Latest news with #African-born
Business Insider
26-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Adhere by Smartcomply and Mastercard partner to secure millions of transactions, elevating digital trust worldwide
Adhere by Smartcomply, Africa's pioneering force in intelligent fraud detection, proudly announces its collaboration with Mastercard, cementing its position as a leading global player in fraud prevention. This pivotal partnership, initiated through Adhere's selection as a Mastercard Engage partner, underscores Adhere's proven excellence in developing sophisticated, adaptive solutions, meticulously crafted to combat the evolving challenges of financial fraud across Africa and, critically, now poised for global impact. Mastercard's Engage program carefully selects proven industry leaders whose solutions significantly enhance security, streamline compliance, and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Adhere's inclusion recognises its standout achievements in leveraging advanced artificial intelligence to address complex fraud threats unique to emerging markets. In an era where traditional fraud detection methods struggle against increasingly sophisticated threats, Adhere's AI-driven approach stands apart. Unlike conventional tools, Adhere continuously learns, swiftly identifies anomalies, and proactively neutralises threats in real-time. This capability, developed and perfected within the dynamic African financial landscape, ensures robust protection that traditional systems simply cannot match. Through this collaboration, financial institutions partnering with Mastercard now gain streamlined access to Adhere's market-proven solutions, significantly strengthening their defense against fraud and compliance risks. The partnership also highlights the global relevance of African-born technological innovations, affirming Adhere's role as an essential contributor to global best practices. "This partnership with Mastercard isn't merely an endorsement; it's a profound validation of our vision to redefine fraud prevention globally," stated Gbemisola Osunrinde, CEO of Smartcomply."We've meticulously engineered our AI to tackle the most complex fraud challenges, first in Africa, and now, with Mastercard, we are poised to extend that same unparalleled security and trust to financial ecosystems worldwide. This collaboration is a powerful testament to African innovation leading the charge on a global scale." Joining the Mastercard Engage network is a major milestone for Adhere, enhancing its capability to support banks, fintechs, and financial institutions across multiple continents with unmatched accuracy, security, and speed in fraud prevention. Discover why global leaders trust Adhere by Smartcomply for unparalleled security and compliance by visiting Adhere by Smartcomply is Africa's pioneering force in intelligent fraud detection and compliance solutions. Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence, Adhere provides dynamic, real-time protection against evolving financial crime, empowering businesses to operate with unmatched security and confidence. Born from a deep understanding of unique market challenges, Adhere by Smartcomply is committed to fostering a secure and trustworthy digital economy across Africa and beyond. Explore our solutions today: Email: support@ | cs@ Phone: 08133262024 | 08183714383 Website: Mastercard (NYSE: MA), is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart, and accessible. Using secure data and networks, collaborations and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments, and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.
Irish Examiner
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Chiedozie Ogbene named Ipswich 'Community Champion' - 'It was close to home because my little sister's Down syndrome'
Ireland's Dara O'Shea was the headline winner, named Ipswich Men's Player of the Year at the club's end-of-season awards on Monday. But there was a surprise award too for his international teammate Chiedozie Ogbene, underlining the regard the club already has for the popular Corkman, despite him playing just six times since his move from Luton Town. Ogbene's season was cut short last October when he ruptured his Achilles against Brentford. But the current Ireland player of the year was named Ipswich's PFA Community Champion of the Year, alongside women's player Natasha Thomas. After his injury, Ogbene approached the club to see if there was a way he could contribute off the field, while unable to play a part on it. And after attending several events on behalf of the club's disability programme, he was named Ipswich's Disability Ambassador. The award recognises his work in the role. Speaking at the awards night, Ogbene revealed the motivation for his involvement was partly his younger sister's Down syndrome, but also a sense of joy that he can impact lives by giving a few minutes of his time. "When I joined this programme, it's because it brought me a lot of joy. It was close to home because my little sister's Down syndrome, so I was doing this for my own benefit, so I can truly bond with her. "So I am really, really grateful for this recognition of my work off the pitch. "I'm in a privileged position. Professional footballers, we're in a privileged position to influence the younger generation. "There's something in my head that I get so much joy by being a small part in anyone's life and trying to change their life. "Thirty minutes that I spend with them, it changes their life, and it has a massive impact on them. I've met some amazing people in this programme, and they've taught me a lot on how I can interact better with my little sister. "It's something that I went in with the mindset of wanting to learn, and I've come out with some really good experiences in it." It mightn't be the typical reaction to a heartbreaking injury that has already kept him out of action for six months, but Ogbene's instinct was to make himself useful to the club in some way. "That's just the family I come from. My parents always embedded in me to be humble and to give back to the community and to give back to the people around me. "Since I became the first African-born player to play for Ireland I see how much it means to kids. "I see myself as just a regular guy, Chieo, but what I can do on and off the pitch can change their lives so I just wanted to offer myself another way. "It's helped me as well. It's helped me pass time, it's helped me with my injury. Because I have other stuff to focus on. It was a pleasure for myself as well. "It makes me happy that I am able to interact with different groups and learn from them as much as they are learning from me." Ogbene has found it particularly moving to be so warmly appreciated at the club despite his limited playing time. "It's magic. I play six games for Ipswich, but I mean a lot to some of these guys at the programmes, and that's what's helped me go through it, and that's why I do what I do. "Even playing six games, they know my name and they know who I am, it's what makes me keep going. You know, I'm truly grateful to be in this privileged position that I am in." And the end-of-season award was the surprise silver lining in a difficult season. "I was overwhelmed, like, I couldn't believe it. I'm not playing and stuff. I was actually scratching my head, because I've been injured, like. I was just actually caught off guard."
