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Date
: 13/10/2003
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Title: Shilowa: Innovation Hub sod-turning ceremony
ADDRESS BY GAUTENG PREMIER MBHAZIMA SHILOWA AT THE INNOVATION HUB
SOD-TURNING CEREMONY, Pretoria, 13 October 2003
Master of Ceremonies;
MEC Trevor Fowler;
CEO of Blue IQ;
CEO of the Innovation Hub;
Sappi Representative;
Distinguished Guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen
Today's occasion represents yet another milestone in our ongoing
efforts to realise our vision of transforming Gauteng into a
globally competitive smart centre.
Innovation in science and technology is proving to be a key factor
in the growth of the global economy and in improving the quality of
life.
We have already seen during the past few years how science and
technology innovation has helped to improve productivity and
enabled us to solve some of the most challenging problems that have
faced humanity.
As the science and technology revolution is continuing, every day
we see new inventions which enable us to use the earth's scarce
resources more responsibly and protect the environment.
Our challenge as the Gauteng Provincial Government is to ensure
that our province stays in touch with this unfolding revolution and
that our scientists and technologists continue to shape it and
contribute towards finding smarter ways of doing things and
preserving the environment.
High-tech industries, especially the information and communication
technology and biotechnology, have over the years demonstrated the
potential to grow faster and contribute greatly to sustainable
economic growth, job creation and the promotion of entrepreneurship
in Gauteng.
The Innovation Hub is one of the initiatives which will enable us
to take advantage of new technologies to create jobs, stimulate
economic growth, bridge the digital divide and improve the overall
quality of life of our people.
The Innovation Hub aims to create a unique space where high-tech
entrepreneurs, world-class business, education, research and
venture capital will meet, network and prosper to enhance the
innovative capacity and economic development of the Gauteng
Province.
This initiative has benefits for both consumers and business
enterprises. For consumers, the Innovation Hub will provide more
choices, greater convenience, customised products, and lower prices
of products and services.
For business, the Innovation Hub will serve as a catalyst for
continued improvement and creativity in the South African
technology sector. The Hub will provide an environment that will
spur technological development, improve the economic efficiency and
productivity of existing sectors and stimulate the development of
new products and new businesses in Gauteng.
The Innovation Hub will create a vibrant incubation programme and
continuously improve enterprise support. The Hub will also give
effect to our commitment to black economic empowerment by
supporting the incubation of black high-tech companies and
entrepreneurs.
In 2001 we launched the first phase of the innovation hub, which
has been housed at the CSIR. Significant progress has been made
since the launch and we are now ready to move to the next phases of
the project.
A pilot incubation programme with a business incubator for
high-tech start-up companies is now in place and a number of
companies have already benefited from the programme.
A coach-lab leadership programme for post-graduate students to work
on real-time industry projects mentored by industry experts is up
and running.
Enterprise support and networking initiatives that will create a
connected hub community with links to world-class academic and
research capacity are in place.
A number of lucrative deals have already emerged from the pilot
incubator. Expertron has concluded a 30% shareholding deal with
Grintek. The company invented a new information security solution
product called Cell-ID(r) and has been granted a lucrative contract
for the product by the ERP.com group of companies.
The Naledi3d Factory successfully established an interactive
virtual reality development facility in Uganda that uses
three-dimensional interactive virtual reality models to promote
education in developing communities. This has generated interest
from countries in Europe.
These are just a few of the things that the Innovation Hub has
already achieved during the pilot phase. They show beyond doubt
that the project is viable and necessary for Gauteng to play an
active role in the unfolding science and technology
revolution.
Our efforts to promote innovation in science and technology have
convinced many companies that Gauteng is indeed a better place in
which to do business. Many world-acclaimed companies are choosing
our province as the suitable location where they would manufacture
their products for both the domestic and foreign markets.
Leading automotive manufacturing companies are producing world
class products from our province, thanks to the work that we are
doing through the AIDC.
We all know that BMW makes the best 3 series sedans, which are
being sold all over the world, from its award-winning plant in
Rosslyn.
The Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has recently announced a
billion rand export programme.
The choice of Gauteng by world-acclaimed companies as a suitable
location for high value added manufacturing is confirmation that
our province is becoming a globally competitive smart centre.
However, for us to continue being the preferred location for smart
industries we need to produce a new cadre of knowledge workers and
science and technology experts that can play a role in further
developing the sector.
The innovation hub will, in collaboration with higher learning
institutions, identify young South Africans with the right minds
and attitudes for science and technology and help them to develop
appropriate skills.
Our initiatives such as the mathematics, science and technology
programme and Gauteng Online will also contribute towards the
development of the necessary skills base of knowledge workers that
is essential to the growth of a strong local high-tech industry,
which will give effect to our vision of a smart province.
For more information contact Thabo Masebe on 082 410 8087
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial
Government,
13 October 2003
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