HiPipo Money

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Finalists in the prestigious CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2013 Competition were announced yesterday by Ferial Haffajee, Chair of the independent judging panel. The competition is now in its 18^th year.

This year the competition received entries from 42 countries across the continent, including French and Portuguese speaking Africa.

There are 27 finalists from 11 countries:  

1. Gifty Andoh Appiah, Joy News TV, Ghana
2. Rebekah Awuah, GBC 24, Ghana
3. Domingos Bento, Seminário Novo Jornal, Angola
4. Thomas Otieno Bwire, Pamoja FM, Kibera, Kenya
5. Axcel Micael Chenney, Le Défi Média Group, Mauritius
6. Florence Dallu, Freelance for Koch FM, Kenya
7. Nicola de Chaud, Freelance for Carte Blanche, South Africa
8. Adrian de Kock, The Star, South Africa
9. Ibrahima-Benjamin Diagne, Radio Futurs Médias (RFM), Senegal
10. Msindisi Fengu & Yandisa Monakali, Daily Dispatch, South Africa
11. Selma Inocência, Rede de Comunicação Miramar, Mozambique
12. Geoff Iyatse, The Guardian, Nigeria
13. Thanduxolo Jika & Media 24 Investigations Team, Media 24, South Africa
14. Judy Jeptum Kosgei & Mauritius Oduor, Citizen TV, Kenya
15. Lucas Ledwaba, City Press, South Africa
16. Lázaro Mabunda, O País, Mozambique
17. Carol Natukunda, New Vision, Uganda
18. Amon Ngabo, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, Uganda
19. Tolu Ogunlesi, Freelance for Ventures Africa, Nigeria
20. Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye, Sunday Punch, Nigeria
21. Brenda Okoth, The Star, Kenya
22. Nassima Oulebsir, El Watan, Algeria
23. Passant Rabie, Egypt Today, Egypt
24. Roseline Wangui & Wambui Kurema, NTV, Kenya

The winners of the competition will be announced at an Award Ceremony and Gala Evening in Cape Town, South Africa, on Saturday 12 October.

The host for the evening is Isha Sesay, host of CNN International’s ‘NewsCenter’.

Announcing the finalists, chairperson of the independent judging panel Ferial Haffajee said: “A tough table of judges was often visibly impressed by the range of stories presented to us.  African journalists, as represented by our entries, have risen to the challenge of 2012.  The big stories were well-covered.  The small stories were not forgotten.  We commend the dedication of journalists who are very much part of a rising Africa with rising professionalism, increased appetite for tough and investigative journalism, an eye on those left behind and a deep commitment to telling good stories across many mediums.”

The independent judging panel, chaired by Ferial Haffajee, Editor-in-Chief, City Press, South Africa includes: Debo Adesina, Editor-in-Chief, The Guardian Newspaper, Nigeria; Betty Dindi, Managing Editor, Nation Media Group, Kenya; Jean-Paul Gérouard, Editor-in-Chief, France Télévisions ; Anton Harber, Professor of journalism & media studies, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa; Joel Kibazo, Journalist and Media Consultant; Arlindo Lopes, General Manager, Regulatory and Corporate, Angola and Mozambique, MultiChoice Africa Ltd; Arlindo Macedo, Journalist Rádio Nacional de Angola, (RNA); Amadou Mahtar Ba, CEO, African Media Initiative and Kim Norgaard, CNN Bureau Chief, South Africa

The competition is once again supported by The Coca-Cola Company; Ecobank; Ericsson; IPP Media, Tanzania; Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD), UNICEF and A24 Media.

An all-expenses paid four day programme of workshops, media forums, networking has been set up for the finalists during the run up to the award ceremony on 12 October 2013.

Tony Maddox, Executive Vice-President and Managing Director of CNN International said: “Now in its 18^th year, the quality and excellence of the work submitted to the African Journalist Awards continues to rise year on year, ensuring that the 2013 competition maintains its place as the most prestigious Pan African Awards for journalists. CNN is proud to continue its commitment to fostering inspired journalistic excellence in African reporting.”

Collins Khumalo, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, said: “MultiChoice South Africa is proud to play a role in amplifying the voice of journalists across the African continent. We congratulate the finalists for telling the stories of Africa and its people to the world. We look forward to welcoming you to Cape Town for the awards.”

