COVID-19 BC Communications
Drones, AI ‘removing humans from the battlefield’
Drones and artificial intelligence (AI) are the most significant tactical evolution since World War II – rapidly rewriting the rules of modern warfare and creating concerns that humans are being removed from the decision-making process.
The latest conflict to make use of drones erupted at the end of February after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets following the failure of talks over Iran’s nuclear programme.
South Africa’s education crisis is worse than it seems
While South Africa celebrated the announcement of the 88% matric pass rate in 2025, the highest in the country’s history, a sky-high unemployment rate and low economic growth are signs that the country is facing a severe education crisis.
Land Bank declines to confirm R50m ransom claim as cyber investigation continues
The Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank) has declined to confirm or deny reports that cybercriminals demanded a R50 million ransom following a cybersecurity breach last month, saying it will not comment on alleged ransom demands while investigations are ongoing.
This comes after the Land Bank reported a “temporary disruption affecting certain internal IT systems” that occured on 12 January, after which it took offline the affected systems as a precautionary measure to protect its operations and information.
Superbalist turns to AI search to fend off rivals
Online shopping portal Superbalist has aligned its content and commerce strategy with LLM-driven discovery.
The company, spun out of Takealot in September 2024 after revenue pressure from companies like Temu and Shein, is betting on generative engine optimisation (GEO) to attract e-shoppers.
Research-led talks to drive SA’s red meat sector decision-making
As South Africa’s red meat industry faces mounting pressure from animal disease risks, climate volatility and shifting market requirements, role players are increasingly turning to research-led platforms to support better decision-making across the value chain.
SA’s matric IT learners passing but not mastering subjects
Serious intervention is needed in how SA schools teach specialised IT subjects, if the country is to fully take advantage of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI).
In her results announcement of the matric class of 2025, basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube noted that “quality is measured by what learners can do, and by whether opportunity stays open in gateway subjects”.
South Africa’s education crisis: Rethinking matric pass marks and vocational training
As South Africa reflects on the latest matric results, some in jubilation, some in sadness, academia faces a very harsh reality in that if we are, as a society, to succeed on a socio-economic level, we need to urgently rethink passing grades and a singular focus on university degrees.
It is time to have a national dialogue involving key stakeholders from government, business, academia, and civil society as to whether we are doing our youth and – as a result, our future leaders – a disservice through keeping the pass mark at 30% and 40%, even if only a minuscule percentage achieve that bare minimum in matric.
(To pass, students must achieve 40% in a home language, 40% in a further two subjects and 30% in another three additional subjects.)
Trevolin is Deaf and Determined to Break Barriers of Communication
While Trevolin Pillay describes himself as “just a simple Deaf person from Chatsworth, KwaZulu-Natal”, he is also determined to break the barriers of communication between the deaf and hearing in this world.
He was born profoundly deaf, but has not allowed that to deter him or define his path to success. He was the top learner in all the grades in school and received many awards, including the DUX award.
After school, Trevolin made history as one of the first groups of six Deaf students to have completed a bachelor’s degree in IT at Belgium Campus iTversity – and the first Deaf student to achieve it magna cum laude.
New policy could redefine recognition for SA’s private tertiary institutions
The Department of Higher Education and Training’s new draft Policy for Recognition of South African Higher Education Institutional Types is set to transform South Africa’s higher education system by offering greater recognition to private higher education institutions.