Eyewitness News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Johann Rupert, Ernie Els to join Ramaphosa-Trump talks in the White House
Tshidi Madia 21 May 2025 | 7:40 Washington Cyril Ramaphosa Donald Trump President Cyril Ramaphosa meets with his delegation ahead of White House meeting. Photo: GCIS WASHINGTON - The South African government's arsenal during an official visit to the US will include the richest man in the country and famous golfers. Johann Rupert, who has been credited for facilitating talks between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump is set to join the pair along with their different government representatives in the White House this is attempting to reset relations with the US following protracted tensions between the two countries. It will be 7 against 7 when presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump meet today. READ: Ramaphosa assures SA's sovereignty will remain intact ahead of Trump meeting With South Africa's Ramaphosa accompanied by four of his ministers, Rupert as well decorated golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goosen. An over-confident camp South Africa believes the sportsmen are just what's needed to sweeten talks with Trump, arguing that he idolises their game on the lawns and will be tempted to play alongside them, possibly on African soil one day. Trump will be joined by his vice president JD Vance, secretary of defence Pete Hegseth and Dr Massaid Bolous, a senior advisor on Africa and Middle East affairs READ: Mixed reaction in Washington to Ramaphosa's meeting with Trump Trump's secretary of state Marco Rubio will skip the meeting as he's appearing before senate's committee on foreign affairs. His deputy, who welcomed the so-called 49 Afrikaner refugees in the states, Christopher Landau will take his African-born tech billionaire Elon Musk is also expected to be by Trump's side. The meeting kicks off at 5:30 CAT.
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
In-form Kaizer Chiefs attacker Makabi Lilepo is not yet at his best, says coach Nasreddine Nabi
Makabi Lilepo has made an immediate impact since joining Kaizer Chiefs earlier this year. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Makabi Lilepo has quickly become a fan favourite at Kaizer Chiefs, emerging as a shining light in an otherwise turbulent season for the Soweto giants. When Lilepo joined Amakhosi from French outfit Valenciennes FC during the January transfer window, he arrived without much fanfare. Like many African-born players returning from underwhelming European spells, he was expected to languish on the bench or even in the stands. So far, he has proved his doubters wrong. Lilepo has made an immediate impact, silencing critics with five goals — making him Chiefs' top scorer in the Betway Premiership. His performances reflect his pedigree, having previously featured in continental competitions with Al Hilal of Sudan and AS Vita of his native Democratic Republic of Congo. However, Lilepo's success hasn't come in isolation. The presence of coach Nasreddine Nabi, who had reportedly shown interest in signing the winger at his previous clubs, may have helped ease his adaptation to South African football. Speaking after Lilepo scored the equaliser in Chiefs' 1-1 draw with Sekhukhune United on Saturday, Nabi revealed that the 27-year-old has yet to hit his full stride. 'He's a player that has not reached his potential yet,' Nabi explained. 'Before he came here, he spent some months without playing due to issues at his previous club. You can see he hasn't been finishing games — once he's had a proper pre-season and more time with his teammates, he'll be able to offer even more in attack.' Despite not being at his best, Lilepo has already won the hearts of the Chiefs faithful, who chant his name — 'Lilepo, Lilepo, Lilepo' — whenever he is involved in an attacking move or scores. With the season finale looming, he will be key to Chiefs' hopes of securing a top-eight finish. They host Polokwane City at FNB Stadium needing a win to boost their chances of breaking into the Top 8. Chiefs are currently ninth on the log with 31 points — one behind eighth-placed Chippa United, who have already completed their league campaign. A draw might still be enough for Chiefs, provided their goal difference remains superior to Chippa's, but they would also need other results to go their way. With Lilepo in form — having won April's Goal of the Month award — he'll be eager to find the net once again. And Nabi believes he can. 'He's a winger, but the kind of winger who can finish the season with 10 goals,' Nabi said. 'He loves cutting inside and always looks for scoring opportunities or ways to help his teammates. We believe he can do more.' While Lilepo continues to shine up front, Chiefs will also need to stay disciplined at the back. That's why Nabi is encouraged by the emergence of promising young talent in defence. Aiden McCarthy of Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Aiden McCarthy — son of Chiefs legend Fabian McCarthy — made his debut and first senior start against Sekhukhune in central defence. Despite the high-stakes setting, he impressed Nabi and his technical team. 'I am very happy with Aiden's performance. It wasn't easy to throw him into a game like that,' Nabi said. 'It was his first start and he'd never played for another top-flight team. Even though there were a few small errors, his calmness, confidence on the ball, and personality showed he has a bright future.'
