Uber Launches A Suite of New Product and Safety Features Across SSA #UberSSA @Uber_RSA

Hi Friends, 

Today Uber announced the launch of multiple new products and features which are going live this month in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. The launch, which took place simultaneously across various locations in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), also showcased Audio Recording, the latest addition to its suite of safety features.

Speaking at the event, General Manager for Uber SSA, Kagiso Khaole said the brand is pleased to be expanding into eight more cities during September across Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana.

“As we gear ourselves to mark our 10th year anniversary next year, we are excited about moving into more cities enabling people to go anywhere and can get anything. Our commitment to raising the bar on safety remains relentless and we continue to work hard to grow the over 3 million earnings opportunities we have created thus far.”

Eight new cities and counting

Uber will now be operational in Owerri and Akure in Nigeria; Eldoret, Kisumu, Nakuru and Naivasha in Kenya; and Tamale and Sunyani in Ghana. These expansions are a testament to Uber’s commitment to the region and signal more opportunities for more drivers to earn, while riders have convenient and reliable travel options at the tap of a button. In these expansions, Uber brings a diverse product mix that is able to best serve the needs of the city residents.

More economical options for riders

To help reduce costs for riders and increase demand for drivers, Uber is launching UberX Share in Ghana and Nigeria and Uber ChapChap Share in Kenya. Uber’s shared rides offering allows riders to save up to 30% of the trip fare when matched with a co-rider heading in the same direction, and where a match is not possible, they will still be able to save 5% from their ride.

“The introduction of UberX Share allows us to proudly demonstrate the power of our platform, understanding the ability to match rider destinations while delivering convenience and affordability. We are a global company that builds locally; and in Ghana, we tapped into the local culture of car-pooling when moving around, which makes this product a great fit for the market,” says Khaole.

Travelling across the city with an entire crew has never been easier, with the launch of UberXL in Nairobi, Kenya. This option provides seating for up to six people which is great for airport and business trips where extra luggage space may be required. In South Africa, riders can now reserve their group travel 30 days in advance with UberXL Reserve and Uber Van Reserve.

Uber Comfort, which is currently available in South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire, will now be available in Ghana. This bespoke offering is designed for riders looking for an upgrade to their everyday ride with extra comfort. Drivers on Uber Comfort are known to provide excellent service while exhibiting friendliness, courtesy and professionalism.

Uber Connect, one of the app’s most popular products available in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Ghana; will soon be available in two additional cities in Nigeria. Uber Connect is an on-demand delivery solution that allows users to send and receive packages with speed. The feature comes built-in with a PIN verification providing users peace of mind that their package is being delivered to the right person.

Taking a stand for safety

“Safety is at the core of how we do business and we are proud to announce three new safety features to help improve the experience of users”, says Khaole.

Audio Recording pilot in South Africa: Uber will now allow riders and drivers to use the app to record and share audio of their trip as evidence in the case of a safety incident - something that drivers have been asking for based on their feedback from roundtable sessions. This new opt-in audio recording feature, which is being piloted in Pretoria and Johannesburg, has been successful in the US and Latin American regions where Uber has a presence.

In-app emergency service in Nigeria: Uber is working with Sety in Nigeria, to provide on-demand security and medical response for riders and drivers while on a trip. This collaboration will also provide access to a private security response unit closest to their location, using a connected device.

Safety Check Up across SSA: This feature encourages riders to complete their safety profile by turning on and utilising the available features such as Trusted Contacts, PIN verification and RideCheck. This is available in all the countries within SSA where Uber operates.

Delivery innovations

At the launch, Uber Eats reinforced its aspiration of building an app of the future by creating a virtual mall experience that goes beyond just food. “Other categories we have ventured into include convenience stores, pharmacy outlets, alcohol and retail and this shows us that the possibilities are endless,” says Cikida Gcali-Mabusela, Head of New Verticals for Uber Eats Sub-Saharan Africa.

Uber Eats continues to push beyond boundaries with the adoption of the growing trend of dark stores, which gives non-traditional merchants opportunities to tap into unchartered markets that they wouldn’t have easily accessed.

Uber Eats currently operates in South Africa and Kenya. Kui Mbugua, General Manager for Uber Eats Kenya says, ‘With a 67% year-on-year growth of subscriptions on Eats, we are humbled and encouraged by the expansion that we have seen in the South Africa and Kenya markets.

