Latest news with #SouthAfrican-born
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
South Africa and China agree to collaborate on AI and innovation
The aim is to unlock collaborative research, innovation and application of AI in critical sectors, such as education, agriculture and public service delivery. SA's communications ministry delegation (right) engage their Chinese counterparts during a visit to China. Picture. Communications Ministry. South Africa and China have agreed to formally advance a proposed memorandum of understanding on artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation between the two nations. Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi led a South African delegation on an investment-focused visit to China. Engagements took place in Beijing, Shenzhen and Shanghai, aimed at securing support for South Africa's digital transformation. Engagement The aim is to unlock collaborative research, innovation and application of AI in critical sectors, such as education, agriculture and public service delivery. Their collective mandate was also to engage Chinese partners on projects that could accelerate connectivity, enhance digital skills and support inclusive innovation across South Africa. With South African-born Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service still evading the country, the delegation engaged with the China Satellite Network Company (CSNC), exploring the development of a satellite broadband initiative to improve last-mile connectivity in rural and underserved communities. 'This aligns with South Africa's commitment to closing the digital divide and enhancing access to education, healthcare, and digital public infrastructure,' the department of Communications and Digital Technologies spokesperson, Kwena Moloto, said. ALSO READ: Malatsi initiates bold plan to expand broadband connectivity across SA Broadband connectivity Moloto added that the delegation also held talks with the Export-Import Bank of China, where the department highlighted the urgent need for increased development financing to support South Africa's digital infrastructure rollout, particularly the expansion of broadband connectivity to remote and disadvantaged areas. 'As part of efforts to increase digital access, the minister visited the headquarters of Chinese technology companies, including Honor and Huawei. 'These engagements formed part of a broader initiative in support of our campaign for smart devices for learners and entrepreneurs,' Moloto said. Affordable devices In February, Malatsi took steps to accelerate access to more affordable smart devices and smartphones. He first mentioned lowering the price of smart devices in October last year when he initiated plans to expand broadband connectivity across South Africa. The country has been stuck in a rut due to limited internet connectivity in rural areas, digital skills, technology and expensive data. Moloto said 'exciting partnerships' were secured during the visit to China, which will be announced in the coming days. ALSO READ: South Africa on track to regulate artificial intelligence Future networks He said delegation also participated in a roundtable hosted by the China Branch of the Brics Institute of Future Networks, which brought together major Chinese ICT firms to explore collaboration on broadband expansion, smart device accessibility and digital skills development. 'The discussions reflected growing international interest in South Africa's digital policy direction and economic potential.' The delegation also attended the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai. 'These engagements highlighted the rapid pace at which AI is transforming the world and reinforced the urgency for global collaboration in ensuring that AI technologies are inclusive, ethical and development-oriented,' Moloto said. ALSO READ: Another SA neighbour gets Musk's Starlink
IOL News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Durban teenage MMA prodigy adopts 'messy' Dricus fight style
Coach Greg Thomas of Bushido Gym and Abigail Deneys in Abu Dhabi Coach Greg Thomas of Bushido Gym and Abigail Deneys in Abu Dhabi after she received the gold medal for the 77kg class. AMANZIMTOTI teenage MMA fighter Abigail Deneys thinks her messy fight style can take her all the way to the top, just like it did with current South African-born UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis. Deneys, 15, just returned from Abu Dhabi where she fought in the World Youth MMA Championship for South Africa in the 77kg class. Deneys won gold by default because her opponent pulled out of the fight. "Definitely, having a messy and clumsy fight style can work in your favour...I feel like if it has worked for Dricus then why can't it work for me." Deneys said she was disappointed she didn't get to throw down in the octagon, a place she's grown familiar with since joining the sport just under a year ago. Under the careful direction of her coaches, Greg Thomas and Amanda Lino from Bushido Gym in Amanzimtoti, Deneys is hopeful to leave her mark on the sport. 'I really wish I could have fought in Abu Dhabi because it's not about medals for me. I genuinely enjoy getting into that cage and on the mat and just fighting. I feel like if I got the chance to fight, whether I got the gold or not, I would have been happy. Getting it by default kind of makes me feel like I cheated. 