If the thought of being told to fly something up the flagpole, put on a record to see who dances or stir-fry things in the ideas wok makes you want to lose your lunch, you are not alone.



Jargon monoxide – a dangerous concoction of distasteful, pungent and sometimes colorful language – is seeping into workplaces to create nauseating conditions for those forced to inhale the noxious fumes.



Every workplace has its fair share of jargon, buzzwords, bizspeak and abbreviations.



Sometimes the language serves a useful purpose like condensing a complicated process into a single word or phrase to save time.



But when it slips out of the boss’ mouth once too often it is usually for the wrong reasons, which is when jargon monoxide poisoning takes place.



More and more workers have been “circling back” only to discover their boss’ misused business babble has created unnecessary “pain points”.&nbsp;



This has arisen from those in charge either failing to “bring to the table” some “fully baked”, “out-of-the-box thinking”, “putting lipstick on a pig” to camouflage the truth or disguising the fact they are simply not capable of doing the “heavy lifting”. &nbsp;



In other words, workers are being contaminated by jargon-mongering bosses who seem intent on using the latest cringeworthy cliches to hide the truth, cover up stuff-ups or obscure the fact they lack what it takes to get the job done.



It is necessary to “drill down”, “unpack” or “open the kimono” to get a “high-altitude view” on how workers are exposed to jargon monoxide on a daily basis.



The truth is many bosses allow gobbledygook to seep from their mouths and into the workplace to conceal the fact they are not “best of breed”: in other words, to obscure their ineptness.



So when “parking a project” rolls of your boss’ tongue, it probably means an initiative was an unmitigated disaster under their direction.



If the same boss suggests there has been a “wrong-siding of the demographic”, it is safe to assume their poor public relations caused customers to become extremely disgruntled.



Other bosses restrict their polluting ways to using buzzwords to disguise negative messages and, in doing so, compromise transparency.



Some bosses substitute the term “redundancy” with the likes of “trimming the fat”, “cutting capacity”, “delayering”, “downsizing”, “right-sizing”, “right-shoring” and “moving to an outsourced model” – all jargon used to make sacking staff sound more palatable than it actually is.&nbsp;



And you might have noticed how many bosses resort to “going forward” (or its close relation “moving forward”) when they have no clue about what they ought to do in the aftermath of a challenging situation like a pandemic, public relations nightmare or financial crisis but still need to say something.



“Going forward” conveys that an embattled boss is leading their people on a purposeful path to a brighter future.&nbsp;



Yet the overused phrase is ambiguous in relation to specific actions, timelines and accountability and could easily be substituted with “I don’t have a clue what to do next”.



Perhaps of more concern is the fact that at the very time we are trying to reduce spiralling levels of antagonistic behavior, bullying and harassment in our workplaces, some bosses poison their workplaces with newfangled aggressive office speak just to appear as part of the “in-crowd”.



Common phrases of aggression including “you smashed it”, “you are killing it” and “you crushed it” – somewhat ironically – are all buzzwords used to denote progress rather than destruction.



Think, too, about the impact on others of hearing the boss say “there is only one throat to choke”, the team is a “dysfunctional circular firing squad” or that you are a “decision sniper”.



Climbing the corporate ladder is often synonymous with losing the ability to speak or write clearly. The higher the climb, the greater the use of overblown language.



It should not be that way.



It might be time for all good bosses to “give 110 per cent”, “lean in” and take a closer “look under the bonnet” to get better “optics” on the impact of their poisonous prattle on those around them.



“At the end of the day” it is perhaps best to keep in mind that jargon monoxide is a language which can pollute and poison an otherwise healthy workplace.



For those in charge, do not let it loose. And for those lower down the “food chain” and at high risk of contamination, avoid breathing it in.



The writer and professor is CEO with the Australian Institute of Management Western Australia and a workplace and social affairs expert.

Co-workers having meeting with laptop in conference room

Time To Move The Needle On ‘Jargon Monoxide’ In Our Workplaces

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



Johnson &amp; Johnson is allowing Stop TB Partnership, a Switzerland-based nonprofit, to distribute a generic version of its tuberculosis drug SIRTURO, or bedaquiline, in low- and middle-income countries, a move that averts fears the drug will stay out of reach financially for many communities around the world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



Under an agreement announced Thursday, the nonprofit Global Drug Facility, an arm of Stop TB Partnership, will be able to tender, procure and supply generic versions of bedaquiline for most low- and middle-income countries, including countries where Johnson &amp; Johnson’s patents remain in effect.



This will allow the drug to be offered at much lower prices, expanding the amount of people who can afford it.



Brenda Waning, chief of Global Drug Facility, said in an interview with&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;this gives them the ability to sell generic versions of the drug in 44 countries—-including Mozambique, the Philippines and Zambia—-where, because of the patent, they wouldn’t otherwise be able to.



That’s in addition to 52 countries where they can already sell as Johnson &amp; Johnson’s patents expired there.



Waning said her and her colleagues have already coordinated with two Indian manufacturers, Lupin and Macleods, to produce the drug, and the organization will soon be accepting bids and selecting a primary and secondary manufacturer, adding that “everything is already in place.”



However, Johnson &amp; Johnson previously established&nbsp;<a href="https://pharmstd.com/archivedetails_64_2747.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">an exclusive agreement</a>&nbsp;with Russian pharmaceutical company Pharmstandard in many countries, particularly in eastern Europe and Asia, meaning Stop TB Partnership won’t be able to offer the generic in those countries, but Waning said the company gave them access to “every low- and middle-income country they could.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



“In my knowledge, I can’t recall a similar deal to this,” Waning said, adding she hopes the deal will “set a model” for future arrangements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



Tuberculosis kills 1.5 million people every year, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/tuberculosis#tab=tab_1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the World Health Organization</a>. That makes it the world’s deadliest infectious disease and the 13th-leading cause of death globally. This is despite the fact that the disease is curable. Bedaquiline, which was first produced by Johnson &amp; Johnson with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7500616/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">help of hundreds of millions of dollars</a>&nbsp;from the U.S. government, was approved by the Food and Drug administration in 2012, and soon was distributed globally. As of 2023, Johnson &amp; Johnson still holds a patent on bedaquiline in many countries, preventing cheaper generic versions of the drug that many might be able to afford from entering the market (Johnson &amp; Johnson charges $272 for the total six-month course needed to treat tuberculosis, but&nbsp;<a href="https://academic.oup.com/jac/article/72/4/1243/2884272" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one study</a>&nbsp;published in 2017 estimated that if generics entered the market, the price would fall to somewhere between $48-$102). Johnson &amp; Johnson’s patent was set to expire July 18, but due to some legal maneuvering known as “evergreening,” where the company filed for a secondary patent, the company will maintain its exclusive right to sell the drug in many countries. This created fears, including from organizations like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.msfaccess.org/msf-demands-jj-give-its-patent-monopoly-tb-drug-put-lives-over-profits" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Doctors Without Borders</a>, that Johnson &amp; Johnson would keep the price of the drug too high for many low- and middle-income countries to afford, leading to unnecessary deaths from the disease. This deal averts some of those fears.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