“The future of logistics and technology in emerging markets looks promising. Our overall vision continues to be to build locally using global experience and become a one-stop shop for delivery needs. Not only is Uber Eats creating unique earning opportunities, but our operations also have a positive knock-on effect on restaurants, merchants, and delivery people. Looking ahead, we are committed to leading the category by investing in product and access, while leveraging the power of the platform,” concludes Kui.

Cheers!!!

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Go Proudly Local At The Vibrant New African Lane @RosebankMall #RosebankMall

Hi Friends,

‘Going local’ is so much more than trendy and woke – especially at the renowned Rosebank Art & Craft Market where a brand new African Lane campaign has been launched to highlight the best and brightest local arts and crafts in town, at ‘I think I’ll get two at that price’ pricing, with memorable encounters with the talented vendors whose passion for their work and for people adds charm to the whole shopping experience.

African Lane brings the Rosebank Art & Craft Market into the Rosebank Mall from Fridays to Sundays, launching on 12 March and running for eight weeks, located on level 2 in the CNA, Lacoste, and Le Creuset walkways. The market will feature 57 of the 114 traders per week on a rotational basis to ensure compliance with Covid protocols and equal opportunities for all.

Mel Jeffries, Marketing Manager of Rosebank Mall, says the Rosebank Art & Craft Market is an important and vibrant hub in the Rosebank community. “As with all markets, it was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and the vendors struggled, but the indomitable African spirit is in full force at African Lane – and their stunning work is gracing their stalls for everyone, locals and guests, to find something special and unique to gift or keep, to use or gaze at, but essentially to enjoy.”

African Lane is a ‘Support Small Business’ concept, offering a rich diversity of authentic and proudly African products at affordable local prices, by artists and traders from several African countries, including South Africa, Ghana, Congo, Cameroon, Malawi, Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

“The range of art and crafts is both beautiful and eclectic, and includes a wide range of ornaments, beadwork, handbags, décor items, paintings, animal skins, and a variety of gifting items, each showcasing the talent and creativity of their crafters,” says Jeffries.

Most artists in Africa come down from their families; from generation to generation, from the grandfather to the father to the son, passing on the inspiration for their art. Most of the art in Africa is also related to the culture, tradition and the region where the artist is from, making their art unique according to their specific influences.

Jeffries adds that the African Lane experience at the Rosebank Art & Craft Market offers the ideal opportunity for Gautengers and guests to the area to discover new-found colour-rich treasures, to stroll the walkways and be inspired, to admire the imagination and skill that goes into each intriguing product, and to shop with a conscience, knowing that supporting African Lane is building sustainable livelihoods for many households. “There are many reasons to visit African Lane,” she says, “but the best one is that it’s always an uplifting and rewarding experience.”

Cheers!!!

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@VMware IT Academy: Virtualize #Africa Programme Expands to Enhance #DigitalSkills in Africa

Hi Friends, 

VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW), a leading innovator in enterprise software, today announced the expansion of the VMware IT Academy: Virtualize Africa program. As part of this expansion, it shared details of a Memorandum of Understanding with Strathmore University - @iLabAfrica Centre, Kenya. The overarching goal is to empower the fast-growing, young African population to enter the digital workforce with confidence and expertise, helping to address the skills gap and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent.

The African labor market is experiencing significant disruption due to fast-paced technological advances. With the emergence of new fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing, business models have radically changed and so have the skill sets required by individuals to thrive in this new environment. Through the VMware IT Academy: Virtualize Africa program, VMware is collaborating with key stakeholders across academia, government and industry to equip African students with the technical skills and certifications required to succeed in the digital economy.

Strathmore University in Kenya has built an international reputation for its world-class academic teaching, professional training, and research in technology. Working with VMware IT Academy: Virtualize Africa, the University has already begun integrating a range of VMware developed courses into its curricula that cover topics such as virtualization, cloud computing, AI and IoT. This is facilitated through subsidized software licenses and certification vouchers from VMware.

@iLabAfrica, a Centre of Excellence in Research and Innovation in Information Communication Technology at the University, is spearheading the rollout with 20 trainers and over 100 students at the University participating. The students will be able to benefit from access to high-quality learning online resources, hands-on lab experiences to develop technical skills, and the opportunity to achieve industry-recognized VMware certification to complement their chosen fields of study.