'I also felt like I was robbed of those small moments with my coaches and teammates. But the experience has taught me that there's always going to be something that happens that I didn't want to happen (Murphy's Law). 'I think going forward for my next fight I'm going to drop down to the 66kg category and in the future try to go lighter. It was still an honour for me to bring home gold, even if it wasn't in the way I wanted,' Deneys told Independent Media. The Toti' resident landed in South Africa last night and plans on getting back into the gym soon after she is done sleeping off the jetlag. Reaching for the stars Deneys has admitted that she's not academically inclined and was always the type to try out a new sport or hobby instead. And now that she's found one she likes, and has committed to, she plans on giving it a 110% effort. In short, she would much rather wake up and choose violence instead of the pen. 'I don't really juggle it. I do MMA and school is just kind of there. When school gets hard, I just focus extra on MMA. MMA is my top priority. 'I definitely want to end up UFC one day but obviously I'm way too young to even think about that right now. I think my short term aim would be to get signed by the EFC but the UFC is definitely a bigger goal. 'I feel like I can trust my coach to get me there. Especially looking at how far he got me in such a short space of time. One of my other coaches, Amanda Lino, recently fought in the EFC and got a new title. So I feel like Lino and coach Greg will get me far as long as I work hard for it,' Deneys said. Messy works, at least for Dricus it does... Before Deneys left for Abu Dhabi, she mentioned in the interview that she has a 'kind of messy fighting style'. After returning, she said she just may give the messy fight style a go, given how successful Dricus Du Plessis turned out with a similar stance in the ring. Du Plessis, in the past three years in the UFC, has defeated the biggest names in the sport when it comes to the Middleweight Class, including Robert Whitaker, Derek Brunson, Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya. All with a 'messy' fight style, according to numerous fellow UFC fighters and pundits. While the world of UFC has been put off from Du Plessis's style of fighting, Deneys has embraced it and hopes it can bring her glory in the octagon some day. 'Definitely, having a messy and clumsy fight style can work in your favour. Your opponent doesn't know your next move. And I feel like if it worked for Dricus then why can't it work for me. I've made it a bit far already just by getting disqualified and tripping on myself. 'I think I have to start working extra hard on my ground game. Next year I will be allowed to ground and pound and that works to a fighter's advantage when you can't submit them,' Deneys said.
Mint
3 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
First time in 148 years! Ben Stokes becomes first English cricketer to achieve rare double in Tests
Ben Stokes' century against India on the fourth day of the fourth Test carried a lot of emotions. As soon as the England captain leg glanced Jasprit Bumrah for a boundary to reach his first Test hundred in two years, the southpaw quickly looked up to the heavens with a finger gesture in the memory of his late father Ged Stokes. Not only it came as a sigh of relief for Stokes, but also put England in the driver's seat as the hosts were all out for 669, thus taking a 310-run first innings lead against the Shubman Gill-led side at Old Trafford. Stokes' last Test hundred came in 2023 against Australia at Lord's. In the process, Stokes became he first from the country in their 148-year history to scored 7000-plus runs and take 200 wickets in Tests. The South African-born Englishman also became third in overall list after legendary West Indian Gary Sobers and Jacques Kallis. Not just this rare double, Stokes also became first England captain with a century and five-wicket haul in a single Test match. He had registered figures of 5/72 during India's first innings. Stokes is just the fourth England player to take five wickets and score a hundred in the same Test after Tony Greig, Ian Botham -- who did it five times -- and the currently sidelined Gus Atkinson. Player Runs Wickets Gary Sobers (West Indies) 8032 235 Jacques Kallis (South Africa) 13289 292 Ben Stokes (England) 7000* 229* Player Opponent Venue Year Denis Atkinson (WI) Australia Bridgetown 1955 Garry Sobers (WI) England Leeds 1966 Mushtaq Mohammad (PAK) West Indies Port of Spain 1977 Imran Khan (PAK) India Faisalabad 1983 Ben Stokes (ENG) India Manchester 2025 Stokes' entertaining innings came to an end when he was caught off Ravindra Jadeja's bowling for 141 runs off 198 balls. Stokes also became the fourth England cricketer after Tony Greig, Ian Botham (5 times) and the currently-sidelined Gus Atkinson to take five wickets and score a hundred in the same Test.
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First Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
Trott, experts slam Gill and Gambhir over Kuldeep's exclusion as Indians struggle in Manchester: 'I find it astounding...'
