Cisco invests R140 million into SA digital future

Clayton Naidoo, general manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Cisco

The MoU forms part of Cisco's Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) programme and contributes to South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030. Cisco CDA is a global programme aimed at accelerating national digitisation agendas to support job creation, innovation and help drive economic growth and sustainable and equitable communities.

Since the launch of the CDA initiative four years ago, Cisco has worked together with a number of countries on projects that have demonstrated the benefits of digital adoption to the country, including the delivery of smart cities and utility grids and the digitisation of hospitals, schools and ports.

Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams said, “The ICT Ministry has been mandated by President Cyril Ramaphosa to lead SA's fourth industrial revolution (4IR) efforts. How we respond to the 4IR must be integrated and comprehensive, involving all players from the private and public sector, academia, government and civil society. It is for this reason that the department led the Coordinate.Collaborate.Execute Industry 4.0 engagement forum in October 2018 to harmonise all efforts aimed at adequately preparing South Africa for the 4IR. Working with our partners we will build a capable talent pool that is equipped with the requisite skills and opportunities, making sure that the workforce is ready for the revolution.”

“At Cisco, we see technology at the heart of our digital future, driving inclusive economic growth, creating jobs and igniting innovation. Since opening our first office in Johannesburg 30 years ago, Cisco has been committed to South Africa, working on projects that make the benefits of the Internet and technology available to broad groups of the society. With the launch of the South Africa CDA programme, we open a new chapter in our long-standing partnership, creating value for the country, its citizens and businesses,” Naidoo added.

The MoU outlines three specific areas where Cisco can best contribute to South Africa’s digitization objectives. These include skills and talent development, job creation and national cyber security.