Nico Meyer, CEO of MultiChoice Africa said:”MultiChoice Africa is especially proud to once again partner with CNN in hosting these prestigious Awards. We believe that these awards play a key role in encouraging excellence in media while sharing the great stories of the continent. Congratulations to the finalists of 2013, we look forward to hosting you in Cape Town in October to celebrate the best journalism Africa has to offer.”

Note to Editors: Competition Criteria

To enter the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist 2013 competition the journalist must have been an African national and have worked on the continent for African owned, or headquartered, media organisations that produced a printed publication or broadcast through an electronic medium (television broadcaster, radio station or website) primarily targeted at and received by an African audience.

Entries were published or broadcast in 2012 for the following awards:

Culture Award; The Coca-Cola Company Economics and Business Award; Digital Platform Award; Environment Award; Free Press Africa Award; Mohamed Amin Photographic Award; MSD Health & Medical Award; Print General News Award; Radio General News Award; Sport Award; Television Features Award; Television News Bulletin Award; Francophone General News Awards; Portuguese Language General News Award

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After 15 exciting weeks of intense competition involving over 30,000 applications, 15 competent business ideas have been selected and each rewarded with Ugx. 5million as start-up capital at the just concluded Sawa Ya Cash business competition.

Sawa Ya Cash, literally meaning“Cash hour” is the first edition of a local reality TV series in which locally trained entrepreneurship candidates competed to win a cash prize for their business start-up Capital. The shows have been running for a period of 15 weeks.

Inspire Africa, a human capital development organization partnered with MTN Uganda as its executive sponsor, and Bank of Africa to produce the popular TV show. MTN Uganda has invested Ugx. 182million in the partnership to support raising entrepreneurs to fully develop their enterprises.

Speaking during the grand finale event at Hotel Africana, Mr. Mazen Mroué, MTN Uganda’s Chief Executive Officer said that, “MTN is proud to use its position as the number one corporate citizen to support government initiatives in various areas; including SMEs which play a very critical role in the development of the national economy”.

In the last two years alone, MTN Uganda has invested over Ugx. 1billionin business support to the SME sector through financing business management skills training initiatives including the Annual SME Business Management training in partnership with KPMG.

In the last 15 years of operation in Uganda, MTN’s total investment made has exceeded Ugx. 1.5 Trillion.

“We have created opportunities for Ugandans to start and grow in business by partnering with us in our sales and distribution activities, and through MTN Mobile Money Services, as well as in several other areas like supply chain” said Mroué.

Mroué further explained that it is because of the phenomenal growth in the SME sector over the years that MTN has chosen to consistently come out to support the sector. “MTN’s partnership with Inspire Africa and Bank of Africa is another demonstration of our commitment to empowering our customers’ in order to make their lives a whole lot better,” he said.

The event was graced by His Excellency the President of Uganda, Mr. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, and the Prime Minister Hon. Amama Mbabazi, Hon. Mary Karoro Okurut Minister of Gender, Labour & Social Affairs and several dignitaries.

The CEO of Inspire Africa Mr. Nelson Tugume said that” Sawa Ya cash is part of a larger vision of Inspire Africa to stimulate entrepreneurship amongst the youth not only in Uganda but across Africa.”

“Like with investments in technology, we pledge to continue supporting government efforts in developing this economy, as well as supporting our customers with critical skills, products and technologies that will propel their enterprises to the next level.” said Mroué 

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DStv Uganda has announced a drastic price reduction in the hardware price effective today. This announcement comes ahead of the new soccer season which commences next month. Starting Monday, 15^th July 2013, a full kit for DStv can be purchased at UGX 169,000 excluding installation and subscription for all potential premium customers.

New customers can opt to purchase the hardware at a reduced price which will be dependent on the bouquet they opt for. Compact Plus customers can purchase the kit exclusive of installation at UGX 209,000; Compact at UGX 239,000, Family at UGX 249,000 and Access at UGX 269,000. These new changes come just weeks after DStv announced the addition of new channels – EbonyLife and Mnet Reality and Mnet Showcase on the platform. 

