Practical Skills to Stand Out as a Developer: Insights from the #BuildWithAyoba Developer Day

Hi Guys, 

Article By Shiela Yabo, Head of Ecosystem Development at Ayoba

Ayoba, Africa’s premier communication platform, recently held a Developer Day as part of the #BuildWithAyoba series in partnership with the AWS Skill Centre in Cape Town. This event served as a unique opportunity for developers of all experience levels to connect, network, and gain invaluable insights from industry experts. With a focus on the transformative power of super apps in Africa’s digital landscape, the initiative aligns perfectly with Youth Month, emphasising the potential of young innovators and providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to drive technological advancement across the continent.

Partake in Networking and Community Engagements

Networking and community engagement are crucial for personal and professional growth. By connecting with peers, mentors, and industry leaders, you can exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, and stay updated on the latest trends and technologies. Ayoba, with its vast digital community and life-enhancing services, demonstrates how engaging with a community can drive growth.

A great start would be to attend developer meetups, join online forums, and participate in hackathons to expand your network and learn from others. Engaging with a diverse community not only broadens your perspectives but also opens up opportunities for collaboration and mentorship. The collective wisdom and shared experiences within these communities can be a powerful catalyst for your personal and professional development.

Master the Fundamentals

While it’s tempting to dive into the latest technologies and frameworks, mastering the fundamentals remains crucial. A solid understanding of core programming concepts, algorithms, and data structures forms the foundation upon which more advanced skills are built.

Revisiting fundamental concepts regularly, and applying them in real-world projects, is essential. This practice reinforces your understanding and ensures that you can solve complex problems efficiently. By focusing on the basics, you create a strong foundation that makes learning new technologies and frameworks easier and more intuitive. Moreover, employers, possible investors and collaborators will appreciate your solid grasp of fundamental skills, as it often translates to better coding practices and problem-solving abilities.

Embrace Continuous Learning

The tech industry is ever-evolving, with new tools and technologies emerging constantly. To stay relevant, you must commit to continuous learning. Platforms like Ayoba, which offers over 100 content channels covering news, entertainment, sports, and more, can serve as valuable resources for staying informed and inspired.

Setting aside dedicated time each week for learning new skills, whether through online courses, tutorials, or reading relevant industry blogs, is a practical approach. This habit ensures that you remain adaptable and ready to leverage the latest advancements in technology. Additionally, continuous learning fosters a mindset of curiosity and innovation, enabling you to approach problems with fresh perspectives and solutions.

Build a Portfolio

A strong portfolio showcasing your projects and skills is essential for standing out in the competitive tech landscape. Whether it’s open-source contributions, personal projects, or freelance work, a well-curated portfolio demonstrates your capabilities and passion for development.

Creating a personal website or repository to display your work, and ensuring it is up-to-date and reflective of your best efforts, is crucial. A compelling portfolio not only showcases your technical skills but also your ability to communicate your ideas and solutions effectively. It serves as a testament to your commitment and expertise, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers or clients.

Jobs of the future are in tech - Ayoba and AWS brought skills and excitement to young people in Cape Town who are eager to learn about software development

Leverage Super Apps for Impact

Super apps are transforming Africa’s digital landscape by providing a multitude of services within a single platform. Understanding the development and architecture of such apps can provide you with insights into creating scalable and impactful solutions.

Studying the design and functionality of super apps, and experimenting with building multi-functional applications, can significantly enhance your skillset. By learning from these complex systems, you gain valuable insights into user experience, integration of diverse services, and scalable architecture. This knowledge positions you to create innovative solutions that address real-world problems, making you a valuable asset in the tech industry.

Develop Soft Skills and Professionalism

Technical skills alone are not enough to excel in the tech industry. Soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are equally important. Ayoba’s commitment to connecting and entertaining societies underscores the value of effective communication and community-building.

Developing your soft skills by participating in team projects, seeking feedback, and practising active listening and clear communication is essential. These skills enable you to work more effectively with others, navigate complex projects, and contribute to a positive and productive work environment. Emphasising professionalism in your interactions and work habits further enhances your reputation and career prospects.

Ayoba's Role in Digital Transformation and Community Impact

In extension to imparting knowledge in the developer and technology sector, Ayoba’s initiatives across Africa, including the Ayoba Developer Programmes, employ 15,000 agents who earn commissions by educating and onboarding users. These efforts underscore the platform’s role in digital empowerment and employment creation. By equipping youth with essential tools and resources, Ayoba fosters a new generation of tech-savvy professionals who can drive Africa’s digital transformation.

Engaging with platforms and initiatives that focus on digital empowerment and education not only enhances your skills but also allows you to contribute to meaningful change in your community. By supporting and participating in these initiatives, you can help create opportunities for others, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic tech ecosystem. This involvement also enriches your own experiences and perspectives, making you a more well-rounded and socially conscious developer.

