Google – News announcements

YouTube now speaks isiZulu and Afrikaans

2011-11-03T00:00:00Z

Launched today at G-South Africa in Newtown

3 November 2011 – Today YouTube – the place where anyone with a video camera and an Internet connection can share their life, art and voice with the world – has launched YouTube in two more local languages: Afrikaans and isiZulu.

The announcement was made today at the second annual Google South Africa (G-SA) event held in Newtown, Johannesburg. Here, over 30 Google experts from around the globe are meeting with businesses, marketers, entrepreneurs, and web developers to discuss the future of online business and web application development, and conduct training on Google’s products.

This announcement comes not long after the one year anniversary of the launch of the South African version of YouTube, which made it even faster and easier for local users to find and view the videos most relevant to them.

“The new language versions mean that Internet users whose first language is isiZulu or Afrikaans can now fully enjoy what YouTube has to offer,” says Luke Mckend, who delivered the keynote at the Newtown event. “YouTube gives South Africans the power to broadcast themselves, with great content in both languages increasingly finding its way onto YouTube. Popular Afrikaans channels include Die Heuwels Fantasties, HuisegenootTempo, kanaalMK and Pasella TV. Meanwhile, Mducomics is a trumpet for isiZulu content and users can easily find Zulu music on JusGorilla.”

In South Africa, YouTube views have increased by 175% in the past year and, according to a survey by Ipsos and TNS, 50% of smartphone users watch videos on their phones every month. Globally, more than 48 hours (two days worth) of video is uploaded to YouTube every minute – a 37% increase over the last six months and a 100% increase over the last year. YouTube recently passed the 3 billion views a day mark, equivalent to nearly half the world’s population watching a YouTube video each day. Around the world, 600 tweets per minute minute contain a YouTube video.

In addition to the standard YouTube experience, South African users have the option to watch videos with YouTube Feather. This ‘light’ version only includes the site’s most basic features, to help ensure that those with low-speed Internet connections are able to play videos faster. YouTube Feather can be found in TestTube (http://www.youtube.com/testtube), the area on the site where new products are tested.

Commenting further on the announcement, Luke Mckend says, “YouTube has the world’s largest audience – video is a mode of communication that allows everyone’s voice to be heard. There’s something for everyone on YouTube, from entertainment, education and sport, to activism and practical tips. YouTube is also a place where culture is created and shared, so we’re looking forward to seeing more South African videos uploaded, including content in isiZulu and Afrikaans.”

Native Afrikaans and IsiZulu speakers can now join the movement to make YouTube their own by broadcasting themselves and their African stories, and sign up for an account.

About YouTube

YouTube is the world’s most popular online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.

YouTube in South Africa

The local domain of YouTube (YouTube.co.za) was launched in May 2010, enabling local users to find local content and share their content with other South Africans. YouTube.co.za was the first local YouTube domain on the African continent.

G-South Africa

Google-South Africa 2.0 is the latest in a series of interactive forums and tech days that Google has been holding across Africa since late 2009, aiming to promote innovation and business on the continent.

Google launches Student Ambassador Programme in SA

2011-07-14T00:00:00Z

14 July, 2011 – Google today announced that the Google Student Ambassador Programme will be making its way to South Africa. This forms part of Google’s commitment to empower the African academic community with knowledge, infrastructure and the tools to access information easily and effectively.

The initiative, which was recently launched in both Nigeria and Ghana, invites students enrolled at SA universities to represent Google for one academic year tenure on their respective campuses. Students will help promote the adoption, usage and localisation of Google’s products and create awareness about Google opportunities for the university community.

17 students have been selected from five SA universities to be Google ambassadors for 2011-2012. These institutions include the University of Cape Town, University of the Free State, University of Pretoria, Rhodes University and the Vaal University of Technology. The chosen students come from various disciplines such as computer science, engineering and business and speak several South African languages.

Google will be running an orientation programme for the new ambassadors on 18th July and a half-day workshop focusing on Google applications for education on 19th July. In addition, on the 19th July, participants will attend ‘Google Engage’: a seminar focused on providing support for South African web professionals who offer services to SMBs.

