articles / Phillip Crafford

The South African ICT Association (SAICTA) is proud to announce Jacqui Muller as the recipient of the ICT Professional of the Year Award 2026, one of the flagship honours presented at the inaugural SAICTA ICT Excellence Awards Gala.

Selected from an exceptional field of nominees, Jacqui was recognised for her outstanding leadership, technical expertise, and long standing commitment to advancing South Africa’s digital ecosystem and practice Her career reflects a commitment to strengthening governance, driving innovation and fostering excellence across the country’s rapidly evolving digital economy.

SAICTA Honours Jacqui Muller as ICT Professional of the Year 2026 Read More »

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Local Grade 7 learners get a chance to look to the future

News Articles / Phillip Crafford

Grade 7 learners at primary schools in Macassar and Somerset West were introduced to a wide range of careers and skills-based opportunities last week as their schools hosted back-to-back career days.

On Wednesday 27 May Firgrove Primary School hosted neighbouring Oklahoma Street and St Paul’s primary schools for a joint Life Orientation Club Expo.

Local Grade 7 learners get a chance to look to the future Read More »

A metallic humanoid robot rests its chin on its hand in a thoughtful pose, surrounded by floating translucent letters against a blue gradient background, suggesting artificial intelligence and digital processing.

What Capitec’s AI investment says about the future of higher education

News Articles / Phillip Crafford

South Africa’s biggest bank by customer numbers just told the market something every university in the country should pay serious attention to. It indicates a step change in the skills companies need, and the bank is taking charge of this upskilling.

Capitec‘s latest annual report shows a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) training, as it put 568 employees through cloud-focused learning last year with staff clocking nearly 43,000 hours on Udemy Business and Pluralsight. The bank is running its own masterclasses in SQL, Java and JavaScript, and has built internal “centres of mastery” across engineering, data and payments.

This is more than a skill investment story. While continuous upskilling remains a vital corporate responsibility, it signals how rapidly the capabilities required by industry are evolving, making it vital for higher education and industry to work together more closely. That is a gap that institutions of higher learning, private and public, increasingly need to address.

What Capitec’s AI investment says about the future of higher education Read More »

A young person with curly hair and glasses sits in a softly lit room, interacting with two glowing holographic screens. The screens display colourful cosmic visuals, creating a futuristic, augmented‑reality effect. Shelves and books are visible in the background, adding a warm, study‑like atmosphere.

SA repeats old education mistakes as AI emerges

News Articles / Phillip Crafford

A pattern is emerging within our schooling system that needs highlighting as South Africa faces its next major technology decision.

In coding and robotics, with the best intentions, directives were given, curriculum was developed, and then the move forward stalled.

We are beginning to see take shape again with artificial intelligence (AI), writes Celeste Labuschagne, PhD candidate, and lecturer and learning framework developer at Belgium Campus iTversity.

SA repeats old education mistakes as AI emerges Read More »

A humanoid robot with a friendly digital face sits on a couch holding a bowl of popcorn, next to a golden retriever and a person wrapped in a beige blanket holding a mug. The three share a warm, cosy living‑room setting with soft lighting, plants, and framed pictures in the background.

ANALYSIS: To be or not to be, that is the AI question

News Articles / Phillip Crafford

As artificial intelligence (AI) heavyweights concede the technology may one day develop consciousness, academics warn that humans are already treating bots as sentient beings – a trend that is not only scientifically inaccurate but potentially dangerous.

Celeste Labuschagne, a lecturer at Belgium Campus iTVersity and a PhD candidate, points out that Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently said the company cannot fully rule out the possibility that advanced AI systems could possess some form of consciousness in the future.

ANALYSIS: To be or not to be, that is the AI question Read More »

Two people in hooded sweatshirts work in a dimly lit room filled with computer equipment. One sits at a desk typing on a keyboard while looking at a monitor displaying code and facial‑recognition data. The other stands beside them holding a tablet. Cables and a drink are visible on the desk, creating a scene suggestive of cybersecurity or hacking activity.

Banks and financial services fear AI hackers but the real threat is stranger

Uncategorised / Phillip Crafford

The banking sector is right to be worried about AI-powered cyberattacks – AI can now find vulnerabilities, breach systems, and move through networks at a speed that keeps security teams up at night. But that’s only part of what we should be concerned about.

More troubling, and less discussed outside IT, is what happens when these systems operate autonomously and together. AI is no longer just following instructions; it is increasingly exploring data, social networks and news to shape its own interactions.

The big shift is that AI has shown its ability to act like it has intentions and can make its own decisions.

Banks and financial services fear AI hackers but the real threat is stranger Read More »

A group of eight people stand in front of a blue SAICTA-branded backdrop, each holding a framed certificate. One person in the front centre also holds a trophy. They are dressed in smart or formal attire and are posing together for a celebratory photo, suggesting they have received awards or recognition.

South Africa’s ICT trailblazers honoured at inaugural SAICTA awards gala

Uncategorised / Phillip Crafford

The ICT sector’s brightest stars, pioneering innovators, and influential leaders were honoured at the South African ICT Association’s (SAICTA’s) inaugural ICT Excellence Awards Gala Dinner.

Held at the Johannesburg Country Club in Auckland Park, the evening recognised excellence, innovation, leadership and professional contribution within the South African ICT sector. The Awards, which were not just a reflection of recognition, are the start of a new phase in SAICTA’s evolution.

“These Awards are about building a culture in which ICT professionals, startups, women in tech and young trailblazers are seen, valued and encouraged to continue making a meaningful contribution to our country in the digital future,” SAICTA CEO Dr Jannie Zaaiman says.

South Africa’s ICT trailblazers honoured at inaugural SAICTA awards gala Read More »