Sibonginkosi Mabika

The Government Technology (GovTech) hosted by the State IT Agency (SITA) is underway at the Durban International Convention Centre under the theme ‘Digital transformation: Gearing towards the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and beyond’.

The four-day annual event gathers representatives from government and industry to share information, knowledge and professional experiences in serving citizens better through the use of information and technologies.

South African communications minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, addressed delegates on Monday during the opening plenary. She proposed that innovators should be included in the law-making of the country to grow the economy.

“The real innovators should be the ones that come and help us to pave the way forward on legislations and policies and we really need to reach out. You will never see innovators coming and seating with us here because all they are fascinated about is their device and what they are working on,” said Ndabeni-Abrahams.

The minister told GovTech that it was important to go where the innovators are instead of just focusing on “professional hawkers”.

“As lawmakers, we don’t know it all. You as industry players must tell us your challenges and we will tell you what we want to achieve and then together we will find each other and deliver each other’s aspirations,” she added.

Aiming to share information about the government’s critical milestones and the country’s journey to digital transformation, Microsoft Managing Director Lillian Barnard spoke on the role of educational platforms in achieving the access requirements for the future of the education system.

“We need to infuse curriculum today with some those basic skills so that by the time students graduate they come to the job environment with the basic skills that will make them relevant,” said Barnard.

The SITA GovTech 2019 event continues until the 30th of October 2019.