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Ride into History: Uber celebrates Heritage with discounted rides to South Africa’s Iconic sites and Museums @Uber_RSA

Hi Guys, 

As South Africa gears up for the much-anticipated Heritage Day, Uber is delighted to announce a special mobility activation that will allow South Africans and international visitors to connect with the country’s rich cultural heritage. From September 23rd to 30th, users will be able to enjoy discounted rides to some of the most iconic Heritage sites and museums in the cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban.

September is a month of profound cultural significance, culminating in the nationwide celebration of Heritage Day on September 24th and Uber is thrilled to be a part of this celebration and to leverage the cultural momentum that surrounds it. During the activation period, everyone who would like to explore the history of Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban will have the opportunity to enjoy discounted rides to some of these cities’ most iconic Heritage sites and museums:

• Johannesburg: Constitution Hill, South African National Museum Of Military History, Hector Pieterson Memorial, Mandela's House, Apartheid Museum.
• Pretoria: Union Buildings, Melrose House Museum, Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, Freedom Park Heritage Site & Museum, Voortrekker Monument.
• Durban: Durban Holocaust & Genocide Centre, The Durban Central Post Office, House of Chief Albert Luthuli, The Old Durban Railway Station, KwaMuhle Museum.
• Cape Town: Iziko Slave Lodge, Table Mountain, Castle of Good Hope, District Six Museum, Robben Island.

"For over 10 years, local and international tourists have relied on Uber to enrich their sightseeing experience. We want to continue leveraging the power of our platform to connect them with South Africa’s history and culture. By making it easier and more affordable to visit these iconic sites, we hope to encourage exploration of the rich tapestry our country’s past and present has to offer,” said Kagiso Khaole, General Manager at Uber in Sub-Saharan Africa.

How does it work?

• Open the app.
• Enter the promotional code for the city you are in:
• a. Johannesburg and Pretoria: HERITAGE1
• b. Cape Town: HERITAGE2
• c. Durban: HERITAGE3
• Enter your destination among the selectable sites and museums in each city and enjoy two trips at 50% off.

Aum Namah Shivay!

Till next time...Aashish
Thanks! Cheers!!!
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Kaweco Brass Sport Fountain Pen in Fine Nib @WriteGearSA @Kaweco_Germany #KawecoBrassSport

Hi Guys,

I fell in love with the Kaweco Sport Fountain Pens when I first saw them on an Instagram post. Since then I have been falling in love on a daily basis with their various variants of pens in different colours. When I went and checked the website of the Kaweco, I came to know about their history going way back to 1883. Kaweco has around 21 types of different ranges of products. Kaweco is a German brand which masters writing instruments mainly fountain pens, rollerball pens, digital, dip pens and mechanical pencils along with other accessories like inks, pen clips etc. Kaweco is available in more than 50 countries. 

I finally took a giant leap to buy my most expensive Fountain Pen yet from Write Gear Store in Cape Town. Please do check out their website and you will enjoy this amazing series of Fountain Pens along with some other inks and stationery products. This is my 10th Fountain Pen in the last 2 years and my first Kaweco ever. Out of these 10, I have got 8 of them in the last 2 years spending so much amount of money I have never spent on fountain pens. I use them to write my journals on a daily basis. I specifically didn't buy the clip to tie this pen to my pockets as I wanted to go to the Woodstock, Cape Town store that's heaven for pens & stationery enthusiasts. 

Kaweco Sport Range found its way into the markets in 1935 and since then the design has changed once or twice to its current avatar. Hence the nostalgia that these pens offer as their success is attributed to inspiration through historical products of earlier periods. The brand's history and the nostalgic design of its products are deeply intertwined with modern technology. 

I went through the Kaweco Sport range of products and found that it's mainly divided into 6 categories:

1. Plastic Body (Classic, Frosted and Skyline Sport along with Collaborations like Moleskine)

2. AL Sport (Aluminum)

3. BRASS

4. STEEL

5. BRONZE

6. AC SPORT 

I fell in love with the Kaweco brass sport version because it felt vintage due to its patina that's going to grow over time and second because the weight that's around 46 grams making it the heaviest pen I own. There are options to get your nib size based on your writing preferences - Extra Fine (EF), Fine (F), Medium (M), Broad (B), and Double Broad (BB). They do have some calligraphy nibs as well. The material by which the nib is made is also available in different avatars like stainless steel and 14k Gold. People say Gold nibs are really amazing to write with and I have still to reach that point in my life when I can afford Gold on my pens. 

The last thing to check is the ink-filling mechanism which is the lifeline of any fountain pen. Here also we have 3 options available: Cartridges (pre-filled and available in 11 ink colours); Squeeze converters and mini converters as Kaweco Sport can't take full-sized ink converters. Cartridges are the best choice as you can easily change the colours and no need to carry bigger ink bottles or use a syringe to fill in the ink in cartridges. I agree that it's a little bit expensive to use the cartridge if you are writing too much but then the ease of usage is great for first-time users who can then experiment with different coloured inks. Kaweco has 11 different ink colours available and all of them are available at the Write Gear shop. 