“We are delighted to be part of VMware IT Academy: Virtualize Africa. It provides a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain technical skills and industry-recognized VMware certifications, helping to jumpstart their careers with the best knowledge and skills of international standards. Our shared goal with VMware is to become the VMware IT Academy regional lead for East Africa, training lecturers and students from Strathmore and other universities plus facilitating their participation in the program. Increased access to this type of education and training for students is a critical part of Africa realizing the potential of its youth and a prosperous Africa,” said Dr. Joseph Sevilla, Director @iLabAfrica, Strathmore University.

“Skills development is recognized as a key component for economic growth and prosperity. VMware IT Academy: Virtualize Africa helps educational institutions align curricula with the skills needed for the labor market, thereby building talent for Africa’s jobs of today and tomorrow. Our discussions to form a strategic collaboration with Strathmore University is a significant milestone in this program, and will bring new skills and opportunities to its students, and in the future to many more young people in East Africa,” said Thomas MacKay, Senior Director for Global Strategic Programs, VMware.

Hear more about VMware IT Academy: Virtualize Africa and VMware’s engagement with Strathmore University at the Innovating Education in Africa Expo, Gaborone, Botswana. Thomas MacKay, Senior Director for Global Strategic Programs, VMware will share more details Tuesday 20th August, at 17.00, during Plenary Session 3: Exploring Innovative Pathways and Technologies for the Provision of Lifelong and Life-wide Education.

About @iLabAfrica Centre

@iLabAfrica is a Centre of Excellence in ICT Innovation and Development at Strathmore University. The center spearheads Research and Innovation in Information Communication Technology for the Development (ICT4D) of ecosystems towards the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to contribute toward Kenya’s Vision 2030. The research center is involved in interdisciplinary research, students’ engagement and has partnered with over 800 institutions (Universities, NGOs, foundations, and government) worldwide and other funding agencies. For more information, please visit www.ilabafrica.ac.ke

About VMware IT Academy

VMware IT Academy works with a global network of educational institutions to provide students access to high-quality learning certification opportunities and hands-on lab experiences with VMware technologies. VMware provides free curriculum and materials, with the goal of helping students jump-start their software careers. In 2018, VMware IT Academy worked with 2,400 institutions in 79 countries and provided 1.3 million free software downloads for educational purposes.

About VMware

VMware software powers the world’s complex digital infrastructure. The company’s cloud, networking and security, and digital workspace offerings provide a dynamic and efficient digital foundation to over 500,000 customers globally, aided by an ecosystem of 75,000 partners. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, VMware is committed to being a force for good, from its breakthrough innovations to its global impact. For more information, please visit https://www.vmware.com/company.html. VMware is a registered trademark of VMware, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions.

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Product Review - @AramexSA Global Shopper - Part 2

Hi Guys,

Aramex Global Shopper is an amazing concept to get your favorite gadgets as soon as possible from the launch countries. Now you don't need to go to gray market and pay enormous amount to buy the latest Apple gadgets. It's also beneficial for something that is going for sale or cheap prices in US / UK markets. I always see there is a huge mismatch in prices between the United States and every other country around the world. It's always great to have something from the source as the extra cost you can afford and ready to pay.

So now coming back to the point 6 (as per info-graphics image above) where my order was processed by Amazon.com and now I am awaiting the delivery of my package at the NY address. Read first post here -  http://www.thelifesway.com/2015/04/product-review-aramex-global-shopper.html

Amazon.com is really very fast in terms of delivering the package and it reached the New York AGS facility within 3-4 days including Sat/Sun. As soon as it reaches the AGS facility, I got an email from AGS that my package has now reached their warehouse and I will be informed when it's on it's way to Johannesburg.

AGS created a record on MY PACKAGE tracking page once I logged into the website to keep a track of my items in transit. It took them a day to finally finalize the package to be shipped to Johannesburg. It was the time that I need to pay for the package shipping fees which came out to be R274/USD23 (the exchange rate on the day of payment). My package was about 1 kilograms so the fees was R274. Customs and other charges will be extra if any is charged will be taken from you later.

The package reached AGS operations facility in CBD, Johannesburg in 2-3 days max and was awaiting confirmation of payment and delivery as it was weekend when it reached the city. I was waiting the package to reach me on Monday but it didn't so I called the customer care number around 12pm and talked to the staff. The IVRS helpline was easy to use and staff was helpful to track my package and confirm that it will be released by today eod and I will receive it next morning.

