Microsoft Surface Go 2 is now available to businesses and consumers in the South African market. The device will retail at R8,999 and sold by Incredible Connection stores and Vodacom.
The device comes with a larger 10.5-inch display, improved battery life and a model with up to 64% faster performance.
Click to read about the technical specifications of the Surface Go 2 announced in May this year.
We’re excited to expand our Surface family with the addition of Surface Go 2 – our smallest and lightest two-in-one laptop says, Vithesh Reddy, Consumer and Channel Marketing Director at Microsoft South Africa. Its compact design and the versatility of a touchscreen and keyboard will appeal to businesses, schools, students and families, he continues.
He also adds that “Sharing Surface Go 2 with your family is seamless and secure. With parent-managed screen time limits, spending control and content filtering. Plus plenty of space for your photos, videos and music,” says Reddy.
The Surface Go 2 will start selling from the 22nd of October in South Africa.
Microsoft is currently running a campaign to recruit graduates to its Student2Business programme in South Africa.
The programme is opened to graduates who have completed a 3yr qualification in IT and Marketing.
Selected persons will be paired with participating organizations, usually, Microsoft Partners to gain workplace exposure. They will also receive training on the latest Microsoft technologies and get certified.
Mulaedza Mathoho is a beneficiary of the programme. He was paired with a Johannesburg-based consulting company as a Junior Data Scientist. Through the programme, he completed two Microsoft certifications, earning globally recognized certificates. Mulaedza shares that he gained invaluable experience in database development, data management and analytics that he can use to further his career.
Click to visit the Microsoft Student2Business programme to apply.
Microsoft South Africa, together with leading gender-based violence NPO partners, 1000 Women Trust and TEARS Foundation, launch Safe@Home Hackathon to address gender-based violence in South Africa.
The virtual hackathon event will run from 22 September to 19 October. It invites the South African developer community to create and develop technology-based solutions that will help victims of gender-based violence, vulnerable women and children.
Access to the right technology can enable a better and safer way for women and children to reach out for help.
“Gender-based violence is one of the most pressing and critical challenges South Africa faces: President Cyril Ramaphosa identified it as the second pandemic our country is currently battling and a war that is being waged against our women and children, with over 40% of South African women experiencing sexual and/or physical interpersonal violence in their lifetime,” says Lillian Barnard, Managing Director of Microsoft South Africa.
A study by the World Health Organisation, for example, found that 42 percent of females between 13 and 23 in the country reported experiencing physical dating violence. The incidence of unreported violence is much higher – and getting worse.
“Violence against women and children is escalating under the current circumstances, with many South Africans confined to their homes. This indicates a clear need to take action to address gender-based violence in South Africa,” says Tina Thiart, founder of 1000 Women.
Microsoft South Africa is pledging its support to helping address gender-based violence through the Safe@Home Hackathon. Hackathons are aimed at finding solutions to specific challenges through collaborative brainstorming and programming in a short space of time.
The Safe@Home Hackathon will look to facilitate collaboration to create and develop technology-based solutions that will work in the context of South Africa’s unique circumstances and challenges.
“Our goal is to find real, sustainable solutions to help South Africa’s most vulnerable and at-risk. Ensuring that we are able to build these kinds of fit-for-purpose technology-based solutions will require partnerships with developers, NGOs in the gender-based violence space like TEARS Foundation and 1000 Women, government, corporate South Africa and other technology players,” says Barnard.
“Together, we will provide the support needed as we call on developers across the country to come together, understand the issues surrounding gender-based violence, and create and develop technology-based solutions that can help save lives.”
Safe@Home in South Africa is replicating the successful initiative piloted by Microsoft Israel in partnership with the “Michal Sela Forum” – headed by the sister of a victim of gender-based violence – and the country’s developer community to create and develop technology-based solutions to help victims of gender-based violence. The hackathon resulted in the development of a number of applications that will be deployed in Israel to help other women and children who need it.
Likewise, South Africa’s hackathon aims help the country’s most vulnerable. The intention is that winning idea will be developed into a full application that will be deployed to support women across South Africa who need help, and make a difference in curbing gender-based violence in South Africa. The top three teams also stand to win cash prizes. The winners will be announced on 26 October.
“I look forward to exploring the possibilities that technology can provide to help keep women and children ‘safe@home’, and working together to tackle the scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa. The time for collective action is now,” says Mara Glennie, founder and director at TEARS Foundation.
South African developers wanting to be part of positive change to help vulnerable women and children can enter to join the hackathon here: https://safeathome.bemyapp.com/
Smallholder farmers in South Africa are set to benefit from a 2.3 million dollar Microsoft investment aimed at driving sustainability in South Africa’s agricultural sector.
Through the investment, Microsoft will use technology to solve some of the challenges these farmers face. That prevents them from becoming commercially viable, efficient and sustainable.
Microsoft notes that smallholder farmers form an important part of the agricultural workforce in South Africa.
Lillian Barnard, Managing Director at Microsoft South Africa notes the investment is aimed at making a real difference in one of South Africa’s most vital sectors.
“There is no doubt that South Africa’s smallholder farmers have significant potential to drive growth and employment opportunities. As well as enable other sectors within the country to ultimately drive food security.
This makes it critical to invest in the sector to address the challenges they face. Key challenges are a lack of infrastructure, access to competitive formal markets, production and business skills, funding and financial support to re-invest in their farming activities, and compliance with foodsafety regulations and legislation.”