“Google has selected a fantastic group of motivated and energetic South African students who are eager to follow in the footsteps of their fellow African ambassadors,” comments Luke Mckend, Country Manager, Google South Africa. “These young people understand the possibilities that the Internet presents for the continent and are dedicated to educating others about the web, as well as useful Google tools and services.”

Speaking about their appointment as Ambassadors the Google Ambassadors said:

“Serving as an Ambassador for Google will be an enormous privilege. The chance to be an integral part of Google’s outreach motivates me extensively, not only because it is a great platform to develop IT infrastructure in South Africa, but also because it will empower the people who wish to use this valuable resource.”
—Francois van Greunen, undergraduate, Computer Science and Mathematics Student at University of the Free State

“South Africa boasts a number of diverse cultures and languages. Google, as a company devoted to creating and encouraging the spread of locally relevant content on the Internet, is perfectly suited to complement the country’s unique environment. I look forward to assisting Google in its efforts to make the web more accessible and evermore valuable for South African users.”
—Wanga Mbasa, undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Engineering at University of Pretoria

“I am passionate about my country’s development and my university. I advocate the importance of evolving technology and admire how Google stays at the forefront of innovation. IT skills will allow people to empower themselves as they are given the tools to learn and create new things. There is definitely an opportunity to implement more extensive IT education in South Africa.”
—Kirsten Eddey, undergraduate Marketing Student at University of Cape Town

To learn more about the Ambassador and other university programmes, visit: www.google.com/africa/universityprograms/

About Google Inc.

Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com/africa and our Google Africa Blog. You can also follow Google’s Africa team on Twitter: twitter.com/googleafrica

Google expands SA Street View imagery

2011-07-11T00:00:00Z

11 July, 2011 – After the successful launch of Google Street View in South Africa in June last year, and the addition of numerous heritage sites and Cape wineries to the Street View image bank, Google is pleased to announce that users are now able to explore even more of the country from the comfort of their PCs. Google Street View adds another dimension to Google Maps, with 360-degree street-level photographic images taken by the Google cars and trikes.

Substantial additions to Street View have been made for Limpopo, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, North West, and Mpumalanga provinces. The southernmost tip of Africa is also now part of Street View, with the inclusion of Cape Agulhas, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. Coastal fans can take a drive through the beautiful West Coast National Park, check out imagery of Saldanha Bay, an important natural harbour and port town, or visit Port Edward.

Among many other new additions, users who are more interested in urban centres can explore Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo Province; Mokopane, one of South Africa’s richest agricultural areas; Mthatha, not far from Mr. Mandela’s home village; or Harrismith, a wool producing district that is also home to the largest truck stop in the Southern Hemisphere.

“We are delighted to be adding a host of new South African imagery to Google Street View, both rural and urban,” says Julie Taylor, Communications Manager for Google Sub Saharan Africa. “Whether you want to visit the edge of the Kalahari desert or coastal Margate, drive through the Karoo, or just check out parking options in Polokwane, Street View has something for everyone.”

Extra imagery for 12 other established Street View countries is also now available including Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Romania, Taiwan, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom. Users can enjoy everything from the landscapes of Tuscany to popular California landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge or the Getty Museum.

Using Google Street View

In areas where Street View is available, you can see the images on Google Maps (on a PC or Internet-enabled mobile) by zooming into the lowest level, or by dragging the orange “Pegman” icon on the left-hand side of the map onto a blue highlighted street.

Google has gone to lengths to safeguard privacy while allowing all South African users to benefit from this feature. Street View only contains imagery that is already visible from public roads and features technology that blurs both faces and licence plates. In addition, any user can easily flag images for removal that he or she considers inappropriate by clicking on “Report a problem”. South Africa is the first country in Africa to get Street View imagery in Maps. Large areas of the US, Australia, Japan, France, Italy and Spain are presently visible in Street View, first launched in May 2007 and hugely popular worldwide.

To learn more about Street View, visit: www.google.co.za/streetview

About Google Inc.

Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. For more information, please visit www.google.com and the Google Africa Blog. You can also follow Google’s Africa team on Twitter: twitter.com/googleafrica

Notes to Editors

Some special locations on Street View:

For sports lovers:

Soccer City
Loftus Versfeld
Moses Mabhida
Peter Mokaba
ABSA Durban
Mbombela
Wanderers
St Georges
Supersport Park

For outdoors lovers:

Cape peninsula
Natal Midlands
Kruger
Cape Agulhas
West Coast National Park
Addo
Tsitsikamma
Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Midlands
Tsitsikamma
Karoo
Wilderness
Harkerville Forest
Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve
Blyde River Canyon

For city lovers:

Nelson Mandela Bridge
Vilakazi Street
Gandhi Square
Walter Sisulu Square
Newtown and Africa Museum
Adderley St and St George's Cathedral
Beach Road, Cape Town
Company Gardens
Apartheid Museum
Turffontein Race Course
Settlers Park

Some of the wineries currently on Street View:

Bouchard Finlayson
De Rust Estate
De Wetshof
Fairview
Jordan Wines
Klein Constantia
Meerlust
Morgenster
Rustenberg
Vilafonte Vineyards
Warwick Wine Estate

National Council for Law Reporting announces digitization of Hansards

2011-07-05T00:00:00Z

National Council for Law Reporting partners with the Kenya National Assembly, Kenya ICT Board and Google to digitize over 1,750 editions of parliamentary debates dating back over 50 years.

Nairobi, 5th July 2011 – Kenyans now have free online access to debates from the Hansards, a collection of debates that date back to the pre-independence Legislative Council. The earliest edition of the Hansard indexed is the Report of the Fourth Session of the Debates of the Legislative Council, dated 24th November, 1959.

Until now, these records have only been available to the public in hard copy as part of the public records of the Kenya National Assembly and the Kenya National Archives. Today, anyone around the world can now browse the Hansard online. Over 1750 editions can now be accessed and perused by the public, including historians and students.

“The initiative will enhance the capacity of the National Council for Law Reporting to manage and distribute public legal information, and to provide free public access to legacy legal information on a user-friendly interface,” said Mr. Michael Murungi, CEO and Editor of the National Council for Law Reporting. “It will helps us develop and implement an open, technology-neutral standard for the management of current and future public legal information.”

Denis Gikunda, Google Localization Manager for Africa explained: “Not only are the records of great historical value, but they are also a rich research resource, providing insight into, for example, how an issue like majimbo has been addressed through time, or to verify a particular Member of Parliament’s position on an issue. The initiative to digitize the Hansards is part of our continuing partnership with the National Council for Law Reporting (NCLR) and the Kenya National Assembly. We welcome interest from other government departments in the region who are similarly keen to make government content more accessible to their citizens.”

The debates that Kenyans will be able to access include:

Records of the Fourth Parliament debate on 9th June 1982 preceding the constitutional amendment making Kenya a de jure one party state.
The first recorded contribution by the first female MP to be elected to Parliament – Hon. Grace Onyango.
Debates about the compensation (or lack thereof) of freedom fighters that started as far back as the 1970s and continue today.
Records about the Nyayo Pioneer – Kenya government’s attempt at manufacturing a car locally.
Information on who composed the song Tawala Kenya.
The original debate around Hon. Ouko’s death in 1990, and the Ouko Commission report finally tabled in Parliament 10 years later.
Information about who exactly the ngorokos were.

Kenyans will also be able to confirm whether their MPs have spoken in Parliament about issues directly affecting them.

Since 2007, the Kenya National Assembly has been digitizing its proceedings and providing free access to them through its website www.parliament.go.ke. The National Council for Law Reporting, in conjunction with the Kenya National Assembly, converted all pre-2007 records into digital documents, and used Google’s unique indexing and search engine technology to provide access and a platform that makes it easy to search and browse, while retaining the record’s original look and feel.

This initiative, Open Access to Public Legal Information, is aimed at improving access to public information. While Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 establishes the citizen’s right of access to public information, actual access remains limited. The records of the Hansard and the Gazette can be accessed online at: www.kenyalaw.org, www.parliament.go.ke and www.google.co.ke.

This announcement comes after the digitization of over 100 years of the Kenya Gazette in April 2011, with historical copies dating back to 1906, for free, via Google Books. Other recent examples of Google’s ongoing global efforts to bring historical and cultural heritage online include partnerships with Yad Vashem, the Jerusalem-based archive of Holocaust materials, with 17 of the world’s most famous art museums, through the Google Art Project, and with many libraries that hold rare collections. In March this year, Google also announced a grant of $2.5million to digitize Nelson Mandela’s and Desmond Tutu’s archives.