Jude Kalema, Sales Manager of MultiChoice Uganda said, “This is a price special we are confident new customers will embrace. DStv boasts a wide selection of great family entertainment. The soccer season is just weeks away and we realize the massive interest and talkability the game of football creates in Uganda. We felt it was essential to introduce this price special so that customers can join the bandwagon of the DStv family”.

Kalema added “Customers who pay in time are still eligible to qualify for a 10% discount on their subscription provided they pay ahead of the service expiration. A 10% rebate on the subsequent month’s payment will continue as long as the cycle is unbroken. Customers are encouraged to remain connected to enjoy this benefit and keep abreast with the world of entertainment”.

DStv will be opening up some exciting channels this weekend from 19^th to 22^nd July 2013 to all customers regardless of the bouquet they subscribe to. Existing customers will be having an opportunity to watch some of their favorite channels including some SuperSport channels in anticipation for the new soccer season.

The price special will be applicable while stocks last.

About DStv packages

Subscribers can purchase any of the following DStv bouquets. All bouquets have an exciting array of movie, documentary, sports, music, news channels.

1. Access package has over 40 channels at $10
2. Family package at $20, over 45 channels
3. Compact at $32, over 55 channels
4. Compact+ is at $52, over 60 channels
5. Premium at $82, over 90 channels

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Samsung Electronics: An exclusive 2- year warranty in Africa

That Guarantees your peace of mind……

The on-going national anti-counterfeit drive has received an extra boost with the confirmation by Samsung Electronics that its genuine range of products will continue carrying an exclusive two-year warranty.

The confirmation by Samsung Electronics East Africa chief operating officer Robert Ngeru effectively means that customers buying genuine Samsung products from the authorised dealers will continue enjoying their peace of mind.

Dubbed the Samsung Smart Care, customers buying original Samsung products can easily activate their 2-Year warranty using an electronic activation system for all hand held devices. The warranty, already rolled out via Samsung Uganda’s E-Warranty platform also allows registered handset owners to win a range of attractive prizes in monthly draws.

In addition, local customers purchasing the Samsung Galaxy S4 are also enjoying the unique Accidental Damage from Handling (ADH) warranty, covering two screen damages or two liquid damages or a screen and liquid damage within the 2 years warranty period. The ADH warranty is activated only when the consumer registers their phone via E-warranty.

Samsung Mobile customers wishing to check the validity of their E-Warranty can easily check the status by sending an SMS with the words: “Check*IMEI number#” to 6585 to confirm their 2-year warranty validity. Customers can also access Samsung Customer Care services through the 0800300300 toll free line.

E-warranty registration is a simple process whereby the customer sends an SMS with Reg*IMEI number# to 6585. The IMEI number is found under the battery of the phone. For consumer electronics and IT products, the customer should fill out a warranty card and they will get an SMS confirmation within one week.

“The Samsung Smart Care 2-Year warranty that covers our full range of consumer electronic appliances and mobile devices is the first of its kind in Africa and is aimed at saving our customers the unnecessary pain and anguish that comes with buying counterfeit products,” Ngeru

He added that: “Customers buying original Samsung products from our authorised dealers in Uganda continue to enjoy the peace of mind brought about by our undisputed quality, durability and 2 years warranty across our entire product line.”

The rollout of the 2-year warranty in Uganda, Ngeru explained, has been made possible by the firm’s quality assurance systems and adoption of the Samsung Built for Africa strategy, which focuses on manufacturing products tropicalized for local conditions.

“At Samsung, we are confident enough that we manufacture quality products which can last for many years and our 2 year warranty is a clear testimony of our superior product quality,” Ngeru explained. Further noting that: “Putting our customers’ requirements first, means taking relevant steps to ensure the highest level of product compatibility and service is maintained. This is a key business imperative for us and one that we will continue to drive into 2013 and beyond as part our Built for Africa agenda.”

As the market leader in East Africa, Samsung Electronics is pursuing an active customer service enhancement programme which also focuses on raising the quality of its after sales support capacity.

With a two-year warranty, Samsung has further managed to raise its value proposition for its customers who enjoy better value for money. In a market suffering from an influx of Counterfeit and Gray products that don’t carry any warranty, Samsung customers will enjoy the value of a two year Warranty backed by a dedicated service support system.