The deal comes amid a pressure campaign from novelist and social media figure John Green, who had been publicly calling on Johnson &amp; Johnson to make the drug available as a generic prior to this deal’s announcement. In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMhgw5SW0h4&amp;t=4s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a scathing YouTube video</a>&nbsp;entitled “Barely Contained Rage: An Open Letter to Johnson &amp; Johnson” that received nearly 1 million views, Green called Johnson &amp; Johnson’s decision to extend its patent through evergreening “reprehensible and completely out of line with their credo” and encouraged his viewers to contact the company with their concerns. His followers also got #PatientsNotPatents briefly trending on Twitter. However, Green’s anger turned to elation when the deal was announced, telling&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;in a statement: &#8220;I am grateful to the Stop TB Partnership, TB activists everywhere, and to Johnson &amp; Johnson for living up to their corporate credo. They really are putting patients first with this decision, and should be commended for it.&#8221;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2023/03/06/breakthrough-for-tuberculosis-one-of-the-worlds-biggest-killers-as-new-vaccine-shows-promise-in-early-trials/?sh=90943f293f38">Breakthrough For Tuberculosis—One Of The World’s Biggest Killers—As New Vaccine Shows Promise In Early Trials</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/10/14/tuberculosis-deaths-are-rising-again-as-covid-pandemic-unravels-years-of-progress/?sh=3ca1d32f1ed3">Tuberculosis Deaths Are Rising Again As Covid Pandemic Unravels Years Of Progress</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/russellflannery/2023/06/15/gates-foundation-to-donate-50-million-partner-with-beijing-and-tsinghua-to-fight-infectious-disease/?sh=54e336f54465">Gates Foundation To Donate $50 Million, Partner With Beijing And Tsinghua To Fight Infectious Disease</a> (Forbes)

In this photo illustration a close up of a hand holding a

Johnson & Johnson Letting Nonprofit Distribute Life-Saving Generic Tuberculosis Drug—Greatly Expanding Access In Poorer Countries

Former The Apprentice star Samuel Brooksworth is capitalizing on the remote working revolution by getting young skilled people to work from Africa for organizations around the world.



The market for remote workplace services is set to grow from $20.1 billion in 2022 to $58.5 billion by 2027, according to a report by MarketsandMarkets, a sector research and growth advisory firm in the United States (US), and Samuel Brooksworth, the CEO and founder of Remoteli is here to seize it.



The savvy London-born Ghanaian businessman is also famous for being on The Apprentice reality TV series on BBC One in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2016.



He got to sell his ideas and display his sales skills, which he has been honing from a young age, on the show. He started young.



At university, with his twin brother Andrew, he revitalized the African &amp; Caribbean Society, growing it from just 15 members to over 600 people. They then went on to launch a t-shirt business, JC Range, featuring Christian-themed messages and sold at youth events and major gatherings across the UK.



Their t-shirts did well and they quickly realized they had a knack for sales. After graduation, Brooksworth joined Enterprise-Rent-A-Car, a UK car rental service where once again his skills were put to test.



“At Enterprise, there was a culture called Elite Club where the top sellers in the organization are [rewarded] for their hard work. In my first eight months at the organization, I made [it to the] top five consistently out of about 500 people in the region. To put this in context, most people only make the Elite Club once or twice every one or two years and some sales people have never made it to the club. So when I [accomplished] that, it put my name at the top of the organization and I got the attention of area managers and different regional individuals,” recalls Brooksworth.



It was not long after that his wife, an avid fan of The Apprentice, insisted he too apply for the show. He did, and a week later, he received the call. For Brooksworth, getting on the show was not to win. It was to leverage the platform to gain visibility for his latest business idea.



“I felt I got the exposure and after the show I was able to connect with people I didn’t have access to beforehand. When I went on the show, the business idea [I presented] was similar to what I am doing now. On the show, they rejected the business idea but years later it has actually become one of the most successful businesses of any candidate. It’s a beautiful moment that what they didn’t see has grown to be as big as it is now,” says Brooksworth.



It came with a lot of hard work.



In a 2019 article in The Guardian, he writes: “I was taught by my parents that I needed to work 10 times harder than my white friends in order to be seen as equal. As a child, this made no sense. I thought education was very black and white. If my answers were right, they were right; if they were wrong, they were wrong. Why then would I need to work harder just to receive the same grades?”



&nbsp;His big business opportunity came during the Covid-19 pandemic.



“I was speaking to various senior executives, business leaders and C-Suite individuals [about] the challenges during the pandemic and a lot of them were struggling. They were paying huge bills [for] offices that were empty,” says Brooksworth.



However, it was a trip to Ghana with his wife that solidified the idea for his business, Remoteli.



“There were so many young people who were unemployed but were sharp and on the ball. But when I spoke to the adults, they would say the young people are lazy and don’t want to learn. I thought that was not true, rather there were not enough opportunities and if you give them the skills, I believed that they would thrive.”



Brooksworth decided to get these skilled young people to work remotely in Ghana for organizations around the world.



His company, Remoteli, is a tech-led on-demand staffing organization providing remote workers for companies and individuals worldwide offering a range of services – from virtual assistants to web developers and social media managers. The company has not raised any money yet and has grown rapidly by bootstrapping and word-of-mouth referrals.



“We are helping combat the rising graduate unemployment rates in Africa by providing opportunities for unemployed youth,” says Brooksworth.



The organization has grown rapidly from two employees to over 100 staff and they are currently in the business hubs of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria.



The pandemic has changed the way organizations work forever and for Brooksworth, the time to capitalize on this is now and in doing so, he is making a tidy profit and helping fellow Ghanaians get high-paying jobs with global companies whilst working from the comfort of their homes in Africa.

41C0D4EE-8EAA-47D9-B205-851E156F7A6E

The Ghanaian Capitalizing On Remote Working

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



Some 56% of the world’s oceans have become greener over the last two decades, and it&#8217;s probably because of human-caused climate change, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02262-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a new study</a>&nbsp;published Wednesday in the journal&nbsp;Nature&nbsp;that could offer clues about how climate change is impacting the ocean’s ecosystem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



The researchers in the study used satellite imagery to detect changes in color across the ocean from 2002 to 2022, and found tropical areas near the equator, mostly between the latitudes of 40º south and 40º north, have steadily become greener.