Kaweco pens look so cool that you are definitely going to buy another one as there is an extra space in the metal tin the pen comes in. Next time I will go for the classic series pen with an Extra fine nib in one of the vibrant colours. I also want to try Kaweco's Orange coloured ink available in cartridges format as well. 

This is the first time I saw that you need to buy a clip also to keep the pen in the pocket so Kaweco promotes you to have more than one pen for your desk use and another one as your travel partner. 

Thanks to Write Gear for fulfilling my dream to own a Kaweco BRASS in South Africa at a great price. Their prices are really competitive and there is no discount etc that they offer so your pen value will remain the same and you won't feel betrayed in the long run. Also, their price is competitive with the international markets considering the economic impacts on the currency exchange rates happening in South Africa. They only run an annual sale where some discount is offered and I am sure whatever products are on sale will vanish in no time from the online and retail stores. 

I bought Kaweco Brass Sport for ZAR 1600 ($87) from the Write Gear shop and the shipping was free. Despite the holidays, I made the payment on  5-Apr and received the product on 11-Apr despite the Easter holidays (7-10Apr). Along with the pen, there was a hand-written card and a bar of chocolate to enjoy your first purchase. I really feel special about the handwritten note with one of the futuristic pens or inks to look forward to from the store. Thanks a lot Write Gear for the same. 

I really loved the fairness and the community they are bringing together that helps if you have any questions about any kind of stationery products before making the actual purchase as well. After so long, I found that there are people in the world who are as crazy as I am or even legendary craziness I want to achieve in terms of stationery items helping you in the group as a community. A QR code is shown in the video to join. I hope to see you there soon.

Thanks for your time, Aashish

Cheers!!!

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Bolt Food is Bringing Jozi’s favourite Meals Home @Boltapp_za #BoltFood

Hi Friends, 

Bolt Food has launched its food delivery services in Johannesburg, giving the city’s residents access to food deliveries from more than 300 restaurants and fast-food outlets.

This follows the success of Bolt Food in Cape Town, where more than 800 restaurants have been added to the food app since it launched in April 2020.

“We piloted Bolt Food in Cape Town last year, with outstanding results,” says James Townsend-Rose, Country Manager for Bolt Food in South Africa. “Restaurants and their customers welcomed Bolt Food’s affordable prices and quick deliveries, and we are excited to bring this solution to Johannesburg, and to other South African cities in the coming months.”

Bolt Food will deliver Joburg customers’ orders from a wide range of restaurants and fast-food outlets, including Burger King, Pizza Hut, Subway, Andiccio’s, Del Forno and many others.

The service is currently available from Bryanston in the north to Braamfontein in the heart of the city and will expand across the city as more restaurants join the platform.

Food delivery fees will not be charged for orders where the distance between the food outlet and the delivery destination is less than 4.5 kilometres for the launch period. Bolt Food will offer competitive discounts of up to 50% on food orders from selected restaurants within that period too.

What’s more, Absa customers can get up to 30% cashback on their Bolt Food orders paid for with qualifying cards – making Bolt Food even more appealing.

They’re among the millions of South Africans who already know, trust, and love the Bolt brand, and who can now turn to Bolt Food for their foo0d orders from restaurants listed on the platform to be delivered quickly and affordably.

Food couriers that use Bolt Food to deliver restaurants’ food to their customers also benefit from the Johannesburg launch, with each of them being empowered to own and build their own micro-business. Drivers earn a standard fee and payments for time and mileage for completing each delivery and can choose the hours and locations to offer their service.

Download the Bolt Food app from the Google Play or Apple app stores.

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@Starbucks_SA Scores A 1-2-3 With The New FreshX #Rosebank Store #carrythemerrywithstarbucks

Hi Friends, 

Just one week after Starbucks arrived in the Western Cape and Gauteng for the first time, Starbucks is hitting another milestone in South Africa – opening its first store inside a grocery retail setting. The new Starbucks store will open in the brand-new Checkers FreshX in Rosebank Mall, as part of major expansion drive which will see eight-stores open across four weeks in the province.

Of the new Starbucks stores, five are in Cape Town, one in Stellenbosch, and one each in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

CEO Hyprop Morne Wilken with CEO of Rand Capital Coffee Adrian Maizy

Starbucks FreshX Rosebank is designed to complement the Starbucks Reserve offering, which is located outside the Rosebank Mall. Customers are invited to visit the store to enjoy the Starbucks Holiday menu including a wide selection of handcrafted seasonal beverages. Starbucks coffee is 99% ethically sourced and accredited by Conservation International under the C.A.F.E. Practices programme.

Adrian Maizey, CEO of Rand Capital Coffee, the licensee of Starbucks in South Africa, says the FreshX Rosebank store “It’s a stunning store, designed to deliver the Starbucks experience in partnership with Checkers FreshX.”