“Our investment is aimed at making a real difference in one of South Africa’s most vital sectors by harnessing the power of technology. High-impact technological solutions will improve efficiencies in smallholder farming, lower the cost of production, improve access to local and international markets, improve compliance with legislation, and drive access to information, among others.
By investing in the agriculture sector and unlocking the potential of technology to act as an enabler for growth and skills development, we are showing our commitment to driving sustainability and creating opportunities in one of South Africa’s most critical, job-creating industries.”
Lillian Barnard, Managing Director, Microsoft South Africa.
Investments in AgriTech
Last year, Microsoft South Africa announced a new evolved Microsoft Equity Equivalent Investment Programme to focus on investments in technology solutions in agriculture and digital transformation in the manufacturing sectors.
Central University of Technology, South Africa, is introducing an Artificial Intelligence university programme powered by Microsoft.
To firstly skill employees with the in-demand skill and secondly address the demand for the skill in the province and South Africa in general.
The Artificial Intelligence university programme is developed by Microsoft and will be delivered by Microsoft Partner Gijima. The initiative is also in partnership with the Free State Provincial Government.
It will comprise of a 12-month blended learning model of self-study, online learning, classroom instructor-led training and a flipped classroom. The program will include; Mentorship and coaching by industry experts, Business skills, Microsoft Azure AI Associate Certification, Flipped Classroom, Guest Lecturers, Career days, Examination and Certification.
The program is designed to pass on skills employers value and need. By teaching graduates with limited or no work experience to explore, transform, model, and visualise data. As well as to create the next generation of intelligent solutions.
The collaborative nature of the Artificial Intelligence university Programme will unlock the value of AI and the role it will play in workplaces of the future says Microsoft South Africa Managing Director, Lillian Barnard.
By bringing together private and public sector partners, students, facilitators, mentors, coaches, and industry experts, the programme will enable the development of critical AI skills that will help our young people become more work-ready and employable, as well as help organizations, adapt to the ever-changing demands of the world of work.
Lillian Barnard
The training and certification program started on the 3rd of July 2020 with the Innovation Services of CUT (CUTis) and the Free State Provincial Government. The program will become available to the general public for enrolment from 2021.
Microsoft announces the expansion of its Surface device range into the South Africa market. Starting with the introduction of Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 for both commercial and consumer customers.
The devices will be available for consumers to purchase from Incredible Connection stores and Vodacom starting July 29, 2020.
Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 continue the brand’s tradition. Of best-in-class productivity, security, mobility and speed, the company notes. It introduces new processors and modern connectivity options in a world of remote work and learning.
“Rapid and continuous change define modern living and working – and the shift to remote working and education requires the right tools to stay productive and connected securely,” said Vithesh Reddy, Consumer and Channel Marketing Director at Microsoft South Africa.
“Microsoft’s Surface family is designed for just that kind of versatility, portability and productivity, so people can work and play faster, better, and stay connected wherever they are. As with previous Surface devices, we have delivered best-in-class upgrades for our new additions to the family, to ensure that individuals and organisations have access to the optimal performance they need to achieve more in the office, classroom, or out in the field.”
The Surface Pro 7 takes Microsoft’s iconic 2-in-1 design to the next level, with a faster and more versatile device for professionals on the go. Powered by a 10th Generation Intel® Core™ processor, Fast Charging, all-day battery1 and Instant On, the Surface Pro 7 provides modern connectivity with USB-C™ and USB-A ports.
Access to the latest devices
Businesses and consumers across South Africa will also have access to the latest edition of Microsoft’s most beloved laptop series. The new Surface Laptop 3 makes a statement though a thin, light, and elegant design, offering rich tone-on-tone colour options and new metal keyboard finishes. Surface Laptop 3 is now available in two sizes – 13.5-inch and 15-inch and features a vibrant PixelSense™ Display touchscreen.
The device delivers improved speed and performance with the latest 10th Generation Intel® Core™ processor, up to 11.5 hours battery life2, and Instant On. The Surface Laptop 3 15-inch consumer offering is powered by the AMD Ryzen™ Surface Edition processor.
“The Surface family has always transcended market expectations. – Whether in the consumer or corporate segment. – Providing devices at the leading edge of innovation, and establishing new benchmarks for excellence,” said Reddy.
“At each iteration, we elevate the entire Microsoft ecosystem, ensuring our devices evolve into a line of products that cover the widest possible range of individual and business use cases – versatile, adaptable, powerful and secure to enable remote working or schooling.”
Adds Gary Pickford, CCO at Tarsus Distribution, “We’re excited to introduce the Surface Laptop 3 and Surface Pro 7 products to the South African market, offering a new, Windows-powered alternative in the premium mobile segment. The models we are providing to our channel offer a blend of speed, style and versatility for notebook and tablet users looking for a Windows device with a high-quality finish and a device that balances security, aesthetics, speed and versatility.”
Pricing and Support
Recommended retail pricing for the Surface Pro 7 starts at R17 999.00. And the Surface Laptop 3 starts at R22 999.00.
The good things about the new market is that devices will come with support, warranties and extended warranties. To find out more about Microsoft Surface devices in South Africa, visit https://support.microsoft.com/en-ZA. Or call 0860 22 55 67 weekdays 9am – 9pm and weekends 10am – 6pm.