The scientists said this discovery is surprising because they previously expected they’d need over 30 years of data to spot signs of climate change in the color of the oceans, but they were able to spot it with just 20 years’ worth.



There are many reasons the ocean might change color, but the researchers said year-to-year variability in the color of the oceans alone cannot explain such drastic changes.



The researchers were unable to identify exactly why the color was changing, but theorized it might have to do with how nutrients are distributed in the ocean—as the Earth becomes warmer, the upper layers of the ocean become more stratified, making it harder for nutrients, which feed green phytoplankton, to rise to the surface.



While they were unable to say the exact cause of the change, the scientists believe climate change is the driver of the change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



The color of the ocean is vital to understanding the broader ecosystem, said B. B. Cael, the study’s lead author and an ocean and climate scientist at the National Oceanography Centre in the U.K. “The reason we care about the colour is because the colour tells us something about what’s happening in the ecosystem,” Cael told&nbsp;Nature&nbsp;in a piece accompanying the study. The authors said the ocean’s color could affect phytoplankton populations by changing how much light enters the ocean. This ultimately could impact ocean biodiversity, fisheries and the ability of the ocean to store carbon, they concluded. “Our findings therefore might be of relevance for ocean conservation and governance,” they wrote in the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contra">CONTRA</h2>



The study’s authors caution that it&#8217;s still possible this change is the result of a big natural swing rather than climate change. They said they’ll need around 40 years of data to say conclusively that climate change is to blame.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



“We are affecting the ecosystem in a way that we haven’t seen before,” Cael, said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">WHAT TO WATCH FOR</h2>



The next big satellite mission to observe ocean color. The authors of the study said one of the challenges was that they had to use multiple different satellites that all measured ocean color in different ways. But an upcoming NASA satellite mission will offer more uniform measurement, helping researchers understand how climate change is impacting the oceans. Set to launch in January 2024, this new satellite will use “hyperspectral” imaging to observe ocean color, which will allow it to see more wavelengths than any previous satellite.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06321-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global climate-change trends detected in indicators of ocean ecology</a>&nbsp;(Nature)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/06/13/montana-youth-sue-state-over-climate-change-policies/?sh=6b88471a7d7c">Montana Youth Sue State Over Climate Change Policies</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/willskipworth/2023/07/04/july-3-earth-experiences-hottest-day-on-record/?sh=3b933a0c2d96">July 3: Earth Experiences Hottest Day On Record</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/07/05/july-4-was-earths-hottest-day-in-over-100000-years-breaking-record-for-2nd-day-in-a-row/?sh=103ce7667dd9">July 4 Was Earth’s Hottest Day In Over 100,000 Years—Breaking Record For 2nd Day In A Row</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/06/26/why-sriracha-prices-are-surging-and-why-climate-change-might-have-something-to-do-with-it/?sh=cf645447ab12">Why Sriracha Prices Are Surging, And Why Climate Change Might Have Something To Do With It </a>(Forbes)

Aerial View of the sunrise colors reflecting on the blue ocean with a single surfer

Climate Change Is Likely Changing Color Of Oceans, Scientists Say—Here’s Why It Matters

The second session of the United Nations (UN) Habitat Assembly was held at the UN-Habitat headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, recently, under the theme A sustainable urban future through inclusive and effective multilateralism: achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in times of global crises. Saudi royal, Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud, the Secretary-General of Alwaleed Philanthropies and Goodwill Ambassador for UN-Habitat in the Arab region, was also present as she spoke to FORBES AFRICA about social and affordable housing on the continent as well as the role of philanthropy in economic development.



You were recently reappointed as Goodwill Ambassador to UN-Habitat, what does your role entail?



I work closely with UN-Habitat to advocate for sustainable urbanization, and to help address urban challenges and their implications on societies, economies, and environments in the Arab world. Obviously, a component of this is funding and resources, however, through Alwaleed Philanthropies, we see our role as a facilitator and convenor to sustainable change. In practice, this means leveraging our influence to connect governments, organizations, and communities to each other, and working with our partners to bring concrete solutions; something I will be continuing to do in my role as Goodwill Ambassador to UN-Habitat for the Arab Region.



I would also just add that with our global population continuing to grow, it’s critical that we take the steps necessary to ensure that all people are able to live in safe and sustainable settlements, which is why it is a privilege to be able to help advance UN-Habitat’s agenda and work towards delivering SDG11: sustainable cities and communities.



What are the highlights of your partnership with UN-Habitat?



The four-year partnership between Alwaleed Philanthropies and UN-Habitat has helped to advance the discussion on sustainable urbanization in the Middle East and demonstrate why it is so important for the region’s development agenda. And in doing so, we have seen a significant increase in resource mobilization and targeted, sustainable humanitarian support that has helped to create more resilient societies throughout the region.



I’m incredibly proud of every project we have been able to work on with UN-Habitat during this partnership, but some notable achievements that spring to mind are rehabilitating damaged housing and improving living conditions for 4,000 families of internally-displaced people in Yemen; upgrading seven health facilities’ water and sanitation capabilities in conflict-affected Iraq; and providing 25,000 people with water, sanitation and hygiene facilities during the Covid-19 pandemic in Sudan.



These are just a few of this partnership’s far-reaching impacts and we look forward to continuing to help deliver SDG11 and address the key challenges that many of the most vulnerable face today.



As Africa pursues goals towards affordable housing, what would you describe as ‘proper housing’?



Our belief is that ‘proper housing’ is about more than just a roof, it is an opportunity to better the lives and futures of people – housing is a precondition for access to employment, education, health, and social services – and it must be accompanied by the necessary infrastructure including water and waste management and sanitation services.



I firmly believe that the provision of this sort of housing is a basic human right and as the African continent continues on its development journey, it is critical that this forms part of it.



Through your experiences, what key lessons were learned through the process that other African countries can emulate to deliver social and affordable housing?



An important lesson that came out of our projects was the need to collaborate with relevant stakeholders. It is through pooling resources and expertise that we can overcome global challenges, which is why we partner with many of the world’s leading organizations. Involving authorities to explain our projects’ objectives and agree on the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder is particularly relevant to deliver adequate housing.



We also understand that for a project to have lasting, sustainable impact you cannot just drop the money and run – you must be in it for the long haul. This is why we work with communities to develop different tailored solutions to their most pressing challenges, from gender mainstreaming adaptation to community-based and self-help housing. Our vision of resilience cannot be met without investing in social transformation.



What are some of your housing projects in Africa?



We have a long history of supporting projects in Africa, to help address the Covid-19 pandemic which had such a devastating impact on the continent. However, when it comes to housing, our flagship project on the continent is undoubtedly the Nubian Vault. The project has helped to provide both housing and job opportunities in Burkina Faso, Mali, Benin, Ghana, and Senegal, by training young people to build Nubian houses. As a result of this partnership, families are now living in healthier houses and local revenue was generated and reinvested in the local economy, with 13,900 project beneficiaries.