The second Starbucks ‘store within a store’ opens in Checkers FreshX in Stellenbosch on 12 December, and Maizey says that looking ahead, the two brands have entered into a long-term partnership.

Willem Hunlun, COO of Checkers, says this collaboration between the two brands will make Starbucks’ menu more accessible to consumers with the increased retail footprint through the Checkers FreshX supermarket. He adds, “As Checkers continues to grow and expand its fresh offering, the partnership with Starbucks is evidence of our efforts to offer an improved and outstanding shopping experience.”

Maizey, a born and bred South African from Pretoria, who, together with his team has been involved in the design of all the new Starbucks stores, says it’s exciting to introduce a variation in the Starbucks experience with the in-store offering. “We believe Starbucks FreshX Rosebank will be a destination for delicious coffee and a gathering place for local shoppers. Our partners, as our baristas are known, look forward to sharing their appreciation and knowledge of coffee with our customers in an environment where everyone is welcome.”,

Join the conversation on social media by sharing your Starbucks FreshX experience using the hashtag #carrythemerrywithstarbucks.

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Starbucks Expands its Footprint to #CapeTown @Starbucks_SA

Hi Friends, 

Starbucks has affirmed its bullish view on the South African market with a bold expansion into Cape Town, scheduled for later this year. This was announced by Adrian Maizey, owner and CEO of Rand Capital Coffee, the custodian of Starbucks in Southern Africa.

“We remain committed to our expansion strategy and vision, which is to provide all South Africans with an extraordinary experience and offering, from both a customer and partner perspective, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.” Maizey refers to Starbucks employees as ‘partners’ in line with the company’s global policy as the term fosters a sense of equality and shared vision, and is consistent with Starbucks’ mission to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time.

Maizey says that Starbucks’ launch into Cape Town was initially intended to happen in June. “When Covid-19 hit we had to place the initiative on hold, triggering several hard decisions that impacted all partners, and a mass round of lease renegotiations across the country.

“Fortunately, we have resilient partners and we are grateful to those landlords who share our vision and commitment to contribute to the South African economy, and who have worked closely with us to help ensure our expansion was only delayed and not cancelled. It is during such a time of crisis that the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders for the greater good, is most apparent,” says Maizey.

With several leases now in place in the Mother City, and investment initiated in the requisite supply chain, which the company has now brought inhouse, Starbucks Southern Africa is now embarking on building its Cape Town team. Rand Capital Coffee’s expansion journey will initially result in at least 50 permanent new jobs, with the further employment of local artists, construction contractors, and artisans.

Behind the strong Starbucks brand, says Maizey, is its employees. “Our business is strong because of our store partners who have shown up in support of one another and our business in tough times. They will be the ones who take Starbucks South Africa to the next level, and who will be the drivers behind the South African public’s growing passion and enjoyment of this incredible brand.”

On the subject of store design and experience, Maizey says the Cape Town stores “will offer an experience consistent with the values and store atmosphere that Starbucks is known for globally, designed to reflect the most beautiful city of them all.”

Adds Maizey, “We are humbled and delighted to introduce the Starbucks Experience to customers in Cape Town and hope our store will become not only a destination for an exceptional coffee, but also a gathering place for the local community. We look forward to sharing our deep pride and enthusiasm for coffee, brewed and served by a world-class team of passionate, knowledgeable partners with Capetonians and visitors to the city.”

Starbucks began in 1971 as a roaster and retailer of beans, ground coffee, tea and spices, with a single store in Seattle. Today the company connects with millions of customers every day with its own special taste and offering that has seen the company grow to more than 30,000 retail stores in 80 markets.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with over 32,000 stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at http://news.starbucks.com or www.starbucks.com.

Cheers!!!

Contact Aashish Rai Jain at thelifesway@gmail.com or editor@thelifesway.com to send your products, launch event invites, and services to be consumed. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra #7YearsofTheLifesWay. Follow me on www.instagram.com/thelifesway for all travel-related photo posts and subscribe to my YOUTUBE Channel too. Namaste!

#TheLifesWayReviews @TheDeskStand Wavy Sit-Stand Laptop Bed Table #ProductReview

Hi Friends, 

The Desk Stand is a Cape Town-based South African company run by Mr. Ryan Roberts who is the founder and the brain behind the ergonomics of these amazing standing DeskStands and Laptop/Desktop accessories to take away the pain he suffered from. Ryan suffered from severe back pain and could not do office work easily which led to his Industrial Product Designer mind starting working in full capacity. After going through various prototypes for DeskStand, he completed his design in 2014 which also won him the runner up design award at Design Indaba in 2015, and soon the product was launched to the market in Feb 2015. This also helped me work without any pain and his posture also improved significantly over the years and now he enables all of the consumers and saves them thousands of rands in money as well as physical, mental, and emotional pain due to diseases led by the wrong ergonomics.

