What is muted by might and buried under layers of PR polish?
“Freedom of speech, not freedom of reach.”
- Elon Musk -?(tweeted new Twitter moderation policy 17 April 2022)
Free speech is a?wonderful concept - at least on paper. Yet, in practice, it is often only a footnote in the chronicles created by those who hold the loudest megaphones.?
Big businesses, politicians and governments use media press releases, PR spin and selective truths to shape and disseminate their narrative. Their power is able to drown out dissent or opposing views. The result - free speech and the truth get sidelined in the margins. After all, it's easy to champion "freedom of expression" while crafting the storyline, adjusting a few inconvenient facts and occasionally rewriting history to fit the mandated vision.
As this polished version of "truth" circulates, competing voices - no matter how valid - risk being dismissed as noise and buried under layers of PR polish. Cynics might argue it's a feature, not a flaw - an orderly narrative means fewer PR crises to manage.
So, is free speech still valuable when drowned out by those directing the truth for profit? Perhaps, but like any commodity, free speech's value depreciates when muted by might and buried under layers of PR polish.
Be informed, be sharp, bbrief...
Union eligibility under legal scrutiny
In South Africa’s shifting labour landscape, union representation is being tested and pushed to new limits. The case of AFGRI Animal Feeds (A Division of PhilAfrica Foods (Pty) Limited) v National Union of Metalworkers South Africa (NUMSA) and Others (CCT 188/22) [2024] ZACC 13?has sparked a significant debate challenging the traditional scope of union activities and raising critical questions about legal jurisdiction and worker representation.
This case serves as a pivotal moment in understanding the complexities of union eligibility across diverse industries.
The core issue
At the heart of the AFGRI v NUMSA dispute is the question of whether NUMSA, historically associated with the metal industry, can represent workers in the agriculture sector.
The Labour Relations Act stipulates that...
Delivering more mobile innovation powerfully on Samsung foldables
Following its launch on the ?Samsung Galaxy S24 series in January 2024, ?Galaxy AI has ushered in the next level of performance and functionality on Samsung’s latest foldable devices, the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6.
Both powered by the Snapdragon? 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, optimised for AI processing and overall performance improvements. With enhanced capabilities that redefine the mobile experience, these devices, particularly in this form factor, represent the pinnacle of Galaxy as they bring convenience and innovation to every aspect of users’ lives.
Galaxy AI harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to deliver a personalised, intuitive experience that meets user needs. From optimising daily tasks to enhancing multimedia enjoyment, the integration of Galaxy AI within the new, slimmest and lightest Z series yet, comes with a new wave of conveniences and creature comforts. It also signifies a transformative leap forward in how we interact with our mobile devices.
Read on to discover some of the stand-out AI features of the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6:
Enhanced multitasking capabilities
With Galaxy AI, users can seamlessly manage multiple applications at once on the expansive displays of the Z Fold6 and Z Flip6. Whether working on a presentation, taking notes, or browsing the web, the multitasking features ensure that productivity is at your fingertips.
Intelligent camera features
The advanced AI-powered ProVisual Engine camera system offers...
Medium Term Budget Policy Statement 2024
The 2024 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) was tabled to Parliament on 30 October 2024 by South African Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana...
Gen Z skills development - bridging the workplace gap
The solution to youth unemployment and the skills crisis lies in upskilling and empowering youth with future digital skills. Relevant digital skills should be developed before they enter the workplace.
ICT certifications alone are not enough to meet the rate of change in the workplace. They also cannot secure sustainable job creation. South African companies hiring young people with practical skills will succeed. These skills should meet current and future business demands.
Business leaders across Africa emphasise empowering youth with future skills. This must align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 8. There is a rising demand for AI skills across industries and job roles. Youth need essential AI skills for employability and entrepreneurship. AI training should be inclusive, equitable, and practical. This will prepare future generations to enhance tomorrow’s digital skills.
Partnership critical to address skills crisis
Our research shows that over 60% of full-time desk workers lack skills to...
Passport mistakes to avoid for stress-free travel
Did you know that a seemingly innocent souvenir could turn your dream holiday into a nightmare? We are warning travellers about passport mistakes that could invalidate your travel document and potentially cost you thousands of Rands – derailing your long-awaited getaway.