What do you see as the role of philanthropy in development and how can partnerships work better towards the SDGs?



We truly believe that philanthropy is an integral part of the development landscape and is helping to address some of the world’s most complex challenges. There is the funding that philanthropic organizations provide; however, effective philanthropy is about so much more than the provision of funds. We adopt a humanity-first approach to philanthropy which is grounded in an understanding that to make a sustainable, long-lasting impact, the interests and needs of beneficiaries must be the foundation of everything we do. And this means actually taking the time to work with beneficiaries throughout the project lifecycle to ensure we maximize its impact and deliver solutions that will stand the test of time.



When it comes to delivering the SDGs, we have seen first-hand the positive impact that partnerships can have on accelerating development. And it is important that organizations within the philanthropic sector do not lose sight of the value of these partnerships and continue to look to work with stakeholders from a variety of sectors – from governments to development organizations – to help many of the most vulnerable meet the SDGs.



What does Africa portend to Alwaleed, anything in the pipeline?



We have multiple projects in Africa and are keen to expand our support on the continent. We obviously have the aforementioned Nubian Vault project, whilst during the Covid-19 pandemic, we partnered with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation to support 10 countries in their efforts to address the repercussions of the pandemic – these included Niger, Senegal, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Nigeria, Sudan, Mauritania and Cote d’Ivoire. Similarly, in partnership with the Carter Center for Global Alliance to combat the spread of guinea worm disease in Angola, Cameroon, Chad, South Sudan and Ethiopia, we reached 1 million people and participated in the drop of cases, approaching the goal of global eradication.



Of course, there is always more to be done, and we are constantly in conversations with potential partners – many of whom are based in Africa – to explore ways of combatting some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Princess Lamia; image supplied

Princess Lamia: From Affordable Housing To Philanthropy In Africa

<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-nomhle-mliswafounder-and-ceo-summerhill-farmzimbabwe">Nomhle Mliswa Founder and CEO, Summerhill Farm Zimbabwe</h4>



Farming is not for the fainthearted,” Nomhle Mliswa says to FORBES AFRICA in the middle of her harvesting season. Mliswa founded Summerhill Farm in 2007, a 345-hectare farm located in Doma, Mhangura, in the Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe. She employs 350 people, two-thirds of which are women. She offers one of the few tillage services in Zimbabwe providing tilling for other farmers.



The mixed farming includes small grain crops, maize, soya beans, potatoes, wheat, cattle, chicken, and goats. Mliswa uses smart agriculture practices: precision farming, a zero-waste policy based on a Just in Time strategy that ensures the swift delivery of goods and land profiling to ensure mitigation and adaption, water harvesting, storage and drilled boreholes.



Summerhill Farm adheres to Sustainable Development Goals, namely SDG 13 on Climate Action, Environmental Management and Conservation, as well as employment structure informed by SDG 5 on gender equality, offering equitable practices for both male and female employees.



Employees also get sanitation and decent housing, informed by SDG 6.



Mliswa has established a local school for young children and a clinic within Summerhill Farm, in line with SDGs 3 and 4. This allows the women to work and maintain their families. The farm also has a shop for employees, sponsored ball games for the community, and employees are given potato and chicken rations, in line with SDG 1 and 3.



There is a Climate Desk, assisting local farmers with critical weather information. And Mliswa does not shy away from further CSR–the farm assists with repairing local road networks and bridges.



Summerhill Farm is run by a single mother with a spinal injury–but neither of these things has held Mliswa back in creating a successful diversified farm using smart agriculture. She wants to do more for preserving the environment, implementing mitigation measures, creating awareness with women on global warming, and hosting more educational tours for schoolchildren.

Nomhle Mliswa

‘Not For The Fainthearted’: A Zimbabwean Agriculturalist’s Journey

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



As it makes headlines for its startup golf tour merging with the PGA and its huge international investment spree, Saudi Arabia’s controversial Public Investment Fund reported $11 billion in losses in 2022, according to Bloomberg—a year in which the Saudi fund launched a new sports investing venture and stock markets slipped.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



Last year’s numbers are a far cry from 2021, when PIF reported a profit of $19 billion.



PIF did not report what return it made on its accounts in 2022, but global markets saw significant declines, with the S&amp;P 500 losing 19.4%—the worst year since 2008.



In 2022, PIF launched the Sports Investment Company as a spinoff of its sports properties that will invest in sports domestically and internationally.



PIF’s assets ended the year at about $778 billion, according to Bloomberg.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-news-peg">NEWS PEG</h2>



The Sports Investment Company’s properties include the LIV Golf tour, which used the promise of massive winnings to lure major golfers toward its events, setting off a legal conflict with the PGA Tour until the two entities announced plans to merge last month. During a congressional hearing Tuesday, PGA Tour officials&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/07/11/pga-tour-liv-hearing-senate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">acknowledged</a>&nbsp;the merger involved an investment from PIF “north of $1 billion.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



PIF is the national sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. Since 2016, it has invested both domestically and internationally with money gained mostly from tapping into the country’s oil deposits. That includes launching 79 companies, including Riyadh Air, and investing in a number of international companies, including $3.3 billion worth of Activision Blizzard shares—which jumped in price Tuesday morning after a legal hurdle was cleared to merge with Microsoft—and $2.3 billion in Uber shares. In addition to its moves in golf, the fund has used its wealth to gain a foothold in the international soccer world. That includes a £305 million—$414.8 million—takeover of English soccer club Newcastle United and a deal to bring Portuguese superstar Christiano Ronaldo to Saudi club Al Nassr, which is backed by a subsidiary of PIF.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



LIV Golf’s blockbuster merger with the PGA was put under the spotlight in Washington, D.C., Tuesday as lawmakers grilled PGA officials during a congressional hearing about the deal that made it happen. Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/07/11/pga-tour-liv-hearing-senate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) told</a>&nbsp;a group of PGA executives the deal gives the Saudi government “financial dominance” because they “control the purse strings.” Much of the controversy around the merger stems from accusations Saudi Arabia is using sports to distract from record human rights abuses. LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman has faced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/01/21/liv-golf-ceo-greg-norman-saudi-arabia-mistakes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">repeated</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/3821912-liv-golf-ceo-on-saudi-arabian-killing-of-khashoggi-look-i-think-everybody-learns-from-their-mistakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">questions</a>&nbsp;about the killing of American journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi officials. Additionally, a coalition of families that lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks have released&nbsp;<a href="https://911familiesunited.org/9-11-families-united-statement-on-pga-merging-with-saudi-backed-liv-golf-tour/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a statement</a>&nbsp;condemning the merger, calling it “sportswashing” to distract from the fact that “Saudi operatives played a role in the 9/11 terrorist attacks” (most of the 9/11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, but the country’s government has long denied any ties to the attackers).