After seeing a lot of posts on the DeskStand Instagram channel and various people enjoying the same, I finally waited for some kind of sale. I ordered my Wavy Sit-Stand Laptop Bed Table when it came in a sale on 25th Sep 2018 for around R395 including delivery at my doorsteps. I was so happy to have ordered the Wavy Laptop DeskStand and it came to me within 3 days and I started using the same by 28th Sep 2018. Soon I found this to be not up to the mark I thought it to be from the pictures on various social media pages and the product also didn't hold well as the legs were not even and holding point was not fully structured which led to my laptop falling several times. Soon within less than 10 times of use, the edge holding one of the legs broke and it totally came out from the wavy table. I wrote about the experience on their review posts but nothing happened and that was the end of my story for DeskStand until 2020 COVID came. 

Ryan sent an email asking me how is my DeskStand working out of the blue which I never expected from him after such a long time and soon I sent him the photos of the broken pieces of the wavy stand which was there in between the almirahs somehow waiting for this day. Immediately, Ryan offered to send me a new Wavy Laptop Bed table free of charge and took my address and sent the same to the concerned department on Apr 6th 2020. Soon enough after the lockdown was relaxed and DeskStand started delivering the products, I got my new table on 11th May 2020. This one is completely stable and holds my laptop and other accessories quiet well. I am so happy with the customer service and satisfaction, Ryan has brought me. 

Coming back to the Wavy Table which is made from 9mm Baltic Birch Plywood which can support up to 5 kilograms of weight. I don't think any laptop is more than that so it can easily take your breakfast and coffee also. I generally use the same for my journal writing and reading books on kindle as it supports the hands quite nicely other than the regular use of laptop and mouse for writing these blog posts. I really love the design of folding legs, 6 ventilations lines to let the warm air from any laptop distributed and a 6mm groove to keep your pens, etc all around the table length and breadth. 

The overall height of the product is 24cm, width is 54cm, depth is 36cm and folded height is only 4cm so it can be easily stored when not in use under your bed or on the space between bed and side-table. The wavy table weighs around 1.5 kilograms. Also, the same when used on any other table can be easily converted to hold your screen or display, and also you can even work in the standing position while your laptop rests on the capable Wavy DeskStand. I am thinking of now using the Wavy laptop stand for product photography for all the reviews I am going to do in the near future. I just wish that the lacquer coating should have been done on the inside of the vents and also on the legs and the overall body of the ply to make it smooth but it might add to the cost and also will make the plank slippery. 

Not only this, but the product also comes with 60 days return guarantee, 1-year warranty, free lifetime support on call and worldwide shipping so if you know someone suffering from back pain or need to be ergonomically better, then you can order for them by gifting this unique range of products. I myself is now changing house and there is no study table so I am again on the lookout for a sale where I can order a JUMBO DeskStand which can really hold on to several devices needed to shoot my Youtube Videos and also help me during the editing which can happen anywhere with the help of Jumbo DeskStand even in the balcony on a rainy evening or inside near the sofa or even on the corner of the bed. Moreover, it gives more flexibility to adjust the height as per your body structure, as I am 5 feet 10 inches it will definitely improve the overall ergonomics for my body and back. RATING For WAVY DeskStand 4.5/5

Sawubona!

Contact Aashish Rai Jain at thelifesway@gmail.com or editor@thelifesway.com to send your products, launch event invites, and services to be consumed. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra #7YearsofTheLifesWay. Follow me on www.instagram.com/thelifesway for all travel-related photo posts. Namaste!

#CapeTown from #SignalHill in the Night #SA #PhotoYatra #TheLifesWayCaptures

Hi Friends,

Cape Town is one of the best cities in terms of tourism and popularity across the world. People from all walks of life want to come, visit and stay in the city to enjoy the nightlife, beaches and so many other things available for everyone. 

I have till now never posted any photographs of this lovely city but as we start now you will be amazed by the beauty of this beach city. Not only it is big but also has many spots where people go and see the sunrise and sunsets every day of the year. 

Cape Town is amongst one of the cities featured in a lot of Bollywood movies as well as TV serials and Hollywood also has the city featured in many movies. 

Signal Hill is totally free for everyone but the parking space is very less at the top maybe for 15-20 cars max so you park on the side of the road taking you up. This is a junction from where you divert from the road which takes you to Table Mountain and in between the trail comes to take you to the top of Lion's Head and then you reach Signal Hill and there is nothing after that as you have to take a U-turn downwards. 

Look at the trident the roads of Cape Town makes and it looks so lovely on the dark nights without moon but generally, it is not allowed after a certain time in the evenings to go to Signal Hill. 

Here is a closer look at the road which forms the trident all from the top of the Signal Hill using my Nikon D7000 camera with 18-105mm kit lens. 

I have never felt bored by visiting this city ever and I have been to the city multiple times already and want to get myself a flat when I retire and enjoy the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean. All photos are taken by Aashish Rai from Signal Hill and I really want to hike to the top of Lions Head in my next visit to the city. 

