The time for SA and the African continent to embrace the digital economy is now.
This was the sentiment shared by Vuyani Jarana, chief officer of Vodacom Business, during a panel discussion at GovTech 2016 in Midrand yesterday.
Jarana was part of the panel that unpacked the concept of a digital economy in SA and the country's digital future.
SA needs to realise the economy is digitising very fast and it needs to understand it is part of a global economic environment, he said. "SA cannot operate as an island.
"Where we rank as a country in terms of mobile competitiveness becomes very important, especially around an ICT-driven generation.
"As the economy digitises, new types of jobs are being created, but the question is whether the country is ready to receive those jobs. Do we have skills for the digital economy? Are we ready to embrace a digitally-driven trade market?"
We must fix our issues in order to remain competitive, he said.
According to Jarana, SA needs to invest in technology to enhance the development of digital skills among young people. "SA must take advantage of the unfolding digital economy for its youth."
He added that a digital economy significantly opens up trade opportunities, and the country must be ready to embrace a digital trade market.
Also speaking during the panel discussion was IBM SA country general manager Hamilton Ratshefola, who reiterated Jarana's sentiment, and said in a digital economy SA needs to adopt new ways of working.
The sad situation in SA today is that there is still talk about intent, he said. "Adoption of new ICT services in SA is slow because we plan a lot and we talk a lot...the key thing is speed, we need to be agile and move fast.
"The way we operate at the moment is not going to get us where need to get."
Ratshefola explained SA needs to change a few things and that requires adopting new ways of working. "The current way of working where we issue tenders and follow long a process to implement projects doesn't work."
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