Mark Shuttleworth

It's a potent symbol of unity and progress. It's the only six-coloured national flag in the world. It's also one of the youngest, yet whatever shape it takes - and it's taken more than any other national symbol - it's instantly recognisable to South Africans everywhere.

Nearly 30 000 people contributed to the crowdfunding drive to develop the Ubuntu Edge, a smartphone running the Ubuntu Unity OS. It showed people were hungry for something new. That phone is still in development phase, but until it comes to market, say hallo to the Ubuntu phone.

Nearly 30 000 people contributed to the crowdfunding drive to develop the Ubuntu Edge, a smartphone running the Ubuntu Unity OS. It showed people were hungry for something new. That phone is still in development phase, but until it comes to market, say hallo to the Ubuntu phone.

Nelson Mandela taught us not to let our circumstances stop us from achieving greatness. Mandla Maseko is doing just that. A part-time DJ from Mabopane who had to put his studies on hold because of financial constraints, is to become the first black astronaut.

Nelson Mandela taught the world plenty of things; notably, don't let your circumstances stop you from achieving greatness. Mandla Maseko is doing just that. A part-time DJ from Mabopane who had to put his studies on hold because of financial constraints, he is to be the first black astronaut.

It's a long way from Mabopane to outer space, but Mandla Maseko has strapped on his boots and is on the way there. The young DJ will be the first black African astronaut, after beating a million or so contestants to win the global Axe Apollo Space Academy competition.

Engineering whizzkid Siyabulela Lethuxolo Xuza is a young man with a big future - still in his early twenties, he's won gold medals in international science competitions, been accepted to study at Harvard, and is now a role model for South Africa’s aspiring scientists.
• SA women lead the way in science

Global payments company Visa is to acquire Cape Town-based Fundamo, a leading platform provider for mobile financial services in developing countries, for $110-million.

Fundamo, a South African-based company specialising in mobile phone-based financial services, has been bought by Visa for US$110-million (R741-million) – a deal which could draw other multinationals to invest in locally developed technology.
• Mobile money grows in Africa

The newly launched Cape Town Open Education Declaration is part of a growing worldwide movement that makes educational material more accessible by posting them freely on the internet.