Sawubona!

Contact Aashish Rai Jain at thelifesway@gmail.com or editor@thelifesway.com to send your products, launch event invites, and services to be consumed. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra #7YearsofTheLifesWay. Follow me on www.instagram.com/thelifesway for all travel-related photo posts. Namaste!

The Digital Dash for Africa #AfricaCom2019 @Connects_Africa #ConnectingAfrica

Hi Friends, 

Africa’s vast, untapped human potential is on the verge of incredible technological leaps forward with the rapid spread of digital technologies across the continent, along with the growing accessibly of NextGen technology.

Major obstacles facing the continent, include the structural challenges required to develop Africa’s digital ecosystem, along with the importance of building a skills base. This topic, among many that have the power to truly propel Africa into owning its digital future, will be up for discussion at AfricaCom happening 12 – 14 November in Cape Town, South Africa. 

Connectivity is the backbone of all economic opportunities and hence, Africa’s ‘thrival’ (beyond sustainability and survival to a thriving digitally enhanced continent). The connectivity track and exhibition Hall also explore and showcase what is required for the enablers of this desired thrival, the telcos, to become fully digital. 

Assisting in this evolution will be an entire plethora of emerging technologies. What these are and how they can help secure a digital future for all, will be unpacked in a dedicated panel discussion on Wednesday 13 November that will cover:

• How can we maximize the transformative impact of innovative technologies on lives and businesses in Africa?
• Seeing short-term practical benefits from new technology rollouts
• How can we effectively scale these technologies to solve society’s challenges?
• What are the key barriers to increased technology adoption? Who is best placed to overcome them?

The confirmed moderator for this session is Terryanne Chebet, General Manager, Metropol TV who will be joined by the Hon. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT & Innovation, Republic of Rwanda; Isabel dos Santos, Chair, UNITEL; Carole Wamuyu Wainaina, Chief Operating Officer, Africa50; Juliet Ehimuan, Country Director, Google Nigeria and Charlene Verzmoter, Head of Philanthropy, Microsoft.

The growth of digital will facilitate profound advancement for Africa on a number of levels.  Perhaps the most impactful, aside from how it will enhance education and thus tomorrow’s businesses, will be the changing of the current business landscape. Enterprise Digital Transformation will, therefore, be a key theme at this year’s AfricaTech Centre Stage, a new show feature.

Sessions to look out for include:

• Technology is fundamentally reshaping the way we do business: What should enterprise leaders expect in 2 years, 5 years, 10 years and 20 years, and how should they respond?
• How is Artificial Intelligence transforming African business and how can it be used to elevate African economies?
• Improving mining safety and retaining competitive advantage: utilizing IoT to power Africa's largest industry
• Cybersecurity and data privacy: Don’t let rapid digital transformation and technology adoption become a double-edged sword!

Also sharing their knowledge will be some of the brightest women in world telecoms and technology, who will discuss industry trends, such as best practices of accessing global markets, opportunities and gaps on the continent, and an engaging Fireside Chat discussing what goes into deciding to invest in an idea.

The Women in Tech track will also turn over key issues for women in the industry ranging from the need for diversity in AI, to challenging the “bro-culture” coined by KRS Software’s CEO Lorraine Steyn, on the challenges women face in breaking into the industry, staying in it or returning to it, as well as making the industry more attractive for women, as well as how to attract top women talent to the industry through offering remote and flexible working conditions. 

Speaking up and speaking out, is a power-packed line-up of dynamic women such as:

Matsi Modise (Furaha Solutions), Baratang Miya (GirlHype and Uhuru Spaces), Carol Bouwer (CB Productions), Hannah Subayi (South Suez Capital), Tanya Van Lill (SAVCA), Anelisa Tuswa (ETV), Lebogang Miya (Mari), Lethabo Motsoaledi (Voyc.ai), Siyabonga Tiwana (Skywalk Innovations), Nomso Kana (SEDA), Emma Wade-Smith OBE (HM Trade Commissioner for Africa), Marilyn Radebe (Black IT Forum), Elisabeth Medou Badang (Orange), Lorraine Steyn (Khanyisa Real Systems), Louise de Beer (Leadhome), Kutlwano Mofolo (Tech Savvy Kids), Eugina Jordan, (Parallel Wireless), Cassandra Enyan (Google), Shivani Pillay (Uber) and Deseré Orrill (Ole!Connect).

Other highlights to factor in when visiting AfricaCom are:

• IoT World Africa
• AI Summit Cape Town
• FinTech Africa
• LeadersIn Summit
• Connecting Africa
• Headliners - are free to attend and the full line-up is available here.

More than 15,000 visitors will be building relationships and setting up deals at AfricaCom in 2019, along with tracking the line-up of heavyweight speakers and industry experts who will be sharing their knowledge and opportunities. 