About the National Council for Law Reporting

The National Council for Law Reporting (NCLR) is a state corporation under the Judiciary. Its mandate is to publish the Kenya Law Reports (which are Kenya’s official reports of the decisions of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the High Court of Kenya), to revise and publish the Laws of Kenya and to publish such other related publications.

About Google Inc.

Support for paid Android apps to consumers in 26 new African countries

2011-05-12T00:00:00Z

12th May 2011 – Today Google announced that Android Market will increase consumer access and developer support for paid applications in several new countries. From today, consumers from 99 new countries – including 26 African countries – will be able to purchase apps from Android Market. This latest expansion of Android Market means more applications – including games, social, and productivity apps – for consumers and more selling opportunities for developers in more countries.

Over the next few days, the number of countries where Android users can purchase priced apps will increase to 131 including the addition of South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria. Consumers from these newly supported countries will have access to over 200,000 free and paid apps in Android Market, which they can access directly from their Android-powered device.

Android Market was launched to help developers distribute mobile applications on a level playing field, while enabling users to find and download apps which leverage the unique capabilities of the Android platform. Today, we’re pleased to announce the expansion of Android Market’s offerings in these additional countries to deliver more apps for more people.

A full list of countries can be found here: https://www.google.com/support/androidmarket/developer/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=138294

1000 tech leaders and entrepreneurs gather at Google web event

2011-05-03T00:00:00Z

Training on Google’s latest tools highlights value of the internet for Nigeria

May 3, 2011 – Google’s G-Nigeria event in Lagos kicks off today, bringing together hundreds of tech savvy entrepreneurs, developers and journalists at a web and mobile conference at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island. Participants will discuss the future of web application development, receive training on Google’s products and learn about online business skills. G-Nigeria will feature some of Google’s best engineers, product managers, business managers and leadership who will be visiting Nigeria from around the globe.

The conference, themed ‘Local Growth, Global Impact’ confirms Google’s commitment to driving the web forward in Nigeria, and highlights the entrepreneurial opportunities presented by the Internet. Attendees will have the chance to explore Google’s open source technologies through a combination of tech talks, breakout sessions and codelabs run by engineers and business teams from across the globe. Key among the speakers will be Juliet Ehimuan, Country Lead, Google Nigeria, Joe Mucheru, Lead for Google Sub Saharan Africa, and Marcus Foster, Mobile Product Manager, Google UK.

Conference content will include Google’s developer and business technologies, ranging from Android, mobile development and AppEngine to Google Maps for business, website optimisation and online advertising. Google tools for the development of the news industry in Nigeria will also be highlighted, through tailor-made workshops for journalists and news webmasters.

Commenting on the event, Juliet Ehimuan, Google Lead for Nigeria, said,

“Now in its second year running, G-Nigeria is bringing together a thousand Nigerians who, like Google, are excited about the huge potential that the internet holds for this country. Our Google team is looking forward to engaging with innovative local tech, business and media communities, not only sharing their online expertise but learning about the Nigerian landscape. G-Nigeria is a key event for building a vibrant and useful Nigerian internet ecosystem, for the benefit of Nigerians.”

This conference is the latest in a series of interactive forums and tech days that Google has been holding across Africa over the past eighteen months, to promote innovation and business in the region. To learn more about the conference, visit the G-Nigeria website.

Google highlights web opportunities in Ghana as tech leaders and entrepreneurs meet

2011-04-28T00:00:00Z

April 28, 2011 – Google’s G-Ghana event in Accra kicks off today, bringing together hundreds of tech savvy entrepreneurs, developers and journalists at a web and mobile conference at the Alisa Hotel, North Ridge. Participants will discuss the future of web application development, receive training on Google’s products and learn about online business skills. G-Ghana will feature some of Google’s best engineers, product managers, business managers and leadership who will be visiting Ghana from around the globe.

