News from the Group « Convergence Partners

Skillpod develops games for the eThekwini Municipality’s Ulwazi initiative aimed at using games to develop computer and language skills

August 26th, 2010 | admin

SkillPod in conjunction with the eThekwini Municipality have developed a series of (mostly) indigenous games or variations thereon to encourage children and people who are unfamiliar with computers to engage with them in a fun and practical way. This is a proven learning tool and will lead to an increase in digital skills amongst those persons playing the games. In addition, the games are in isiZulu, to enable users to play/learn in their home language but also to encourage English speakers to become more comfortable with isiZulu.

Tags: education, eThekwini Municipality, isiZulu games, Skillpod, Ulwazi
Posted in Media, News from the Group

New Dawn profiled in Communications Africa Magazine

August 11th, 2010 | admin

In the latest edition of Communications Africa Magazine, the technical and commercial benefits of geostationary communications satellites are assessed, contrasting them to both the failed high profile experimental satellite technologies of the previous decade, as well as to other communications technologies in Africa, notably fibre, as it arrives on the continent’s shores in abundance. In particular profiling the New Dawn satellite.

NTT Makes R24.4 billion offer for Dimension Data

July 16th, 2010 | admin

On 15 July 2010, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (“NTT”) Dimension Data Holdings plc (“Dimension Data” or “DiData”) announced that they have reached agreement on the terms of a cash offer to be made by NTT for 100% of Dimension Data. The offer, totalling approximately GBP 2.1 billion (R24.4 billion), was unanimously recommended by both Boards of Directors. Andile Ngcaba, Chairman of Dimension Data’s Middle East and Africa business (“DDMEA”), as well as of its minority shareholder Convergence Partners, is excited about the deal and how its positions DiData in his region. “With access to the resources, products and R&D of the NTT Group, DDMEA is better positioned than ever to grow its presence and capitalise on new and fast growing market opportunities, such as cloud computing. The deal is great for the country and the company”.

SkillPod Media and Integrat launch Play4Games mobile games portal

June 29th, 2010 | admin

Convergence investees SkillPod Media and Integrat have launched their joint mobile games portal, Play4Games.co.za, which supports all the most popular smart phone handsets. The site has been branded as Play4Games and forms part of Integrat’s mobile entertainment brand Play4. The platform makes use of the Integrat High Gate mobile payments platform and the SkillPod Media mobile games platform.

Tags: Blackberry’s, Hi-Gate, Integrat, Java, Mobile Games, SkillPod Media, smartphone, Wifi
Posted in Media, News from the Group, Offical Press Releases

Dimension Data and Convergence Partners Foundation donate school e-learning centre in Limpopo

June 10th, 2010 | admin

Dimension Data and Convergence Partners Foundation has extended their e-learning program into the Limpopo Province, by establishing an e-learning centre at the Hudson Ntsanwisi School, over the weekend.

Posted in Media, News from the Group, Offical Press Releases

Integrat launches innovative myTXT Mobile product – a free desktop bulk messaging application ideal for marketing campaigns

June 10th, 2010 | admin

Integrat has launched myTXT Mobile product – a free desktop bulk messaging application ideal for marketing campaigns. myTXT allows a user to send single messages or bulk SMSes to your group of contacts that you import from Microsoft Outlook.

Tags: application, bulk messaging, Corrie Henn, desktop, Integrat, mobile, myTXT, SMS
Posted in Media, News from the Group

Convergence Partners gets into the fever of the soccer world cup and supports Bafana Bafana 100% – Ke Nako

June 4th, 2010 | admin

Convergence Partners gets into the fever of the soccer world cup and supports Bafana Bafana 100% – Ke Nako. Ever since its announcement as host nation on the 15th of May 2004, the country has been busy preparing itself to host thousands of players and supporters from all over the world. Convergence Partners has been counting down the days and is 100% behind Bafana Bafana.

Tags: Bafana Bafana, South Africa, world cup
Posted in Media, News from the Group

Meet Bertrand Knopf: Managing Director, Gemalto Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd

May 27th, 2010 | admin

The second instalment in our regular feature to introduce key executives from across the Convergence Partners investment portfolio. Bertrand is the Managing Director of Gemalto Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd. Gemalto is the global leader in digital security, providing secure personal devices, platforms and services to governments, organisations and businesses.

Tags: Bertrand Knopf, digital security, Gemalto, Government, Managing Director, Operations, Secure Transactions, Telecommunications
Posted in Media, News from the Group, Research

Convergence Partners Chairman, Andile Ngcaba, participates in IEEE 2010 flagship conference, held for the first time in Africa

May 25th, 2010 | admin

The IEEE Communications Society is holding its 2010 flagship conference International Communications Conference (ICC2010) in Cape Town, South Africa from 23-27 May 2010. This is the first time that ICC has been held in Africa. The conference theme is “Communications: Accelerating Growth and Development” and aims to focus on the role that Communications is playing in this development. Andile Ngcaba, Chairman of Convergence Partners, participated on the business panel after the keynote address by the Minister of Science and Technology.

Tags: African communications, Andile Ngcaba, communications, ICC 2010, IEEE, infrastructure, standardisation
Posted in Media, News from the Group

Convergence and FSSA provide computer lab to Mogwase School in conjunction with FIFA football pitch

May 13th, 2010 | admin

Convergence and FSSA provide computer lab to Mogwase School in conjunction with FIFA football pitch. In conjunction with the opening of the new FIFA football pitch in Mogwase, North West Province, the Foundation for a Safer South Africa (FSSA) installed the first of its planned youth zone computer centres. Convergence Partners is proud to have assisted FSSA in the first of its remarkable endeavours to uplift the youth of rural communities through a combination of football, computer literacy and life skills.