AfricaCom 2019 is only days away, and registration is open for delegates and media who are ready to stay on trend with cutting edge insights from the industry leaders who make things happen on the continent. Diarise now, the talks and presentations you can’t afford to miss out on and get ready to take your place at AfricaCom 2019 at the CTICC from 12 – 14 November 2019.

Cheers!!!

Contact me at thelifesway@gmail.com or editor@thelifesway.com to collaborate on your products, events, and services. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra!

@ComicConAfrica Ends On A High Note #ComicConAfrica #ReedExpoAfrica #Reedpop

Hi Friends, 

The doors of Comic Con Africa 2019 closed for the final time on the evening of 24th Sep 2019, but the buzz and excitement generated by four days of the greatest celebration of pop-culture that South Africa has ever seen show no signs of abating. The sheer magnitude of this Con was something to behold – Reed Exhibitions and Reedpop promised that Comic Con Africa would be bigger and better, and on that promise they delivered. With an astounding 71,000 visitors, seven halls packed with 300 exhibitors, four international film, TV series, and gaming celebrities, 12 international comic artists and writers, 12 local comic creators, one international cosplayer, two international DJs, competitions, specials, and giveaways, an esports prize pool of R1.3 million, 26,000 square meters of event space, 120 hours of content, and one incredible Wingman in the form of KFC, Comic Con Africa 2019 exceeded all expectations.

This year the guests in Artist Alley tripled in numbers and the incredible line-up left fans spoilt for choice. In the feature area, artists and illustrators engaged in live drawings and sketch offs, sharing anecdotes and artistic tips as they did so. Ecstatic fans watched their favorite characters drawn in real-time on large screens mounted above the easels. Under the grading organization CGC’s watchful eye, comic books were signed and sent for evaluation and protective casing to preserve investment pieces. Alongside in the Writers Block, local novelists and authors signed their books and spoke on educational panels to encourage local writers to pick up their pens. The Block was filled with handmade creativity including pop-culture inspired clothing, décor, and jewelry.

The Cosplay of Comic Con Africa 2019 was a visual feast. You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d bumped into Iron Man or Wonder Woman walking straight off a Marvel film set, such as the level of detail and skill evidenced in these pieces of walking art. Cosplay Central was buzzing all weekend long with skits and well-known local and international Cosplayers signing prints. Fascinating panels for newbies and pros alike gave insight into crafting the perfect wig, applying make-up, or how to cosplay with confidence. The Cosplay Karaoke Café was a real hit with Cosplayers belting out magnificent renditions of well-known songs. Casual Cosplay competitions took place every day on the main stage, and on Tuesday the highly anticipated Championships of Cosplay winners were announced. The overall Cosplay winner Jinxkitty, who wowed with her Priestess Bathory cosplay, will be representing Africa at the Championships of Cosplay Quest for the Crown at C2E2 in America. Leon de Bruin of GES, Comic Con Africa’s Cosplay partner, was blown away by the level of this year’s Cosplay and called on any interested Cosplayers to sign up for 2020’s competition.

Hall 5 housed Pop-Culture retailers and exhibitors, many of whom had special deals that were snapped up by happy visitors. Comics, figurines, collectibles, clothing and other merchandise absolutely flew off the shelves and into the hands of thrilled collectors. Radio partner to the Con, 5fm provided the musical vibes with live broadcasts from their DJs who were happy to chat with fans. TikTok’s WoahTikTok competition on the main stage was a fun addition from Con’s digital media partner. Television Media partner Viacom celebrated 25 years of the series Friends and brought THE show’s couch where fans queued up to have their picture taken. There was one particularly special exhibitor in this hall. The presenting sponsor of Comic Con Africa 2019, The Ultimate Wingman, the makers of finger-lickin' goodness KFC, made their home here with a gigantic KFC bucket housing a greenscreen set up where visitors could photograph themselves in a setting of their imagination. Also on their stand was a caricaturist and a special edition of local arcade game Boetfighter, along with cosplayers in the costumes of the specially commissioned Comic Con Africa KFC Captain Colonel.

Hall 5 was also the location of the KFC main stage where panels, Q&As, competitions, and interviews were held with international film and TV series celebrities like Star Trek’s William Shatner, The Originals’ Daniel Gillies, and video game voice actors Nolan North and Troy Baker. Audiences were awed in the presence of these pop-culture giants. The stars themselves were charmed by our South African audiences – in the words of Daniel Gillies, we are “the most polite people I ever met… the fans are so warm and kind, and polite.” Just off the main stage, Hall 6 was the scene of photo ops and autographs with the celebrities, and fans came out ecstatically gripping these souvenirs and treasuring their

Comic Con Africa’s 2019 gaming offering was nothing short of a paradise for both casual and avid gamers. The absolutely enormous esports set up of the Con’s gaming and connectivity partner Telkom VS Gaming filled an entire wall, giving Con-goers a panoramic-like view of the action. Featuring nail-biting finals of the likes of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota2, local esports teams kept their cool playing for their share of an R1,3 million prize pool – the largest prize pool at any esports event in South Africa. The spectators were captivated, their eyes glued to the live-action. Freeplay areas had gamers trying their skills on the latest titles such as Mortal Kombat, PUBG, and Fortnite, while Xbox exhibited exclusively at the Con. Playstation gave away a highly sought-after limited edition 20th Anniversary PS4, and ATK had state of the art equipment on display for players to test run. Red Bull’s Hit the Streets, a nationwide contest of the best Street Fighter V players from across the country, hosted their finals on the last day of the Con. In line with Comic Con Africa’s aim to uplift and develop local talent, Project Springbok provided a platform for up-and-coming developers to showcase their work.