The conference, themed ‘Local Growth, Global Impact’ confirms Google’s commitment to driving the web forward in Ghana, and highlights the entrepreneurial opportunities presented by the Internet. Attendees will have the chance to explore Google’s open source technologies through a combination of tech talks, breakout sessions and codelabs run by engineers and business teams from across the globe. Key among the speakers will be Estelle Akofio Sowah, Country Lead, Google Ghana, Joe Mucheru, Lead for Google Sub Saharan Africa, and Marcus Foster, Mobile Product Manager, Google UK.

Conference content will include Google’s developer and business technologies, ranging from Android, mobile development and AppEngine to Google Maps for business, website optimisation and online advertising. Google tools for the development of the news industry in Ghana will also be highlighted, through tailor-made workshops for journalists and news webmasters.

Commenting on the event, Estelle Akofio-Sowah, Google Lead for Ghana, said, “We’re delighted to be kicking off our second G-Ghana event today. G-Ghana will help raise awareness among Ghanaian web developers, consumers and businesses about the opportunities and value of the Internet. It’s also a great opportunity for Google to learn about the exciting developments already happening in Ghana”.

This conference is the latest in a series of interactive forums and tech days that Google has been holding across Africa this year, to promote innovation and business in the region. To learn more about the conference, visit the G-Ghana website.

Google Announces Sub-Saharan Africa Android Developer Challenge

2011-04-14T00:00:00Z

African developers to compete to build innovative local Android mobile applications

April 14, 2011 – Every day more than 300,000 Android devices are activated globally. A growing number of these mobile device activations are in markets across Africa, making local African mobile content more relevant and important than ever before. In recognition of this, Google today announced its Google Android Developer Challenge, inviting talented and creative developers in sub-Saharan Africa to design and build original Android applications for mobile phones that will delight users.

Categories for entries include entertainment, media and games; social networking and communications; and productivity, tools and lifestyle. Winners will each receive an Android phone and $25,000 (USD).

“In the past year alone, we have met with over 10,000 developer and techies across Sub Saharan Africa. We are continually impressed by the ingenuity and enthusiasm of this community to solve real problems with technology,” says Bridgette Sexton, Program Manager at Google. “At every Google event in Africa, Android is the most popular topic – as Android users multiply, so does the appeal for developers to build apps on this free open source platform.”

Participants can submit applications via the challenge website by July 1, 2011. The winning application will be announced on September 12, 2011.

A number of Android Developer Challenge events will also be held across the region. Go to the website for more information.

Student Ambassador Program launched in Nigeria and Ghana

2011-04-13T00:00:00Z

April 13, 2011 – Google today announced the launch of The Google Student Ambassador Program in Nigeria and Ghana as part of their commitment to empower the African academic community with knowledge, infrastructure and tools to help access information easily and effectively. The program invites students enrolled in African Universities to represent Google for one academic year tenure on their respective campuses.

This year, 27 Ambassadors were selected from 8 Universities in Nigeria; the University of Lagos, University of Benin, University of Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan, Bayero University, Covenant University and Benson Idahosa University. All the new Ambassadors attended the Google Ambassador Welcome Day, held in Lagos, which was a mixture of fun team building activities and training on various Google products and tools.

Speaking about the Programme, Google Nigeria Country Manager, Juliet Ehimuan said, “The Ambassadors are group of motivated and bright students, who are eager to set the standard as the first group of African Ambassadors for Google in their region. They understand the value of the internet for students, and are committed to educating others about useful Google products – especially collaborative tools – to help make their fellow students’ lives easier.”

Google also selected 20 Ambassadors from 5 universities in Ghana; Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, University of Ghana (Legon & Business School), University of Cape Coast, Ashesi University and The Central University College. A similar Ambassador Welcome Day was also held in Accra to introduce the students to the program.

The Student Ambassadors, with vibrant personalities and a sound familiarity with technology, will work closely with the Google teams to organise events and help raise awareness among African students about the opportunities and value of Google and the Internet, in a bid to make a significant impact in their respective universities.

Speaking about the new initiative, the Google ambassadors said:

Chukwuwezam Obanor, studying Electrical Electronics Engineering at University of Lagos, Nigeria:

“I would like to be at the forefront of the cause to promote various internet tools and thereby help people understand how the internet can be useful to their businesses and every sphere of their lives. There are several Google tools, which can be used to the benefit of my university. One of which are the Google Webmaster tools that enhance websites and optimize them for search engines. Use of Webmaster tools will help to improve the university’s website making it easier to access and navigate.”

