Page 2 - KZN Business Sense 10.6

INSPIRING GROWTH, GRATITUDE, AND

ACHIEVEMENT

his edition of Business On a personal level, celebrating is profiled on page two for her The Minara Chamber
Sense focuses on celebrating achievements reinforces self- efforts in enabling accessibility of Commerce recognised
Tsuccess — a practice confidence and resilience. It reminds for visually impaired individuals outstanding businesses and
essential for personal and individuals of their capabilities, ■ Farah Goolam from Invest individuals at its annual gala
organisational growth. Celebrating empowering them to face future Durban is spotlighted on page six dinner, while the iLembe
achievements fosters motivation, challenges with optimism. Chamber announced the KWAZULU-NATAL
boosts morale, and reinforces Moreover, success stories can We also congratulate Cox Yeats winners of its Entrepreneur
positive behaviour. Recognising uplift and inspire others, spreading Attorneys on the inclusion of competition. See page fourteen BUSINESS CHAMBERS
accomplishments, whether big positivity within communities. many of their lawyers in the 2025 for more.
or small, validates the hard work These stories demonstrate edition of The Best Lawyers in COUNCIL:
and dedication invested, while what is possible while offering South Africa™. See page seven for Ultimately, celebrating success
providing a sense of fulfilment. more details. is about more than the moment; Chairperson: Paul Ngema
opportunities to reflect on lessons it cultivates a mindset of growth,
In the workplace, celebrating learned, fostering continuous The glamorous grand finale of gratitude, and determination. Physical Address:
success enhances team cohesion improvement. the annual KZN Top Business Both Professor Theuns Pelser and
by encouraging camaraderie and Women initiative, celebrating Jacquie Bhana share reflections Queens Court Building,
collaboration. Acknowledging This issue highlights several successful women, took place on their 2024 achievements and 5 Samora Machel Street,
milestones inspires employees to remarkable success stories: in November. Find coverage on their aspirations for 2025 on Durban, 4001
take pride in their contributions, ■ Amanda Swana, Chief pages eight and nine. The KZN pages twelve and thirteen.
leading to increased productivity Executive Officer of Powerpoint Top Business Leaders Portfolio, a Tel: +27 (0)31 305 9867
and innovation. Recognition Lifestyles, is featured on the highlight of the year for KZN Top As the festive season approaches,
also sets a benchmark for others, front page and in the article on Business, celebrated numerous we wish you well and look E-mail: info@nafcockzn.org.za
motivating them to strive for page three leaders in the province alongside forward to achieving and
excellence and align their efforts ■ Shakila Maharaj, founder the launch of the IBV Privé celebrating new milestones of Website: www.kznchamber.co.za
with organisational goals. of ShazaCin Accessible Media, Lounge. See page ten. success in 2025. 

INNOVATING ACCESSIBILITY IN VISUAL MEDIA

hakila Maharaj, founder she has received recognition to the visual world through content, scripting descriptions for TIA-CSIR Science Forum2024,
and managing director of globally and locally for her language, providing the same dialogue-free segments, selecting Best Producer of Inclusion in
SShazaCin Accessible Media, disability rights enforcement. She degree of immersion as sighted suitable narrators, and integrating Film Power 24 International Film
has made significant strides in says, “Whenever I come across people. “The visual made verbal” narration into the original Festival, Winner of the AFD
creating accessibility for visually something that liberates me as a is facilitated through language to soundtrack without disrupting the (French Development Agency)
impaired individuals. blind person, I want to share it.” communicate visual events, either film’s audio balance. Digital Challenge 2023, Durban
in real time or pre-recorded and is Tourism Mayor’s Exceptional
Shakila is a visually impaired Through her innovative startup designed to enhance accessibility This synchronisation feature
social entrepreneur, innovator, ShazaCin Accessible Media, across various media formats. extends beyond cinemas to Achiever award 2023, Winner of
a recognised global disability launched in 2020, which is South Working with local talent on local television, computers, and other the Irish Tech Challenge South
strategist and a member of the Africa based and a first in Africa, content, ShazaCin provides audio visual media, making describeAT Africa 2022, recipient of the Barlow
Presidential Working Group the company is recognised as description in English and local a versatile tool. The app offers World Award 2022, Technology
on Disability. She has a master’s a pioneer in the accessibility languages to diverse industries. visually impaired users immersive Innovation Agency (TIA) Tourism
degree and is a graduate of sector. ShazaCin has developed a virtual tours and on-site guidance Innovation Award (TTGIIP) 2022,
Columbia University New groundbreaking mobile app called The describeAT app is for exploring real-world locations finalist and recipient of the South
York, USA and is a registered describeAT, which harnesses undergoing continuous independently. ShazaCin audio African Brewery Foundation
organisational psychologist with audio description to bridge the gap improvements to align with describes tours for art galleries, (SABF) Disability Innovation
the Health Professional’s Council between visual media and visually advancements in artificial museums and heritage sites, Empowerment Award 2021, and
of South Africa. impaired audiences. intelligence (AI). One of its most and describes live events in real is a proud partner of the Durban
remarkable features is its ability time such as theatre, concerts SmartXchange incubation
Shakila’s remarkable accomplish- Audio Description, the core of to synchronise audio descriptions and sports. Additionally, the programme 2020.
ments over the years can be ShazaCin’s work, is an oral and with video content that uses app is enhancing accessibility to
described as contributing towards literary art form, that creates access carefully scripted and narrated traditionally visual mediums, such Additionally, Shakila’s advocacy
creating an inclusive society and for visually impaired persons descriptions of visual content, as illustrated books, by providing has significantly raised awareness
integrated seamlessly into video audio-based narratives. about audio description in Africa,
soundtracks. For instance, in a region that previously lagged in
cinemas, on a cell phone or other The describeAT app is free this field. Through collaborations
device, the app “listens” to the to download on both Android with broadcasters and film
film being screened and syncs and iOS platforms as well as is commissions, ShazaCin has not
the audio description track to downloadable from https://app. only delivered accessible media but
the precise moment in the film. shazacin.com. While the app’s also has provided employment and
Users listen on headphones and focus is on accessibility, future trained individuals to create these
follow independently. This ensures funding will likely come from services, thereby fostering industry
uninterrupted narration, even if content providers who upload growth and inclusion.
the user steps out momentarily and their material onto the app, Shakila’s innovative approach is
returns later. especially as legal frameworks
worldwide increasingly mandate redefining how visually impaired
ShazaCin’s dedication to quality accessibility in media. audiences engage with the visual
and compliance with international world, proving that technology can
standards is evident in their ShazaCin Accessible Media’s truly level the playing field. 
meticulous approach to creating achievements have garnered local
audio description soundtracks. and global recognition including
Shakila Maharaj and ShazaCin Accessible Media have garnered local and best “social disability innovation”, For more information visit:
global recognition. These involve studying visual www.shazacin.com/

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