Addressing the 2021 State of the Nation Address (Sona), President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that his administration is conceptualizing a number of post-apartheid smart cities in provinces around the country.
Ramaphosa said that these infrastructure projects form a key part of the government’s Covid-19 recovery plan.
Read more: ZA: Smart Cities, Infrastructure and Highway upgrades on the way
COVID-19 has highlighted underlying vulnerabilities that undermine South African citizens’ quality of life.
These include growing inequality, limited and/or aging infrastructure, and a shortage of public resources to address these challenges – but applying smart city principles to all cities, and not only flagship projects, can help address some of these vulnerabilities.
Read more: ZA: Why we should be making cities smart, rather than building new ones
With the government now firmly focused on economic recovery, with planned infrastructure spend and job creation top of mind, there is renewed emphasis on skills development and community upliftment.
Yet key to this recovery and economic stimulation will be revisiting digital transformation objectives, and empowering public sector employees and leaders with digital tools and platforms that introduce efficiencies…while spurring much needed innovation.
Read more: A digital transformation roadmap to reimagine and elevate brand South Africa
One of two local tech start-ups will walk home with the bragging rights of being a Smart City trailblazer when Joburg announces winners of its maiden Innovation Awards later this month.
Vying for top honours is Malii Fintech and Speakk, both run by young tech boffins at the centre of pioneering innovative digital solutions against the scourge of Covid-19.
Read more: ZA: ‘Smart City’ mulls over announcement of tech boffins with best Covid-19 response
The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated a migration from physical work spaces in many sectors of the economy to online, digital services, supported by staff working from home. Parts of the economy such as mining, manufacturing and hospitality still require workers to be physically present. But other sectors have discovered that virtual platforms are effective substitutes for offices.
Online, however, requires digital infrastructure and services in information and communication technology (ICT). Digital infrastructure is essential to meet the new demand for virtual services as quickly and cheaply as possible. On top of this the potential of digital technologies to support economic growth is apparent. Many developing countries have comprehensive national strategies and initiatives to foster data mining, digital intelligence, e-government and e-commerce. These include India and China.
Read more: South Africa has failed to harness the digital revolution: how it can fix the problem