Author: Guest Contributor

Israel Diamond Exchange Opens Tech Innovation Centre

Posted by Guest Contributor | Jun 23, 2017 | Technology |

The Israel Diamond Exchange (IDE) joined the Start-Up Nation when they recently opened a technological incubator for Israeli and international diamond-related start-ups. Called Diamond Tech, it will provide a home and financial support for start-ups in the initial stages of development. Diamond Tech will promote new technologies for diamonds in the broadest sense. This includes industrial platforms, robotics, semi-conductors, medical technologies, space technology, software, finance, and B2B and B2C marketing platforms. IDE is partnering with Sarine, the Israel-based world leader in technologies for the diamond industry and the Hennig Diamond group, which has an international investment arm specializing in...

Na Jaqna eviction and illegal fence removal not enforced

Posted by Guest Contributor | Jun 22, 2017 | Environment |

By Nyae Nyae Development Foundation The Na Jaqna Conservancy received a positive verdict in its eviction cases against 22 illegal settlers in their Conservancy from the Namibian Courts at the end of last year. However, the Na Jaqna Conservancy Management Committee to this day are still awaiting confirmation of the implementation of the verdict. Leaving the legal settlers within the Conservancy wondering why the law is not being upheld and implemented to the fullest and protecting their rights. The verdict was handed down by Namibia’s High Court. The Conservancy saw that some progress was made by the Land Board...

A mirror of Namibia in the middle of Eastern Europe. The EU’s Mafia State

Posted by Guest Contributor | Jun 22, 2017 | Speak your mind |

By Bálint Magyar, a sociologist and former Hungarian minister of education. BUDAPEST – Following the collapse of communism, many of us in Central and Eastern Europe had hoped that the region would steadily move toward liberal democracy, and that any obstacles en route to that goal could be overcome. But in many former communist countries, older systems of patronage and corruption have survived, and taken new forms. What we thought was a transitional phase has become a permanent state of affairs. Consider Hungary, which has become a mafia state during the seven years of Viktor Orbán’s rule as prime...

How to trim down SME running costs

Posted by Guest Contributor | Jun 22, 2017 | Columns |

By Sam Ikela Head of Growth Segment at FNB Business. Operating costs associated with running a business may be challenging to deal with due to the current economic woes. SME’s need to develop long term strategies to ensure they can stretch each rand whilst saving where they can. The state of the economy is not great, consumers are hard pressed and businesses are feeling the impact with less spend going around. SME’s in particular, have to be smart about how they manage the flow of their income and expenses. Businesses can achieve this by reducing on their spend and...

Improve your game from your inbox – Control your emotions

Posted by Guest Contributor | Jun 22, 2017 | Columns |

Coen Welsch on the Psychology of Golf – The US Open at Erin Hills, once again provided much to talk about. Another first-time winner of a major and the 7th in a row. Another round of 63 and a record equalling low scoring round. Brooks Koepka, tamed the Erin Hills to get a well-deserved win, while Ricky Fowler must be wondering what he must do to win a major. (He has won THE PLAYERS). Our focus this week is on the “Chill Brothers”, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka. PGATour.com describes them like this: “Neither one seems to play with...

Building the next generation through skills development

Posted by Guest Contributor | Jun 20, 2017 | Speak your mind |

By Tommy Strydom Acting CEO of Inyatsi Construction A massive skills shortage in Southern African countries lies at the heart of the challenge facing the construction industry in the region. While infrastructure projects are offering the industry numerous growth opportunities, the shortage of construction skills can have a negative impact on the industry as well as economic growth. The construction industry in Southern Africa is facing major problems of skills shortages in the future. Most skilled workers are older and will retire in the next few years, while younger workers lack the necessary skills to step into their shoes....

Communities boosting water monitoring systems using the Internet

Posted by Guest Contributor | Jun 20, 2017 | Technology |

By Ihuoma Atanga Imagine a world where your spice cabinet reminds you to buy salt, or your cell phone sends a text message about the amount of water left in your water tank. These are the wonders of the Internet of things (IoT). It has been over a decade since Kevin Ashton, co–founder of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Auto-ID Center (now Auto-ID Labs), coined the term Internet of Things to describe the network and communication of physical objects that have an IP address for the Internet. Since then the world has transitioned into a digital age, one in...

Improve your game from your inbox – Get into the Flow

Posted by Guest Contributor | Jun 15, 2017 | Columns |

Coen Welsh on the Psychology of Golf – The best place to be on the golf course is to be in “flow”. Daniel Berger won the Fed-Ex St. Jude classic for the second time in two years. He managed to defend the title he won in 2016 and did so with a final round of 66. Charley Hull finished second at last year’s ANA Inspiration and at the time she said: “You really want to do well but you are not thinking about it. And you make some birdies coming in and then you are thinking I never got...