The City is looking for smart ways to detect, track and predict the spread of Covid- 19 while also looking for solutions to help the most vulnerable residents.
Digital, technological and smart innovation spaces have been among some of the more important services accessed by people across the world during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Two tech startups have the opportunity to win R100 000 each in the Smart City Innovation Challenge, an initiative developed by the City of Johannesburg in partnership with Tshimologong Innovation Precinct.
In an official statement, the City of Johannesburg explains the aim of the innovative challenge.
Read more: ZA: City of Joburg launches Smart City Innovation Challenge for tech startups
The use of video-conferencing and virtual meeting platforms have proved to be a key value-add for how the Department of e-Government intends to carry out its functions in future.
This is the word from Gauteng finance MEC and e-government department head Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, stating how her department is navigating the COVID-19 lockdown.
Read more: ZA: Gauteng e-government dept embraces virtual amid lockdown
In the past weeks, we have been experiencing a new way of living, working, and thinking. When the State of Disaster was announced as the Covid-19 crisis hit South Africa, a new set of rules began to form, and with it a new set of questions and challenges.
South Africans may have understood what needed to be done, but we also understood one rule would be almost impossible for the majority of our country - “social distancing” or, as we prefer, physical distancing - and the disparity between those who can, and those who cannot.
Read more: ZA: Smart cities in the time of physical distancing
The South African government’s handling of its response to COVID-19 is highly commendable. If anything, its response has highlighted the very real need to improve access and connectivity for citizens across all levels of our society. It has shown that accelerating South Africa’s digital service delivery strategy is becoming an increasingly urgent aspect of just how to embrace doing things differently.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND UNIVERSAL ACCESS
The National Development Plan 2030 (NDP) published in 2012 states that by 2030, ICT will underpin the development of a dynamic and connected information society and a vibrant knowledge economy that is more inclusive and prosperous. A seamless information infrastructure will be universally available and accessible and will meet the needs of citizens, business and the public sector, providing access to the creation and consumption of a wide range of converged services required for effective economic and social participation – at a cost and quality at least equal to South Africa's main peers and competitors.
Read more: OPINION: Accelerating SA’s digital service delivery strategy is urgent