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-11/saudi-wealth-fund-reports-11-billion-investment-loss-for-2022?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&amp;utm_content=business&amp;cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saudi Wealth Fund Reports $11 Billion Investment Loss for 2022</a>&nbsp;(Bloomberg)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/anafaguy/2023/06/06/pga-tour-and-saudi-backed-liv-golf-agree-to-merge/?sh=48eede716b22">PGA Tour And Saudi-Backed LIV Golf Agree To Sudden Merger</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/06/21/pga-liv-leaders-called-to-testify-before-congress-over-historic-merger/?sh=575c6146ad13">PGA, LIV Leaders Called To Testify Before Congress Over Historic Merger</a> (Forbes)

Tourism in Saudi Arabia at AlUla Ancient Site

Saudi Public Investment Fund Reports $11 Billion In 2022 Losses—But Sports Investments Might Not Be To Blame

We all live and we all die, what makes us different are the things we do and the impact of our actions on the world. When it comes to the human mindset, we only think in terms of human-dominated ecosystems. However, with the climate crisis now upon us, the environment is everybody’s business, especially for those in business.



For entrepreneurs and industrialists, the time has come to not just reflect but to put into meaningful action the values that drive work. It is time to think about impact not just on our species but the world in its entirety, to create entrepreneurship beyond the terminology of just buying and selling, and to truly understand that profit is an output, not a purpose.



Research suggests that companies that struggle to answer the purpose question, or that answer it only in terms of the hard metrics of profit, market share and shareholder returns are most likely to encounter lower employee engagement, higher turnover, an uninspiring work culture, and lack of respect for the environment and communities they operate in. This is irrespective of whether the company has prestige, market dominance or great potential for growth.



As per the Climate Risk Country Profiles developed by the World Bank Group, Nepal, where I live, and South Africa, both share climate vulnerabilities.



Nepal is experiencing changes in temperature and precipitation at a faster rate than the global average. From the loss of lives to the loss of livelihoods, natural hazards in different parts of the country put people and ecosystems in distress year after year.



What does climate risk really mean and how does it affect us? Climate risk is commonly defined as extreme changes in weather, floods, disasters, rising sea levels, erosion, biodiversity loss etc. Why does it matter is simple–because people suffer due to these risks, it changes how we live, it changes our health, our livelihoods, our environment.



And where do businesses factor in? The opening statement of a PricewaterhouseCoopers article reads: “The race for net zero has captured the imagination of countries and companies alike. And not a moment too soon: the latest report from the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change finds that greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) must peak no later than 2025 to avoid the most dangerous and irreversible effects of climate change.”



It goes on to state that companies are not paying enough attention to their decarbonization commitments. Citing what businesses can lose, the report gives the example of how extreme weather events can cost a business conglomerate several hundred million dollars as soon as 2030 due to supply chain disruption. The examples are many and eye-opening. Businesses are forced to give due consideration to reports and articles such as these not just for the financial implications on their operations but also because governments around the world are aligned to the Net Zero Commitment including the top polluters– the US, China, EU and India.



The private sector does have a crucial role in fighting climate change. From reducing the carbon footprint of their product to cultivating climateconscious practices at work, businesses need to tackle their climate and social impact.



Consumers must commit to eating, traveling, living and shopping more mindfully. 



Governments must pledge to tangible actions that go beyond policy discourse and debates. Even as the world feels increasingly complex and unpredictable, meaningful action is needed to maintain a natural balance in how we use our resources and treat the world we inhabit. 



Climate change then is not just an ecological, environmental, social or economic issue, it is really about our personal ethics and the choices we make from moment to moment.



We do not have another planet to move to, what then do we choose for our children and the generations to come?



The writer-photographer from Nepal who keeps the values of freedom and compassion at the core of her work

Businesswoman giving presentation in board room

‘The Environment Is Everybody’s Business, Especially For Those In Business’

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



EA Sports dropped its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vL01jbgENE&amp;t=84s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announcement trailer</a>&nbsp;Monday for FC 24, the first soccer video game from the publisher after it did not reach a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/05/10/ea-sports-loses-rights-to-fifa-brand-for-soccer-video-games-after-talks-fail-with-soccers-governing-body/?sh=615ba986449e">licensing agreement</a>&nbsp;with FIFA, the world soccer governing body, last year—ending the extremely popular FIFA-branded soccer video game series.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



The rebrand to EA Sports FC was announced last May when FIFA and EA Sports did not reach a licensing agreement, which marked the end of the entities’ nearly 30-year partnership.



In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ea.com/news/ea-sports-fc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>&nbsp;to fans last year, EA Sports said its soccer video game would remain the same following the rebrand—a claim backed by the brand’s more than 300 licensing agreements with clubs and leagues internationally.



During contentious negotiations, FIFA asked for at least double the annual $150 million it would receive from EA Sports, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/10/sports/soccer/fifa-ea-sports.html?smid=tw-nytimes&amp;smtyp=cur" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Times</a>.



<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vL01jbgENE&amp;t=84s" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The trailer</a>, narrated by British actor Daniel Kaluuya, featured pre-rendered footage of men’s and women’s soccer stars of past and present interacting with each other in locker rooms and a tunnel.



The trailer concluded with a note that a full gameplay trailer will be released Thursday.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



At least two years of negotiations transpired over renewing the contract that allowed EA Sports to use FIFA’s name for its yearly soccer video game. EA Sports was FIFA’s largest commercial partner before the breakup. EA spokesman Eric Escaravage told&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;last year the decision to split from FIFA was an “amicable” one, and the gamemaker was thankful to FIFA for its years of partnership. The final installment of the franchise, FIFA 23, is one of the series’ top-selling games. From the start of the year to the end of May, FIFA 23 was the eighth-best-selling game in the world, beating other sports video games such as Madden NFL 23 and NBA 2K23,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MatPiscatella/status/1673681359842480134/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to Circana</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h2>



More than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/13/sports/soccer/ea-sports-fifa.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$20 billion</a>. That’s the amount FIFA video games generated in sales during the last 20 years, according to the&nbsp;Times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">WHAT TO WATCH FOR</h2>



It remains to be seen if and how the rebrand from FIFA to FC will impact sales for EA Sports. If things remain largely unchanged, FC will likely continue to keep up EA’s streak of publishing and developing one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/05/10/ea-sports-loses-rights-to-fifa-brand-for-soccer-video-games-after-talks-fail-with-soccers-governing-body/?sh=615ba986449e">EA Sports Loses Rights To ‘FIFA’ Brand For Soccer Video Games After Talks Fail With Soccer’s Governing Body</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/10/sports/soccer/fifa-ea-sports.html?smid=tw-nytimes&amp;smtyp=cur" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIFA and EA Sports End Decades-Long Video Game Partnership</a> (New York Times)

FIFA 23 Photo Illustrations

EA Sports Unveils Rebranded Soccer Video Game FC 24—Its First Without ‘FIFA’ Branding

Kojo Anim, a name to reckon with in the UK comedy club scene, says he has a new autobiography about to be launched, as we meet up with him in his new base in Los Angeles.



