The African Leadership University and GE Africa announced this week the launch of the ALU Africa Industrial Internet Program.
Powered by GE, the program combines the best of GE’s technical expertise with ALU’s unique learning model in a 12-month professional training program that merges the essential business and technical skills necessary for African professionals to succeed in a digital industrial environment.
The program begins in January 2018.
The AIIP employs a blended learning model to participants with a mix of online learning and periodic 3-5 day in-person intensives to be held at the GE Africa Innovation Centre in Johannesburg.
This approach provides flexibility to participants enabling them to learn from industry experts, and at the same time, immediately apply what they learn in the program in their daily jobs. The program includes hands-on training on artificial intelligence and machine learning with ALU’s unique entrepreneurial leadership program to prepare professionals for leadership roles entrepreneurial, technology driven work environments.
Participants will work with best-in-class technology including GE’s pioneer platform for the Industrial Internet – Predix to build applications that can solve complex problems for industrial companies. Participants will be taught by industry practitioners who bring in years of experience in their fields.
Reinstating GE’s commitment to Africa, Roti Balogun, Director, Learning & Development, GE Africa said, “It’s an exciting period for us to take the lead in building digital industrial capabilities on the continent with this game-changing program. Our focus on the key recommendations from the World Economic Forum on the Future of Work, and this great partnership with the ALU, will no doubt continue to strengthen education systems with closer ties to industry across Africa. We remain committed to developing the next generation of leaders in this transformative digital age”.
Commenting on the launch of the program, ALU Founder and CEO, Fred Swaniker stated “We are delighted to partner with GE to offer a program that holistically prepares current and future professionals to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence in building their businesses, creating jobs and transforming lives. GE’s commitment to innovation and technology transfer in Africa resonates with ALU’s vision to harness technology and innovation to leapfrog Africa’s economic transformation.”
SA Government Invests In Missions To Help Companies Create Jobs – Ambassador Sibanda-Thusi
The South African Ambassador to Russia, Nomasonto Sibanda-Thusi says the South African government invests in international trade and investment missions in order to assist companies contribute in creating much-needed jobs for the country’s people. Sibanda-Thusi was addressing a group of South African businesspeople on the last day of the Investment and Trade Initiative (ITI) to Novosibirsk, Russia.
The purpose of the mission, which was organised and funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) was to increase exports of agro-processing and clothing and textile products, as well as built environment and capital equipment goods, and services to the Russian market. Twenty companies participated in the mission, which started on Tuesday.
“As representatives of the government of South Africa we are entrusted with the task of enhancing political and economic relations between the countries we are posted in and South Africa. Our task is to promote cordial mutual bilateral relations that will enable us to position South Africa as a country of choice for bilateral trade and investment. It is the symbiosis between our political and economic relations that opens doors for our companies to engage in two-way trade and investment activities,” said Sibanda-Thusi.
She added that the SA government invests in trade and investment missions because companies that participate in these missions are able to contribute in growing the economy of South Africa and creating jobs that the country needs very much.
“”We identify markets where opportunities exist for the South African value-added products in particular, to be exported to. Once the companies find new export markets for their products, they increase their production which assists in saving jobs, and creating new job opportunities. That is the reason why we as government invest in these missions because their positive impact on our economy is far-reaching,” added Sibanda-Thusi.
Businesspeople who are in the agro-processing, and clothing and textile sectors spent the last day of the ITI visiting two supermarkets with the aim of identifying opportunities of supplying them with products from South Africa. The group operating in the built environment visited a local techno park and held a meeting with the city’s construction councillor.
Three Key SAfrican State-owned Companies Gets New Chief Executives – Public Enterprises Minister
Public Enterprises Minister, Lynne Brown on Thursday, confirmed senior appointments at three state-owned companies (SOCs).
A day after Finance Minister, Malusi Gigaba in his medium-term budget policy statement speech to Parliament warned that state-owned enterprises posed the biggest risk to South Africa’s economy, Brown announced appointments of executive directors at Denel, Safcol and Alexkor.
In a statement, Brown’s office said the appointments were approved by Cabinet on October 18.
“The executives are appointed as ex officio members of the companies’ respective Boards of Directors, on five year contracts subject to annual performance reviews,” the statement said.
“Stable leadership is critical to the implementation of short to medium-term plans to improve SOC sustainability and their impact on the economy.”
Zwelakhe Ntshepe, who has been acting as group chief executive, was permanently appointed to the position while Odwa Mhlwana was confirmed as the new group chief financial officer.
Denel is South Africa’s state-owned arms manufacturer.
“Denel plays a significant role in industrial growth through its development of key defence technologies, manufacturing and maintenance activities, well-defined infrastructure and strong human capital.”
Ntshepe holds a Masters in Business Administration degree while Mhlwana is a chartered accountant.
The South African Forestry Company (Safcol) has a new chief executive in Tsepo Monaheng .
Monaheng has a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Physics and Mathematics, a BSc in electronic engineering and a Master in Business Administration.
“Safcol plays a catalytic role in the realisation of the State’s afforestation, rural development and economic transformation goals.”
Lemogang Pitsoe was confirmed as the new chief executive of Alexkor. Adila Chowan is the state-owned diamond miner’s new chief financial officer.
Pitsoe hold a Master’s in Business Leadership (MBL) and a B-Tech Degree in Mining Engineering.
Chowan is a qualified chartered accountant.
“Alexkor’s core business is mining, specifically exploiting a large land-based diamond resource and extensive diamondiferous marine deposits,” said Brown.
“Alexkor, as a commercialised state asset, has significant strategic importance for the Namaqualand region. The appointment of new executives is vital to driving sustainable performance at Alexkor.”