I was very elated to receive the package at around 10am the very next morning and there was no custom charges attached to my goods which made the deal much more great. So all in all if you subscribe to AGS (USD 45) + Online Order (X amount) + Shipping Charges (USD 25) = Happy Customers ( USD 70 + X amount of goods) for the first time. But the first USD 45 fees to become a member is once in a lifetime and you can order for as many years as you want or till the time Aramex service is available for everyone. On you next order, you just need to pay for the goods and shipping charges as per the weight of the package, so in the long run you will cover the cost of initial membership, if you or your friends or family wants to order a lot from many countries.

Aramex Global Shopper does what it's name reflects and message it conveys as it turns you into a shopper globally without any limits but within some respectful constraints laid out by respective countries for import rules. If you are a true shoppholic and wants your goods to be delivered as soon as they are launched, get the membership of this amazing facility to have shipping address in 15 countries and get them delivered in Kenya and South Africa. This service will expend soon based on the initial response and I wish them all the very best. I am very happy with the service as one of my dream gadgets is now in my hands and I am able to enjoy it fully which I will blog about soon. Thanks to ARAMEX GLOBAL SHOPPER.

Cheers!!!

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Product Review - @AramexSA Global Shopper - Part 1

Hi Guys,

It's been a shopaholic dream to buy all the latest gadgets from around the world and get it delivered it right at my doorsteps in not more than a week of the launch of the product. I have been waiting for the same since my childhood to get my dream gadgets and goodies right from UK and USA. It was so easy to get anything in London from amazon UK or USA but when I came to South Africa, I did missed the service of buying anything and getting it delivered here.

Aramex Global Shopper is an online shopping delivery solution which allows you to buy products from any one of the 15 countries and get it locally delivered to your location in Kenya and South Africa. This service is launched by the Aramex which is a leading global provider of comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions since 1982. In January 1997, Aramex became the first Arab-based international company to trade its shares on the NASDAQ stock exchange.

Coming back to the logic of how this service works for me and you is a number of steps that we need to follow before we can start shopping and ordering stuff for ourselves.

Step 1 - Go online and click on http://www.aramexglobalshopper.com/en/home

Step 2 - Click to Sign Up and register yourself for this service. You will receive an email to confirm the same.

Step 3 - Once you click on the link provided in the email, you will have to enter more details about your address locally (Kenya or South Africa currently) to get your product delivered to you. Save and submit.

Step 4 -Payments page will charge you USD 45 once to become a lifetime membership fees which you can pay via various online payment modes. You can also enter any coupon or deals vouchers if any. 

The best part about the AGS (Aramex Global Shopper) is that it comes with a first year Moneyback guarantee in case you are not satisfied with the service, you can ask for a refund of your money. Your active AGS account will be deactivated in  that case and you longer won't be able to use the services.

Step 5 - Once registered, you get 15 personalized physical addresses in New York, London, Shanghai, Istanbul, Dubai, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Frankfurt, Milan, Barcelona, Paris, Singapore, Ontario and Malaysia. You can use these addresses to shop from the US, UK/EU, China, Turkey, UAE, India, Hong Kong, South Africa, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Singapore, Canada and Malaysia and they will deliver them to where you live at reasonable shipping rates. While ordering products from any local online shopping like amazon US, you will have to enter the US addresses as your local address along with a AGS number that will be allocated to every registered member. This number will help track as to which shipment belongs to which registered user.

Step 6 -Once your products that you ordered reaches the AGS facility, you will receive an email from them. You are now a step closer to your favourite products. You can now pay online for the shipping charges from the AGS facility to your home. To give you an idea of charges it's around R275 for around 1 kg of package for Zone 1 and R200 for Zone 2 (UAE, India and Turkey).

Step 7 - After the payment, the package will take around a week (2-6 working days) to reach your city and once you receive the package you have pay for the Custom fees or any charges pending at the time of delivery by the Aramex. 

Do check some of the unacceptable material as per the custom rules and regulations within various countries before ordering stuff from your favorite online shopping channel.

AGS Protect offers free insurance upto USD 100 and you can choose to pay for insurance for any items above USD 100 by yourself to be on the safe side. It's not compulsory to take this service. You can choose and decide based on the products you are ordering.

Check out our infographic below that explains how our service works.

I am personally trying this service out and I have reached till the step of ordering my favourite gadgets from Amazon.com in USA and the shipment will be reaching AGS facility by 30th April. I will then order the package to reach me in Johannesburg. I will write a post after I receive the package about the quality of this service once again. Till that time keep on enrolling and choosing your favorite products from your online shopping websites.

Read the concluding part of the Aramex Shopping experience here - http://www.thelifesway.com/2015/05/product-review-aramex-global-shopper.html

Cheers!!!

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