The world of stand-up comedy is not for the faint-hearted. One has to master the ability to perform under high pressure armed with original material, ensuring your audience is laughing every minute the entire duration of your set.



Sadly, the compensation most stand-up comedians receive for many years of their career is barely enough to make ends meet, but for the lucky few who have made it to superstardom such as Eddie Murphy, Kevin Hart, Chris Rock or Dave Chappelle.



It takes grit, persistence and most importantly, talent, to be able to compete at the highest level of this game and for Kojo Anim, popularly known by his stage moniker, ‘Kojo the Comedian’, this is what he always dreamed of ever since he decided to drop out of university almost three decades ago.



His story was one of overcoming impossible odds. By age five, Anim and his sister had to move into a foster home. Anim recalls the early years as we sit down in a restaurant in the middle of Beverly Hills in Los Angeles for our chat.



As he ponders his move to Hollywood, one sentiment dominates.



“You know I have been self-employed for 25 years? I was thinking about it the other day and I had to pat myself on the back because I have been able to support myself, my family, travel and do everything through just comedy.”



And he is right. Not many comedians make it past their first decade as a professional let alone achieve some of the impressive milestones Anim has under his belt.



And it almost didn’t happen.



Foster care opened Anim up to the promise of a brighter future. The plan at that time was to go to university and then move into sports science because he loved football and if that failed, he would become a teacher. However, a summer in the United States (US) proved to be the catalyst that would set him on an entirely new course.



“I went to the US for a program called Camp America in the summer. My mum was living there at the time so it was an excuse to go there. On the weekend, I got into comedy watching Martin Lawrence on TV and I fell in love with what he was doing. I saw him on stage and he was making people laugh and I knew from then that this is what I wanted to do. I had never laughed more honestly in my life apart from that moment. I felt like my life was about to change,” says Anim.



When he returned to the United Kingdom (UK), Anim was a changed man. He joined a comedy workshop for about two months to hone his skills and then hit the comedy clubs to cut his teeth in the unforgiving world of stand-up. And he has not looked back since.



His journey from that point has been one of many firsts. He was one of the first Africans with his own prime-time radio and TV show in the UK, the first black British comedian to join the cast of MTV’s biggest comedy improv show, Wild ‘N Out, as well as one of the pioneers of the UK weekly comedy club scene.



“In the US, they were doing stand-ups in comedy clubs every Sunday at the Boston Comedy Club and I said ‘why don’t we have this in the UK’? We only had one big show every three months and I said we need something regular every week in the UK.”



The UK versions were held at local night clubs every Sunday and Anim invited some of the biggest up-and-coming comedians at the time like Hart and Chapelle to perform alongside some of the best in the UK. His audience grew rapidly from 90 people to over 300 each night and for the next eight years, Anim dominated the UK comedy scene.



However, things took a turn for the worse. In an industry where relationships are key, a series of unfortunate events including a movie which took nine years to get off the ground, had a negative impact on Anim’s brand on account of the finance for the project falling through and as a result, nobody, including Anim, who was the writer of the project, got paid.



“That business fell apart and that is when I met my son’s mum and that was my hiding place. So, I started posting videos online. She was my escape, my hiding place and the person that helped me get up a little bit. That film really damaged me. But my mum said I should let it go because the size of the loss is the size of the gain. I had to get rid of it and do a lot of therapy to recover,” says Anim.



The setback stifled Anim’s growth and the once-promising comedian fell on hard times. But through it all, he never lost his resilience and persistence. The light at the end of the tunnel came in 2018 when the Britain’s Got Talent team reached out to Anim to participate in the program.



He was suddenly faced with a very tough decision.



“I had only £30 ($40) in my bank when I did the audition. I was thinking ‘how do I get to the show’. I was like ‘I took a risk coming here’. I was on Wild ‘N Out, I had my own radio show on Capital XTRA and I’ve done all these things, why am I on Britain’s Got Talent? People thought I should be a judge. But I realize if you act like you are somewhere you are not, how can people help you?”



He won the coveted Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell on his first audition for the show and that catapulted Anim again back to comedic superstardom.



“That was the most vulnerable I’ve ever been because it was about I can let myself down but I can never let my son down. Never, it’s impossible, so don’t act like you are bigger than the opportunity, I had to humble myself. This was a chance to be the new guy again but with 20 years’ experience and that is what rose me back up to the surface.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



Following his success, he lined up a string of comedy tours across the UK until Covid-19 shut everything down.



Off the back of that momentum, he sits in Hollywood today with a new autobiography about to be launched as well as opening up for Chappelle while waiting patiently to dominate Hollywood and leave his unique mark once again.

Kojo Anim, image supplied

On All the Laughs And More: Ghana’s Kojo The Comedian

There are 600 million smallholder farmers around the world working on less than two hectares of land. These farmers are estimated to produce 28%-31% of total crop production and 30%-34% of food supply on 24% of gross agricultural area.



The most-funded sector on the continent, according to TechCrunch, is fintech. Unfortunately, reports, experts and our profiles tell us a story of how difficult it is to source venture capital funding on the continent for agriculture.



“The answer to that is quite straightforward,” says Dr Mandla Mpofu, the Managing Director of Omnia’s Agriculture Division. “It’s the risk of the business.” 



The pressure on Africa’s food supply will require substantial investment to guarantee food security, as Africa remains the only region yet to experience a Green Revolution. Most of this will come from private investment.



Venture capital firm AgFunder attested that African farming stands out for drawing in a low volume of venture capital investment.



At the moment, the continent is experiencing the fastest rate of population growth in the world.



Consequently, food demand is growing rapidly as well.



However, as the continent with the youngest population in the world, the 2022 Africa AgriFoodTech Investment Report says it attracted less than 1% of all venture capital spending onagriculture—just $482 million compared to the nearly $52 billion raised globally.



The figure for the entire continent is about the same as the public sector agricultural research budget of Nigeria or South Africa. Far too many potential food and agriculture investors still overlook opportunities in Africa.



