The Grand Geeks – Page 2 – A Content Hub for the Leaders of Africa's Digital Future

In Conversation with Tiyani Nghonyama

Tiyani Nghonyama finished high school in 2010. Nine years later he was named by the IITPSA as its “South African IT Personality of the Year” for 2019. He is, so far, the youngest guest we’ve had in Season 2 of the Optimizing podcast and yet, in terms of his impact on future digital leaders, he is quite possibly one of the most influential.

In Conversation with Nomso Kana

Nomso Faith Kana is a nuclear scientist and founder of two startups. These are “Sun n Shield 84 Technologies” which manufactures fibre optic cable, and “Blaze Away SA”, a business strategy consulting firm. She was also invited to participate as a commissioner on President Ramaphas’s Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (or 4IR). She has worked hard to encourage young Africans – particularly women -to become involved in STEM.

In Conversation with Clifford De Wit

Clifford De Wit graduated from Wits University as an Electrical Engineer in 1996. He joined Microsoft in 2000 and from 2009 took on a senior executive role. In this role, amongst other things, he developed and launched the SA BizSpark start-up program, which mentored over 3000 tech start-up’s, manged the Microsoft relationship with South African universities, managed the DevOps business in South Africa, and ran and keynoted several conferences including TechEd, DevDays and Build Tour. After almost 18 years with Microsoft Cliff decided to build a start-up of his own and in his current role, he is the CTO and co-founder of a new digital business.

Running Elections in the 21st Century

The 2020 US Election has again raised questions about why digital transformation hasn't embraced national electoral systems. This opinion piece by Prof Barry Dwolatzky explores E-Voting and I-Voting in the 21st Century.

In Conversation with Xoliswa Mahlangu

Xoliswa Mahlangu (“Xoli”) works as a Computing Curriculum Developer and Technology Integration Specialist at Future Nation Schools. Her personal mission is to demystify tech and make it more fun and accessible to kids of all ages. She is a Microsoft Certified Innovative Educator Expert and has represented South Africa in the international educator exchange. She was featured as Tech Magazine’s Mover and Shaker and has spoken at numerous youth and women in tech events. Xoli has an MEng in software engineering from Wits University.

Interview: Bringing fast reliable internet to South Africa

Post author:Barry Dwolatzky
Post published:30th Oct 2020
Post category:Video
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Aki Anastasiou speaks to Mark Harris .... For companies who had a digital-first approach to business in place, or were agile enough to rapidly implement one, the shift from “business as usual” to the “new normal” was taken in its stride. Businesses which were not able to quickly adapt and did not have connectivity plans in place, however, did not fare as well.

In Conversation with Tim Jenkin

Post author:Barry Dwolatzky
Post published:27th Oct 2020
Post category:Podcast
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Tim Jenkin is a political and social activist and a unique individual. He is the author of the book “Escape from Pretoria” which tells the amazing true story of his escape in the 1970’s from Pretoria's maximum security prison. He developed cutting-edge data communication technology in the 1980’s for the ANC’s underground. He is currently involved in Community Exchange which is paving the way for a world without money.

In Conversation with Pieter de Villiers

Post author:Barry Dwolatzky
Post published:20th Oct 2020
Post category:Podcast
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Twenty years ago Pieter De Villiers and his co-founders came up with a tech innovation that was a world first. It literally went on to change the world of digital technology. They launched the company Clickatell which now has offices around the world, including Silicon Valley, although most of its developers still sit in Cape Town. Apart from being a successful South African tech entrepreneur, Pieter has worked really hard to encourage and develop local innovation and entrepreneurship. He is also working on an initiative to grow digital skills in South Africa.

Can an Innovation Hub be virtual?

Post author:Barry Dwolatzky
Post published:15th Oct 2020
Post category:Article
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Innovation and entrepreneurship depends on social networks. Innovation Hubs are physical spaces which aim to draw like-minded innovators into chance encounters. But what about the situation - which we are now experiencing - where physical proximity is not possible. Can we achieve these same chance encounters in a virtual innovation hub?

In Conversation with Mark Harris

Post author:Barry Dwolatzky
Post published:13th Oct 2020
Post category:Podcast
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Mark Harris is one of the most respected leaders in the South African digital sector. He entered the sector in 1981 as an engineer at IBM. He remained with IBM for over 30 years rising through the ranks to become Head of IBM SA and then Vice President of business development for the Middle East and Africa region. In 2013 he left IBM to become CEO of Kagiso Media. In 2019 he joined Altron Nexus as its CEO.

In Conversation with … Mteto Nyati

Post author:Barry Dwolatzky
Post published:6th Oct 2020
Post category:Podcast
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Mteto Nyati, CEO of Altron, is in conversation with Prof Barry Dwolatzky and Kerryn Gammie. Mteto, who previously headed Microsoft SA and MTN SA, shares his thoughts on how to lead and how to inspire those who you lead, in the context of South Africa’s digital economy. He also talks about some of the important lessons he has learnt in his own life journey. In 2019 Mteto became a best-selling author with the release of his book “Betting on a Darkie”. Don’t miss this entertaining and inspiring episode of the Optimizing podcast.

In Conversation with … Kent Beck

Post author:Barry Dwolatzky
Post published:23rd Sep 2020
Post category:Podcast
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Kent Beck is an American software engineer, writer and thought leader. He is best known as the creator of the eXtreme Programming (XP) and was one of 17 signatories of…

Webinar: Narrowing the Digital Divide

Post author:Barry Dwolatzky
Post published:18th Sep 2020
Post category:Video
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This Webinar, co-moderated by Prof Barry Dwolatzky, and sponsored by Nedbank, brought 4 experts together to discuss "Narrowing the Digital Divide". Keynote address by Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams. Panelists: Arthur Goldstuck, Luci Abrhams, Mark Harris and Lance Williams.

In Conversation with … Tshilidzi Marwala

Post author:Barry Dwolatzky
Post published:7th Sep 2020
Post category:Podcast
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Professor Tshilidzi Marwala is a South African engineer, AI expert and academic leader. In this conversation with Prof Barry Dwolatzky and Kerryn Gammie he talks about his early days and…

Introduction to Optimizing Season 2

Post author:Barry Dwolatzky
Post published:1st Sep 2020
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Season 2 of the "Optimizing - Leading Africa's Digital Future" has the subtitle "Passing and Receiving the Baton". History is a relay race in which we receive a legacy of…

Curated Content for Africa's Future Digital Leaders

4IR Strategy Gap

Season 2 Epilogue