Senior left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav remained relegated to the sidelines despite legends of the game such as Sunil Gavaskar and Anil Kumble calling for his inclusion from the outset of the five-match Test series in England. read more Jonathan Trott joins the long list of former cricketers calling for left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in the Indian XI in the ongoing Test series in England. Reuters India find themselves struggling in what is a must-win fourth Test against England in Manchester, if they are to fly out of the United Kingdom with the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in their check-in luggage. Not only were they bowled out for 358 after England captain Ben Stokes won a fourth consecutive toss and opted to field, they find themselves facing the prospect of starting their second innings with a massive deficit, with the hosts on the verge of eclipsing their total with plenty of wickets in hand. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD England's domination of the Indian bowling unit over the course of the last 24 hours has put the spotlight on the absence of a certain individual – Kuldeep Yadav. There have been plenty of calls for the inclusion of the left-arm wrist spinner since the outset of the five-Test series, from batting icon Sunil Gavaskar to spin legends Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. Kuldeep, however, has remained sidelined throughout the tour, with India captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir preferring all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar in order to lengthen the batting lineup rather than a frontline spinner in Kuldeep. Trott slams absence of frontline spinner in Kuldeep And on , with England having cruised to 332/2 at lunch with the Indian pacers hardly making an impact on a wicket where Stokes and Jofra Archer shared eight wickets between them, former England batter Jonathan Trott renewed discussion on Kuldeep's continued exclusion from the Indian XI. 'I find it astounding that they don't have the exact bowling lineup that can get them 20 wickets in the much…it makes Jasprit Bumrah's job that much harder, without a frontline spinner,' Trott said on JioHotstar during the lunch interval. The South African-born former England batter wasn't alone in criticising the Indian team management's treatment of Kuldeep as several experts and fans pointed out the same on social media. Here are select reactions: By the time india realise the importance of Kuldeep Yadav rather than strengthening their batting , unfortunately series will be over. — Prasanna (@prasannalara) July 25, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 66 overs into England's innings and Shardul and Washington (despite his performance at Lord's) have bowled six overs between them. India's conservative team selection - over-valuing lower order runs, and ignoring Kuldeep Yadav as a result - has really helped England. — Tim Wigmore (@timwig) July 25, 2025 Hard to be sure, but I think England might be happy Kamboj is playing and Kuldeep isn't — Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) July 25, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indian test cricket is becoming joke with weird selections. Kuldeep Yadav is sitting outside, Arshdeep didn't play in Australia n England, Shami is missing. How can you expect to win with part time bowlers? Someone's ego is destroying this team #INDvsEND — CA Anurag Sharma (@caanuragwriter) July 25, 2025
The South African
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
South African talent shines in Superman documentary
South African-born producer Robert Ford is basking in international acclaim with his latest project, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story . The documentary, which arrives on Showmax from Friday, 25 July, has earned an impressive four Emmy nominations. Recognition comes in the categories of Directing, Writing, Editing, and Music Composition. Super/Man celebrates the extraordinary life of Christopher Reeve, immortalised as Superman. Reeve rose from an unknown stage actor to a Hollywood icon. His portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman set the gold standard for superhero films. Reeve starred in four Superman films and played a variety of roles, showcasing his remarkable range. Tragedy struck in 1995 when a horse-riding accident left Reeve paralysed from the neck down. Undeterred, he became a leading advocate for spinal cord injury research and disability rights, according to IMDB . He balanced activism, fatherhood, and continued work in the film industry, emerging as a real-life hero. Ford, originally from Wellington in the Western Cape, reflects on his journey, 'I wish I had known more about the South African film industry at that stage. I only discovered later that SA has such a vibrant film culture.' Now based in the UK, Ford has built a global reputation across film production roles over 25 years. The Superman documentary features never-before-seen home videos and a wealth of family archives. For the first time, Reeve's three children speak at length on film about their father. Hollywood friends and colleagues also share insights, giving the story depth and warmth. With a staggering 98% critics' rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Super/Man has swept more than 30 awards. These include Best Documentary at the 2025 BAFTAs and major wins from the Producers Guild of America and Critics' Choice Documentary Awards. Ford describes the biggest challenge of filming the Superman documentary: 'We had hundreds of hours of footage. The story could have gone in so many directions, so there were lots of difficult decisions in the edit. Letting go of the scenes you love is hard; it's hard killing your babies.' He is also passionate about representation. 'It's important that those stories are heard and not marginalised,' says Ford. For Super/Man , several disabled crew and consultants played key roles. Their insight shaped the film, especially on the complex ethics and realities of disability and cure. Ford's ties to home remain strong. 'I'd love to film in South Africa again. South Africa has great filmmakers and crew, and the filmmaking infrastructure is brilliant,' he says. He's thrilled for local viewers to watch his work and Superman documentary, adding, 'It's a universal story. Behind the onscreen superhero was a real-life hero.' Super/Man stands as a testament to courage and resilience, both on and off the screen. South Africans can take pride in one of their shining moments on the world stage. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