Comic Con Africa’s newest addition, the first kid-focused convention in South Africa, was KidsCon. But don’t be fooled – KidsCon delighted adults too. The African continent’s largest LEGO® activation saw visitors swallowed up in pools of LEGO® bricks surrounded by LEGO® characters come to life. Kids could meet the My Little Ponies and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Nintendo brought Mario and Luigi along with the opportunity to play Splatoon, Mario Kart, and Supersmash Bros Ultimate. BIC and Exclusive Books were there to encourage creativity among other edutainment offerings from Hasbro and ToyZone. Sponsored by Jaguar Landrover, KidsCon was masterminded by our Little Board of Experts, 11 kids who shared their ideas and made KidsCon an event for kids, by kids. Those little experts were very much a part of the Con and strutted their stuff on the KidsCon main stage in the Cotton On fashion shows.

The Ballroom of Gallagher Convention Centre was the scene of a tabletop gaming extravaganza. With bottomless coffee supplied by KFC, tabletop gamers met and engaged in epic battles with cards, dice, and miniature figurines. As the organizing partner of this impressive battlefield, Solarpop encouraged players to engage in the connection and creativity of Tabletop Gaming with their Unplug Yourself arena. Next door in the auditorium were exclusive screenings of Abominable, along with The Angry Birds, films by Black Sands, and many more exciting showings. LARPing took place in the trees of Gallagher Estate, with players battling each other with safe play swords, giant shields, maces, and jousting lances.

The Business of Gaming Forum, now in its second year, was held on Monday. Fascinating keynote addresses, panel discussions, and shared ideas from the gaming industry were the order of the event. Speakers from South Africa, the African continent, and international thought leaders flew in for the day, sharing fascinating content on maximizing the value of gaming as a marketing tool or a commercial product, and the direction of the modern gaming ecosystem.

There truly was something for every fandom at Comic Con Africa 2019. As positive feedback comes flying in from visitors and exhibitors alike, Reed Exhibitions and Reedpop are thrilled to have hosted a second successful Comic Con Africa that remained true to our driving force: always put our fans FIRST! And what comes next? Comic Con Cape Town of course. Put 1 – 3 May 2020 in your diaries to experience the inaugural Comic Con Cape Town at the Cape Town Stadium.

Results

Championships of Cosplay

Youth: Jordan as Ayumi

Skills: Mittel Elf Cat Cosplay as Foxy from Five Nights at Freddy’s

Representation: Chaotic Good Cosplay as Moze from Bonderlands 3

Construction: Bites Cosplay as Rathalos Armour from Monster Hunter

Armour: Gammablast Cosply as Arthus from Warcraft 3

Needlework: BlueCat Cosply as Captain Amelia from Treasure Planet

Master Champion: Fredwolf Cosplay as Spawn from Spawn Universe

Champion of Cosplay: Jinxkitty Cosplay as Priestess Bathory

Telkom VS Gaming Tournaments

CS:GO

First place: Energy Esports

Second place: Big 5

Dota2

First place: Goliath Gaming

Second place: Sinister 5

Red Bull’s Hit The Streets Street Fighter V

Jesse "GXJes” Shabangu will proceed to the Grand Finale in Cape Town

Guests

Film and Series

• William Shatner
• Daniel Gillies
• Gaming voice over actors
• Nolan North
• Troy Baker

International Comic Artists

• Will Sliney
• Donny Cates
• James C Mulligan
• Aleksi Briclot
• Jesus Merino
• Paco Diaz
• Tomeu Morey
• David Angelo Roman
• Patric Reynolds
• Black Sands Entertainment
• David Mack
• Zu Orzu
• Ilya Kushinov

Local Artists and Authors

• Lauren Beukes
• Ray Whitcher
• Simangaliso Sibaya
• Terence Maluleke
• Warren Louw
• Jason Masters
• Sean Izaakse
• Mohale Mashigo
• Loyiso Mkize
• Clyde Beech
• Bill Masuku
• Moray Rhoda

International Cosplayers

• Leanna Vamp

Cheers!!!

Contact me at thelifesway@gmail.com or editor@thelifesway.com to collaborate on your products, events, and services. #TheLifesWay #PhotoYatra!