“There are more and more funding opportunities coming up,” says Bosire, who bootstrapped his business. “But what I really think we need to focus on at the moment is look into Africa as a place of opportunity for investment.



Because agritech in other developed markets is really receiving a lot of funding but it&#8217;s not the case in Africa. So, I believe that with more sensitization of global investors to see Africa as an opportunity to also invest in agritech is really going to help us.”



Investment volumes were negligible just a decade ago, according to reports, but thankfully have grown as investments more than doubled from 2020 to 2021.



They seem set to nearly double again.



“Investing in 2022 got off to a roaring start, with startups raising roughly $400 million in the first half of the year—more than 80% of what was raised in all of 2021,” the AgriFoodTech Investment Report reads.



While 40% of the agricultural workforce (some 440 million workers) is in waged employment; the other 60% are self-employed as farmers, mainly as small scale farmers (Fyfe 2002). 



But why is the uptake slow?



“You have heard the jokes such as if you&#8217;re going to get broke very fast, you either start a farm or buy an airline,” Mpofu laughs. “And everything&#8217;s going to go south. But that&#8217;s exactly why you need more predictive tools in the business, which is why you would need agtech so that you&#8217;re bankable in the industry.”



But there are also reports that interest in funding African farming by venture capital groups spiked last year and is on track to continue expanding aggressively this year.



“I almost feel like this agtech space was made for agriculture,” Dr Agnes Kalibata says. “I was looking at how much money has been invested in this space. About two to three years ago, this was about a $17 billion industry, you know, and growing very fast. Now, actually it is projected that by 2025 to be a trillion dollar industry… There is no reason why most of it should not becoming to Africa.”

Shot of an unrecognisable woman using a digital tablet while working on a farm

Money Does Not Grow On Trees: African Farming Draws Low Volume Of Venture Capital Investments

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



Instagram lead Adam Mosseri said in two&nbsp;<a href="https://www.threads.net/t/CuZ6opKtHva/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Threads posts</a>&nbsp;Friday that the new app would not encourage “politics and hard news” on its platform, a far cry from the promoted political content found on its rival platform Twitter.



The announcement of the social media app Threads is displayed in Apple&#8217;s US App Store. (Photo by&nbsp;&#8230; [+]DPA/PICTURE ALLIANCE VIA GETTY IMAGES



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



Mosseri said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.threads.net/t/CuZ6opKtHva/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Threads conversation</a>&nbsp;that the new platform will inevitably contain politics and hard news, but that Threads is “not going to do anything to encourage those verticals,”—an approach adopted by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/10/technology/facebook-reduces-politics-feeds.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook in 2021</a>.



Mosseri noted that the engagement or revenue such content might drive is not worth the scrutiny, negativity or integrity risks they present to the platform.



“The goal isn’t to replace Twitter,” Mosseri added, referencing the rival platform that has greatly encouraged political content and hosted live audio conversations featuring former Twitter CEO Elon Musk and GOP&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/05/23/desantis-launching-presidential-run-wednesday-in-event-with-elon-musk-report-says/?sh=75de68619294">presidential</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/musk-hosts-twitter-event-anti-vaxx-democratic-candidate-rfk-jr-2023-06-05/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">candidates</a>.



Both Meta and Twitter allow users to pay to be verified on their respective platforms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



“The goal isn&#8217;t to replace Twitter,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.threads.net/t/CuZ3LjhNl0m/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mosseri said</a>. “The goal is to create a public square for communities on Instagram that never really embraced Twitter and for communities on Twitter (and other platforms) that are interested in a less angry place for conversations, but not all of Twitter.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h2>



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2023/07/07/70-million-sign-ups-8-reasons-why-threads-is-blowing-up/?sh=216fd4ea412b">70 million</a>. That’s how many sign-ups Threads hit Friday morning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



The choice for Threads to steer clear of news and politics on its platform is likely informed by troubles Facebook had before it reduced such content in 2021. A study found that in 2020, during the lead-up to the presidential election, Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/traversmark/2020/03/21/facebook-spreads-fake-news-faster-than-any-other-social-website-according-to-new-research/?sh=7e2281d76e1a">spread fake news faster</a>&nbsp;than any other social websites. A separate&nbsp;<a href="https://time.com/5949210/facebook-misinformation-2020-election-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2021 study</a>&nbsp;concluded the website could have prevented more than 10 billion views on popular pages that posted misinformation on Facebook prior to the election. By early 2021, the social media site&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/10/technology/facebook-reduces-politics-feeds.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changed its algorithm</a>&nbsp;to lessen the amount of political content in users’ feeds. The platform has since maintained a stark contrast to Twitter, which after its $44 billion purchase at the hands of Musk, has encouraged political content. Musk, who stays active on the app, has encouraged politicians to engage with him on Twitter Spaces—allowing Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fl) to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/05/23/desantis-launching-presidential-run-wednesday-in-event-with-elon-musk-report-says/?sh=75de68619294">launch his presidential campaign</a>&nbsp;using the live audio feature. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson also uses Twitter as his platform to upload episodes of his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/06/06/tucker-carlson-launches-new-twitter-show-weeks-after-fox-news-ouster-and-talks-ukraine-and-ufos/?sh=4c11cf002883">independent commentary show</a>. On Carlson’s first episode of the show, he said he and his team were “<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/06/06/tucker-carlson-launches-new-twitter-show-weeks-after-fox-news-ouster-and-talks-ukraine-and-ufos/?sh=4c11cf002883">grateful</a>” to be on Twitter and were told there were no “gatekeepers” on the platform.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/7/23787334/instagram-threads-news-politics-adam-mosseri-meta-facebook" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Threads isn’t for news and politics, says Instagram’s boss</a>&nbsp;(The Verge)



<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/07/threads-doesnt-need-negativity-of-hard-news-politics-meta-exec.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meta Threads doesn’t need the ‘negativity’ of hard news and politics, exec says</a> (CNBC)

In this photo illustration, a user sees in his download

Threads Won’t Promote Political Or Hard News Content — A Contrast From Twitter

Decoding types, machine learning, ethics, and the thrilling future of AI.



Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technology with the potential to revolutionize various domains. This article delves into insights provided by Professor Ritesh Ajoodha from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa and Reinard Mortlock, Founder and CEO of LIVEX, on the main types of AI, the role of machine learning, ethical considerations, job displacement, current limitations, and promising future advancements.



Types of AI and their strengths and limitations



According to Ajoodha, two prominent approaches in AI are deep learning and probabilistic approaches. Deep learning, although highly effective, is often considered a black-box method due to its enigmatic decision-making processes. It poses ethical concerns in fields like medicine, where explainability and transparency are crucial. On the other hand, probabilistic approaches, based on probability theory, offer transparency and allow for a clear understanding of the decision-making process. They are particularly suitable for applications with optimization problems and simpler business scenarios.



