Authorities have estimated that by 2025 more than 50% of GDP for industrialised countries will be directly related to the "digital economy". This is according to Professor Barry Dwolatzky, director of the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE).
Dwolatzky says digital technology and content underpin almost every aspect of social and economic activity in the 21st Century. From mining to agriculture, banking to entertainment, health to digital hardware and software these all occupy an increasingly important place in everyday life.
This is the influence behind the establishment of the Tshimologong Precinct on the University of the Witwatersrand's premises in Braamfontein. The precinct is part of an ambitious ICT cluster development programme that aims to turn the suburb of Braamfontein into the new technical heart of SA. Championing this project is Wits University's Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE), under the leadership of Dwolatzky.
Dwolatzky says this cause has been a concept for a few years now and it is finally being implemented.
"The aim of the Tshimologong Precinct project is to establish a large digital innovation hub in Braamfontein. The hub is already being used to develop skills and to promote technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
"Ultimately the vision is to create a digital ecosystem in central Johannesburg resulting in job creation, enterprise development and inner-city rejuvenation," he explains.
He says the Tshimologong Precinct has a number of strategic partners such as IBM and the City of Joburg (COJ) who are providing support in various ways. The COJ has already invested in the installation of an extension of its B-Wired fibre network to enable seamless wired and wireless connectivity.
The major ICT Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge, called the "#HackJozi Challenge", is also being funded by the COJ.
Tshimologong Precinct, which is situated between Juta, Station and Henri streets in Braamfontein comprises two former night clubs which have been transformed into four different sections, namely offices, a warehouse, a club building and a retail space.
"The warehouse consists of various computer labs and is also being used as training rooms. The offices are used as administrative workspace for JCSE, Wits digital arts and other Wits ICT centres.
"Retail space where construction is still under way will be used as developmental pods where skills and software requirements of local corporate and retail clients of Wits University will be serviced and creative content and games will be developed," notes Dwolatzky.
The club building is used as an open plan co-working area where members use their notebooks and tablets to work, network and it also has a restaurant.
While construction and renovation of Tshimologong progresses, Dwolatzky points out the JCSE has rented a building in Smit Street in Braamfontein which is currently being used as an incubator, several classrooms, an event space and a small maker space.
"This building is called the DIZ ("Digital Innovation Zone") and it has been the site for a number of programmes and activities which include a skills development programme sponsored by Accenture. This programme is currently training 150 unemployed individuals as software developers in C#, Java, UX and testing," he reveals.
The JCSE says it has also implemented a games and app development internship programme which takes place on these premises that has given 60 individuals a chance to gain experience and receive training. The DIZ Spark which is an innovation and skills development programme aimed at sharpening digital skills of Wits Students also takes place at the DIZ.
Also making up the Tshimologong Precinct is the global tech giant IBM research labs which cover half a city block in Juta Street. Construction and renovation of the labs are nearing completion, IBM researchers will move into the lab in March 2016.
According to JCSE, IBM will invest R700 million over the next 10 years on research to be carried out in the labs which will include work on big data analytics (cognitive computing) using IBM's Watson Platform. Specific projects will include health-related projects and smart city projects.
Other construction and renovation projects such as Maker Space, a digital content development lab and "Design and Evaluation Centre" are being developed in partnership with Gauteng Province's department of eGovernment. These will be completed in phases between March and September 2016.
"As the impact of digital technology grows the amount of data being collected and stored expands at an exponential rate. Collecting and storing of big data is a futile exercise unless we are able to extract information and value from it," he adds.
Discussing the importance of accommodating the larger society, Dwolatzky says while the project is being hosted by Wits University it is aimed at providing a facility for all of Johannesburg's citizens. Anyone will be able to apply to join the community of innovators and entrepreneurs.
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