We are The Grand Geeks
The Grand Geeks is a content portal and community, founded by Professor Barry Dwolatzky, which explores the Digital Economy in Africa and navigates the continent’s progress through digital transformation and the approaching Fourth Industrial Revolution through a uniquely African lens.
The website is host to podcasts, interviews, webinars, articles and white papers that expand on all aspects of digitalisation including computing, software engineering, digital technologies and policies. Through this content-rich journey, we unpack the history and iconic paths travelled to develop the digital sector in Africa and analyse current developments, with a focus on the possibilities of the future and what Africa’s future leaders can achieve.
The Grand Geeks aim to nurture and ‘pass the baton’ to the next generation of dreamers looking to build impactful careers in the digital sector. Thought leaders and veterans of the Digital Economy in South Africa and the rest of the African continent have come together as “The Grand Geeks” to create and curate high quality content which we share via this website.
We hope you find value in this expansive environment for shared learning and exchange.
I am Barry Dwolatzky, usually known as “Prof Barry”. I’m an Emeritus Professor of Software Engineering at Wits University in Johannesburg South Africa. I’m the Director of the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) at Wits and Founder of the University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Preciinct in Braamfontein. I am the original “Grand Geek”, having been given this title by one of the founders of Geekulchar – an entrepreneurship support programme. I also produce and host the podcast series called Optimizing.
I am Mark Harris, former General Manager of IBM South Africa and CEO of Kagiso Media. I am now CEO of Altron Nexus. I have devoted my working life to growing the digital economy in South Africa and Africa. I am passionate about developing people to their full potential.