Your passport is more than just a travel document – it’s your key to exploring the world. But there are several ways you might unknowingly compromise its validity, leading to denied boarding or entry to your destination country.
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Novelty passport stamps: a costly souvenir
While the trend of collecting decorative stamps from famous landmarks or destinations might seem like a fun way to remember your travels, they could render your passport invalid.
Novelty stamps from...
Hyper-personalisation empowers CX
Clients today recognise that while convenience is easily replicable, delivering exceptional Customer eXperience (CX) through a genuine understanding of their unique business needs is irreplaceable.
Client interaction and project management strategies are shifting dramatically toward hyper-personalisation, and businesses in the B2B space risk consistently falling short of meeting client expectations and client experiences, if they do not empower their teams effectively.
Traditionally, the project management process for clients in the B2B sector has been linear and controlled, conforming to a waterfall approach that involves meticulously planned phases that proceed in a strict sequence.
Because each phase must be completed before the next begins, with detailed timelines and extensive documentation at each step, the process – while structured – can be limiting and tedious, often struggling to accommodate changes or adapt to rapid shifts in environments and client needs. This method not only stifles innovation but also hinders teams from feeling empowered to make independent decisions or tackle problems proactively. As a result, teams frequently find themselves in a holding pattern, awaiting directives on the project goals and timelines.
Crafting services for clients
The ambition instead is to make clients feel that services are crafted just for them, with a robust understanding of their business and the frameworks necessary to deliver effectively. To achieve this, teams need to...
Digital core resilience - key for reinvention readiness
Two years ago, we warned that organisations failing to embrace data, artificial intelligence (AI), and technology would risk being left behind by their competitors.
A year later this prediction came true as organisations ranked technology as the most disruptive force in organisations in 2023 and rocketed to the top of the corporate agenda. This means that if you are not thinking about how your organisation should shift with the rapidly evolving world of technology you are already behind.
The digital core
A sense of urgency is paramount, particularly as South Africa falls behind its global counterparts. But what drives this transformation? It begins with constructing a solid technological foundation on which all technological advancements are built – the digital core.
We define a digital core as the...
Digital signatures in banking - drive security, certainty and loyalty
Banking goes far deeper than managing financial transactions. Organisational, compliance and governance layers are demanding and complex. From merchants to customer onboarding, relationship banking and internal agreements, these layers require effective management. ?Workflow management must also be handled securely and with certainty. This ensures both the bank and its customers are protected.
In practice, digital signatures can offer a wealth of benefit for processes within the banking sector – and for its customers. Of course, the signing of documents is one facet of this solution, but the advantages and applications abound. Now the question becomes; how is modern banking delivering excellent service to digital citizens?
Digital signature benefits
From a functional perspective, digital signatures offer various features. These range from in-branch biometric signing to remote signing within web applications. Real-time USSD signing is available for call centre scenarios. They enable data retrieval from stored documents and dynamic pre-populated contracts. Digital signatures also provide...
Employment tax incentive amendments
In a significant move to strengthen the integrity of the Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) scheme, the government has proposed amendments to Sections 1(1) and 5(3) of the Employment Tax Incentive Act, No. 26 of 2013.
The ETI, introduced in 2013, aims to encourage employers to hire young job seekers by reducing the cost of employment through a government-supported cost-sharing mechanism.
Initial strategy
The ETI has been a pivotal part of the government’s strategy to tackle youth unemployment since it commenced on 1 January 2014.
Set to expire on...
Supply chain blockchain interlinking
Blockchain technology goes by many names; game-changer, disruptive, futuristic and impenetrable. Names all well-deserved and valid. Initially associated with cryptocurrency, blockchain has well and truly come into its own and now includes health, transportation, disaster recovery and importantly, supply chain management.
Indeed, with its ability to create secure and transparent networks, blockchain has the potential to reshape the way we manage supply chains. According to Market Research Future’s (MRFR) report Blockchain in Supply Chain Market is projected to hit $17.15 billion at a CAGR of 45.55% by 2030.
The development of blockchain technology and its applications is driven by the demand for greater supply chain transparency and improved security in supply chain transactions.
Comprehending the significance of blockchain technology
Whilst blockchain has been around since 2009, when Satoshi Nakamoto brought Bitcoin and blockchain technology to the world, it’s important that...