Ekomwenrenern Etinosa Jeremiah, studying Electrical Electronics Engineering at University of Benin:

“I believe that through learning new technical skills in areas such as web development, programming and power generation, I can in my own little way effect change in important areas in my country. Google Apps Education is a broad IT solution that schools can use to bring communication and collaboration tools to the entire academic community for free. Also, Google tools could help to improve communication amongst students in my university and promote teaching… I intend to become a Google ambassador because I am passionate about technology and would like to bring Google products and programs to my peers and university mates.”

Opuku Papa Kwabena, studying Computer Science at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology:

“I am very enthusiastic about technology and the promise it holds for the future. And so too, I notice, is Google; the company’s technological endeavors speak volumes about their keen interest in information technology. I find Google’s vast array of products both useful and fun. I once tracked my journey from Accra to Kumasi using Google Maps just for the thrill. When I found out about Google’s search engine’s query refinement capabilities (such as the ‘intext’ and ‘inurl’ commands), it made my searching the web exponentially more efficient; suddenly it became possible for me to locate specific resources online with impressive precision. I have even used Google Translate to make sure that I spelled my name correctly in Japanese Katakana characters.”

Barbara Gyasi, studying Computer Engineering at University of Ghana, Legon:

“As a young lady studying Computer Engineering in the university, I have a strong desire to acquire knowledge in Computing in every possible way and to use that knowledge to positively influence others around me. I have always been fascinated with Google and how its determined young people are striving to make a difference in the technological world. I have been waiting for an opportunity to be a part of this force that is stirring the whole world.”

To learn more about the Ambassador and other university programs, visit: www.google.com/africa/universityprograms

Google Launches African Tech Incubator

2011-03-22T00:00:00Z

Cape Town-Based “Umbono” Programme to Help Drive Innovation in Region

Cape Town – March 22, 2011 – In keeping with its ongoing commitment to foster innovation in Africa, Google is excited to announce the launch of Umbono, its new technology incubator, which will be based in Cape Town, South Africa. Bringing together seed capital, Google mentorship, angel investors, local tech stars, entrepreneurs and business leaders, the Umbono programme will help selected start-up teams transform their ideas into companies.

As part of its goal to strengthen the web ecosystem across Africa, Google hopes that Umbono will further encourage the growth of the developer community and support the country’s already flourishing tech sector.

“The South African tech scene is incredibly dynamic, particularly in Cape Town,” said Luke Mckend, Google South Africa Country Manager. “We’ve seen some terrific start-ups come from this environment, companies like Yola, MXit and Twangoo. Google’s latest investment with Umbono is a great extension of our overall strategy in the region to strengthen the web ecosystem.”

For six months, teams will enjoy free office space and bandwidth, in addition to the US$25,000 to $50,000 in funding they’ll receive from Umbono’s panel of angel investors and Google. Throughout the programme, teams will not only benefit from local connections, but also from the extensive mentorship network of Google experts who can provide guidance on issues ranging from product design and commercialisation to legal incorporation and valuation.

“Our mentor base is a key component of the Umbono programme,” said Johanna Kollar, Umbono Programme Manager. “Our experts – Googlers from around the world who are volunteering their time – are passionate about technology in Africa and will be able to help teams with the challenges they face, whether it be on the product, business or technical front.”

Community integration is essential to successful incubator programmes, and Google is collaborating with the Silicon Cape Initiative and the Bandwidth Barn, Cape Town’s premier IT networking organisation and original business incubator, respectively. These local leaders will ensure that Umbono’s teams are well positioned to succeed. “Google’s Umbono programme is a welcome addition to Cape Town’s tech scene – there’s a lot of talent and enthusiasm for technology here, and many just need that window of opportunity,” said Justin Spratt, board member for Silicon Cape.

Applications will be live on the Umbono website from March 22, and the programme is open to all South African residents. The deadline for first round applicants is April 15, 2011, but the website will continue to accept applications from interested candidates.

To learn more and apply, go to www.google.co.za/umbono.