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Pair going to great lengths on NZ-made
The co-founders of a Christchurch furniture-making business are about to bring in scientists to make a finishing oil in their challenge to use only locally-made products. Innate Furniture owners Guido Loeffler and Nick Lee insist on working with sustainably harvested native timbers and domestic steel sheets for their modern and minimalist furniture designs. They want to take this a step further. After experimenting with their own recipes from natural oils and waxes, they are going to experts to help them produce a commercial-grade coating. The finishing oils must be made from plant-based materials locally grown sustainably without detriment to the environment. Mr Loeffler said they were working towards a commitment to produce 100% New Zealand-made furniture. Eventually, every part of a table or other furniture - down to felt caps for their feet - would be locally sourced, he said. ''As far as the oils are concerned we are talking with AgResearch and local universities around the development of natural oil finish product that uses 100% New Zealand raw ingredients including hemp seed oil, bee wax as well as lanolin finishes for our steel and then natural pigments.'' The plan was to sell the finished product to other users. By using local products, they knew they were ethically-sourced, supported local communities, and were transported with low carbon emissions, he said. ''Put it like this, we grow a lot of trees here, cut them down and put them on a boat overseas where someone builds a table and it comes back to New Zealand and we buy it,'' Mr Lee said. ''The New Zealand economy doesn't get the kicker in this and that seems like a silly process when we can do it here.'' Innate Furniture was born from lockdowns after Covid-19 swept the world. Mr Lee was making furniture from recycled timber in the backyard of his flat as an amateur woodworker in between a 16-year music career as a solo artist, then playing 1980s covers with bands before moving into country music. African-born Mr Loeffler had just arrived back from a charity project raising money for a school in Tanzania and had previously worked for a company manufacturing and supplying sustainable building materials. When the pandemic arrived the two flatmates began ''connecting the dots''. Mr Lee said they started selling furniture firstly on the NZ-made Facebook Market page. ''After Covid hit the import stuff started drying up and there was a bit of this talk we needed our own economy and the world's about to go into this sort-of zombie-apocalyptic world. People got quite excited by this New Zealand-made dynamic and liked our designs from beautiful pieces of timber and we got heaps of orders.'' Step one was to get a workshop and within weeks they had outgrown their small leased premises. To keep up with backed-up orders for tables and other furniture they had to work 18-hour days. Today, they have a fully fitted-out workshop and contract out work for their own modern designs combining different native species with often steel milled at Glenbrook by New Zealand Steel. ''They take the iron sand from the beach, extract the iron, put the sand back on the beach, plant flaxes and natives and then they melt it down to make it into sheets,'' Mr Lee said. ''We get the sheets cut down to strips and get our table legs from that. It's got a really cool land and sea story.'' He said they were working to connect with New Zealand screw manufacturers for a custom run of steel fixings. With only a few exceptions such as Italian porcelain for outdoor tables, the main focus is on using locally sourced materials. After persevering, they now have a secure supply of sustainable native timbers from recyclers, saw millers, trusts and forestry associations around the country. Rimu is salvaged from buildings damaged by the Christchurch quakes, while other native species come from continuous covered forestry. Mr Loeffler said they liked to work with native timbers harvested under a sustainable forest managed permit with each tree tagged and receiving a GPS co-ordinate. Only a small percentage of mature trees over a large area was removed from native blocks, he said. ''It's calculated in such a way that the forest canopy is never compromised. Often, it's even helicoptered out so it doesn't get dragged through forest and damage it. It's done in small clusters of three or four trees to create a small opening so sunlight can hit the forest floor for seedlings to return strongly.'' Among their favourite permit-harvested species are regenerated totara growing thickly on marginal farmland in Northland because of its beautiful grain, paler colours for the Scandinavian look and history as the main timber for Maori carving. West Coast-sourced red and silver beech are another of their preferred species. This was found abundantly in large stands, unlike rimu which was why they focused on recycled supplies, Mr Loeffler said. Their furniture range is sold to homeowners through their online store and designers, while they also make hospitality furniture. Nothing goes to waste as off-cuts are made into chopping blocks.
