Latest news with #JohanSteyn
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
African creatives gear up for crucial conversation about the future of storytelling
The future of African storytelling is stepping into the digital age and artificial intelligence (AI) is taking centre stage. Set to take place on August 8 at the Protea Hotel in Midrand, the AI in Film: Empowering African Filmmakers conference will gather some of the continent's most influential voices in tech and the arts to explore how AI is shaping the future of African cinema. Speakers include actor and producer Tumisho Masha, AI consultant Johan Steyn and media personalities Penny Lebyane and Masechaba Mposwa, who will facilitate discussions with actors' unions, tech experts, broadcasters and industry stakeholders. Under the theme 'AI's Role in African Storytelling's Future', the one-day conference will unpack how AI is changing the way stories are scripted, visualised and distributed while raising critical questions about ownership, authenticity and cultural preservation. 'This is a long overdue conversation for African creatives. Our industry shouldn't sit on the sidelines while global AI trends reshape the creative economy. We must lead with agency and ethical innovation that reflects our cultural voice,' said co-founder Mfundo Ntsibande. The event, hosted by digital consultancy Sci-Thagorus, will feature live demos, panel talks and networking masterclasses. Key topics will cover AI's role in scriptwriting and production, ethical boundaries in human-AI collaboration and the thorny issue of copyright in AI-generated content. Founder and CEO Lwazi Sithole said the conference aims to empower creatives with the tools and frameworks to integrate AI responsibly. 'It's about enabling innovation while safeguarding cultural integrity.'
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Green Climate Fund awards R700 million to South Africa for climate disaster resilience
Damages caused by the April 2024 flash flood in Margate on the KZN South Coast. Image: Johan Steyn MILLIONS of vulnerable South Africans stand to benefit after the country secured a multimillion-rand grant for eco-friendly disaster risk management. It comes as the country grapples with changing weather patterns and the effects of climate change, which have caused widespread devastation and loss of life. This week the Green Climate Fund (GCF) approved a grant of just over USD 40 million (around R700 million) during its 42nd Board meeting, currently underway in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. The funding will support the South African National Biodiversity Institute's (SANBI) Eco-Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco DRR) project, which will be rolled out over the next eight years. SANBI described the grant as a 'landmark investment' for the implementation of its initiative, officially titled; Scaling up ecosystem-based approaches to managing climate intensified disaster risks in vulnerable regions of South Africa, or simply the Eco DRR project. 'The role of biodiversity in South Africa's response to climate change is at the heart of this project,' said SANBI CEO Shonisani Munzhedzi. 'Healthy ecosystems act as natural buffers against climate extremes, protecting lives, infrastructure, and livelihoods. This project represents a major step forward in climate adaptation financing for South Africa.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Munzhedzi noted that SANBI's accreditation as a Direct Access Entity of the GCF since 2016 has enabled it to unlock international climate finance, while advancing national priorities and building institutional capacity. To date, SANBI and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) remain the only South African institutions accredited by the GCF. The organisation said the eight-year project is expected to have a 20-year impact in the communities where it will be implemented. It is projected to directly benefit around 366,000 people and reach over 5.1 million South Africans indirectly—especially those living in areas hardest hit by floods, droughts, and wildfires. Dion George, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said that, 'The increasing frequency of floods, droughts and wildfires pose a serious threat to South Africa's communities, especially those in rural and peri-urban areas.' "This investment will support our efforts to strengthen ecological infrastructure, reduce disaster risk, and build adaptive capacity where it is needed most.'' George said the GCF's approval was a 'monumental achievement for South Africa and a testament to SANBI's expertise as a Direct Access Entity to the GCF.' 'The Eco DRR project will empower millions of our citizens, ensuring that we build a resilient future where nature and communities thrive together,' he said. He added that by harnessing the power of ecosystems, the project would not only help reduce disaster risks but also promote inclusive growth and environmental stewardship. 'It is a beacon of hope for a greener, stronger South Africa,' he said.
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Climate
- IOL News
Floods and climate resilience: key findings from South Africa's weather-related disasters study
File image of damages caused by the April 2024 flash flood in Margate on the KZN South Coast. Image: Johan Steyn As the death toll rises to 67 from the recent floods in the Eastern Cape, Dr Mary-Jane Bopape., Managing Director of the South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON), along with her research collaborators, just released a comprehensive analysis of weather-related disasters in South Africa from 1980 to 2023. The research, utilising data from respected sources such as the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) and synoptic charts provided by the South African Weather Service, offers critical insights that are set to transform our understanding of climate resilience and disaster management. The study, which draws on sophisticated meteorological reanalyses such as the fifth generation European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting reanalysis (ERA5) and data from the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), identifies floods and storms as the most recurrent weather-related disasters faced in South Africa. Notably, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province is highlighted as the most affected region, with the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality emerging as the area with the highest number of recorded disaster events across the entire country. Remarkably, while KZN is known for its high rainfall, the research indicates that eThekwini does not necessarily experience more rainfall compared to other districts within the province. This surprising outcome suggests that human factors tied to urbanisation may exacerbate the impacts of weather-related disasters in these metropolitan areas. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The Managing Director of the South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF- SAEON), Dr Mary-Jane Bopape Image: Supplied "With these insights, we can better inform climate resilience strategies and proactive disaster management efforts. This important contribution to the field paves the way for more effective responses to climate challenges and disaster preparedness in our communities," says Dr Bopape. Her vision is clear: to leverage this study's findings for the benefit of future policies and community safety. Across South Africa, the research highlights that major urban centres, particularly the eThekwini, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Cape Town metropolises, report significant occurrences of weather-related disasters. Notably, Johannesburg has been identified as a hotspot for floods, while Ekurhuleni leads in storm incidents within Gauteng province. However, urbanisation patterns may play a pivotal role in shaping disaster outcomes, with Gauteng noted for reporting the fewest droughts, likely due to its urban character.
