The first Bitcoin Academy in South Africa has opened up at the Bandwidth Barn in Woodstock, Cape Town. Bitcoin is a type of digital currency in which encryption techniques are used to regulate the generation of units of currency and verify the transfer of funds, operating independently of a central ban. The academy is founded by Sonya Kuhnel, one of the first women involved in bitcoin in South Africa. They will be hosting a beginner’s course on 7 September, where the speakers will be Sonya Kuhnel and Prof GJ van Rooyen of Stellenbosch University. The academy will primarily focus on providing training to financial institutions, corporates, developers, start-ups, entrepreneurs, government and individuals on bitcoin and blockchain technology Cape Talk’s Kieno Kammies speaks to Prof G-J Van Rooyen, Associate professor in Information and Communication Technology at Stellenbosch University and Co-founder of Custos Media Technologies: According to Van Rooyen, Bitcoin is simply digital cash. Bitcoins are safe to use, difficult to cheat and legal, he says. Listen to the full conversation below: 13 September 2016 8:32 AM LaunchLab is accelerating young, innovative entrepreneurs to a new level through their ideas challenges and business partnerships. 31 August 2016 7:53 AM Spokesperson of the ANC, Zizi Kodwa, says they warned against what is unravelling between the Hawks and Finance Minister. 8 August 2016 1:53 PM Sonke Gender Justice slammed security officials for manhandling four silent female protesters during President Zuma’s speech. 19 July 2016 11:12 PM Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, vice chairperson of Reproductive Justice Coalition, discusses challenges around females practicing safe sex. 14 July 2016 10:20 PM Kate Wilkinson, senior researcher at Africa Check, tackles some of the inaccurate statements that political parties make. 12 July 2016 10:03 AM Ryan Cummings says terrorist groups are divided between logistical and operational networks. 7 July 2016 10:53 PM Andile Tshona, from the Fees Commission, says they received 179 written submissions from all sectors of society. 9 June 2016 1:26 PM Phumudzo Rapea, from the Saps, says if you take pictures of national key points for unlawful purposes you'll be arrested. 9 June 2016 9:00 AM Marc Koska, inventor of the K1 auto-disable syringe, discusses his invention which could stop the spread of HIV. 28 September 2015 12:47 PM 702's Stephen Grootes spoke to EWN's Govan Whittles about the report that Radovan Krejcir's prison escape plan was foiled.
The first Bitcoin academy has been launched in South Africa, to focus on providing training to financial institutions, corporates, developers, start-ups, entrepreneurs, government and individuals on Bitcoin and blockchain technology.