Machine learning&#8217;s contribution to AI development



Machine learning plays a vital role encompassing data analytics, leveraging big data for various analyses. Machine learning algorithms enable relevant product recommendations based on user preferences and search history. Additionally, machine learning aids in extrapolating data for AI models, detecting anomalies for fraud prevention, and holds significant potential for numerous other applications.



Ethical considerations in AI implementation



Both Ajoodha and Mortlock highlight the importance of ethical considerations in AI implementation. As AI technology evolves, regulations and constraints become necessary to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability. Without proper regulation, AI systems, especially black-box models, can pose challenges regarding decision-making processes, data sanitization, and maintenance. Establishing regulations that promote disclosure and transparency is crucial for addressing ethical concerns.



Potential risks and benefits of AI in job displacement



Mortlock emphasizes that AI, particularly generative AI, is still in its early stages and cannot replace human input and evaluation. While content generation and automation may increase, complex tasks requiring human judgement and creativity remain unaffected. Rather than causing job losses, AI models have the potential to create new job opportunities, especially in fields that facilitate AI development.



Current limitations and future advancements in AI research



Globally, AI research has received substantial support and funding, leading to advancements in hardware capabilities and computational power. However, bottlenecks persist, particularly in regions with limited AI backing, such as some African countries. Nonetheless, promising advancements are anticipated, particularly in healthcare, finance, and risk management. AI&#8217;s potential in cancer detection, early diagnosis, fraud detection, and enhanced number-crunching holds great promise for future advancements.



AI continues to evolve and reshape various industries, presenting both opportunities and challenges. While generative AI and machine learning algorithms offer valuable capabilities, ethical considerations must be addressed to ensure transparency and fairness. The ongoing advancements in AI research, coupled with proper regulation and ethical frameworks, can pave the way for a future where AI positively impacts society while minimizing risks.

AI, Machine learning, robot hand ai artificial intelligence assistance human touching on big data network connection background, Science artificial intelligence technology, innovation and futuristic.

AI Unleashed: Five Facts From African Experts

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



OceanGate—the sea exploration company that operated the Titan submersible that went missing and imploded in June—is suspending all exploration and commercial operations, according to the company’s <a href="https://oceangateexpeditions.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



News of the suspension came just over two weeks after five people were killed, including the company&#8217;s CEO Stockton Rush, during a trip to the Titanic wreckage.



OceanGate previously offered dives to the Titanic wreckage—which it had successfully visited twice—and to hydrothermal vents in Azores Archipelago, Portugal, both of which cost $250,000 per passenger, according to its site.



Days after the sub lost contact, the Coast Guard announced that “presumed human remains” were recovered from debris of the Titan sub, which was recovered from the seafloor.



OceanGate also had a number of commercial offerings, such as using subs for deep sea testing, underwater filming and photography, or research and data collection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



The Titan submersible first went missing Sunday, June 18, after it departed on a trip bound for the wreckage of the Titanic, triggering a search by the Coast Guard that lasted about five days. Officials initially held out hope that the five men on board could be saved before the vessel’s oxygen ran out by Thursday, until the Coast Guard District Northeast&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/06/22/titan-sub-passengers-have-sadly-been-lost-after-coast-guard-finds-debris-from-catastrophic-event-near-titanic-wreckage/?sh=3ae3eb7b1126">announced</a>&nbsp;a debris field containing external parts of the Titan submersible had been discovered in an area near the wreck of the Titanic. The Coast Guard confirmed the Titan submersible suffered a “catastrophic implosion” that resulted in the passengers’ deaths. Days after the sub lost contact, the Coast Guard announced that “presumed human remains” were recovered from debris of the Titan sub, which was recovered from the seafloor. During the search for the vessel, information about its creators and questionable construction began to surface. In a 2021 interview, Rush said he had “<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/06/23/oceangate-ceo-said-in-2021-ive-broken-some-rules-in-building-titanic-sub-that-later-imploded/?sh=618855e37ae5">broken some rules</a>” when designing the submersible, specifically by building it against industry standards using carbon fiber and titanium. Scientists at the Marine Technology Society also had concerns, criticizing OceanGate in 2018 for failing to meet a set of voluntary industry standards for vessel safety and urging it to send a prototype for review, according to a letter obtained by the&nbsp;<a href="https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/marine-technology-society-committee-2018-letter-to-ocean-gate/eddb63615a7b3764/full.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Times</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<a href="https://oceangateexpeditions.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OceanGate Expeditions</a>&nbsp;(OceanGate)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/06/28/presumed-human-remains-found-in-titanic-sub-debris-coast-guard-says/?sh=17eea5461c98">‘Presumed Human Remains’ Found In Titanic Sub Debris, Coast Guard Says</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/06/22/titan-sub-passengers-have-sadly-been-lost-after-coast-guard-finds-debris-from-catastrophic-event-near-titanic-wreckage/?sh=70da17171126">Titan Sub Passengers Have ‘Sadly Been Lost’—As Coast Guard Finds Debris From ‘Catastrophic Event’ Near Titanic Wreckage</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/06/20/titanic-sub-search-fact-checking-claims-about-the-tourist-submersible-that-went-missing/?sh=77176afe12d9">Titanic Sub Search: Fact-Checking Claims About The Tourist Submersible That Went Missing</a> (Forbes)<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/"></a>

OceanGate Offices As Titanic Submersible Still Missing

Titanic Sub Company OceanGate Suspends All Exploration And Commercial Operations

Former South African Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad, renowned for his anti-apartheid activism, dies at age 84.



Essop Pahad, a revered figure in South African politics and the former Minister in the Presidency, passed away peacefully at the age of 84 this morning, confirmed by his family in a statement. Pahad&#8217;s close association with former President Thabo Mbeki and his influential role in shaping policies made him a trusted confidante and strategic thinker.



Pahad&#8217;s political journey began as an anti-apartheid activist in the late 1960s when he joined the Transvaal Indian Youth Congress. His unwavering commitment to the cause led to his arrest by the apartheid regime, after which he sought refuge in exile and became an active member of the African National Congress (ANC).



President Cyril Ramaphosa paid tribute to Pahad, acknowledging his contributions to the development of a democratic South Africa. “Essop Pahad was a thinker and strategist who brought his understanding of the human condition, injustice and inequality at the national and international level to bear on our transition to democracy and in introducing a democratic, non-aligned and activist South Africa to the global community,” said Ramaphosa in a statement.



The ANC and Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), organizations with which Pahad was closely associated, also expressed their condolences.



Pahad&#8217;s burial, scheduled for later today in Johannesburg, will be conducted in accordance with his Muslim faith, honoring his beliefs and legacy.

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