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In this newsletter:
> Optimizing Podcast: S2-Episode 5. In conversation with Pieter de Villiers
> Optimizing Podcast: S2-Episode 6. In conversation with Tim Jenkin
> Interview: Aki Anastasiou talks to Mark Harris on “Connectivity for all”
Hello there,
This is our 4th Grand Geeks Newsletter. Once again you’ve received this newsletter either because you subscribed or because we’ve selected you to be part of this new community. We will deliver a newsletter to your inbox every fortnight. However, you are free to unsubscribe at any time.
Thinking “out of the box”
Over the past fortnight I have been giving much thought to the future as 2020 draws to a close. Few of us will be sad to see the end of this particular year in our lives, but what does the future have in store for us? Are we hoping to go “back to normal”, or will the future hold something different – something new?
My hope is that we find a “new normal”. What will this look like? Last week President Ramaphosa addressed the nation on his government’s post-COVID-19 recovery plan. This needs to be seen in the context of the recently released final report produced by the Presidential Commission on 4IR. Digital transformation and the narrowing of the digital divide feature strongly in these plans. Without doubt, the “new normal” will be far more digital than the “old normal”.
In the past 2 weeks we released two exciting new episodes of our podcast series called “Optimizing – Leading Africa’s Digital Future”. We feature conversations with two South African innovators who in their own different ways have demonstrated fascinating examples of “out of the box” thinking. Pieter de Villiers and his co-founders took their start-up, Clickatel, to Silicon Valley and to the world. Tim Jenkin has an amazing story to tell about his life as a political and social activist.
We have also featured an interview with my fellow Grand Geek, Mark Harris. He speaks to Aki Anastasiou about “Bringing fast reliable connectivity to South Africa”.
You will find links to these podcasts and Mark’s interview on our new content portal www.TheGrandGeeks.africa . Via this portal we will continue to share content which we either create ourselves or curate to contribute towards this important inter-generational conversation. We hope that you will engage, share and contribute.
Until next time,
Prof Barry Dwolatzky
1. S2:E5 of Optimizing Podcast – In Conversation with Pieter de Villiers
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.
2. S2:E6 of Optimizing Podcast – In Conversation with Tim Jenkin
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 South Africa’s top security prison. It was recently released as a movie starring Daniel Radcliffe as Tim. 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.
The Optimizing Podcast is available on Spotify, iTune, Google Play and via all streaming Apps. It is also available on www.TheGrandGeeks.africa . For those interested in following the Optimizing podcast in the future, here is the schedule for upcoming episodes:
Episode 7: In conversation with Monica Singer (blockchain) – 3 November
Episode 8: In conversation with Xoliswa Mahlangu (educator) – 10 November
Episode 9: In conversation with Clifford De Wit (ex-Microsoft SA) – 17 November
…. More to follow
3. Interview – “Bringing Fast Reliable Internet to South Africa” – Aki Anastasiou with 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.
This interview addresses the key issue of connectivity and bridging South Africa’s digital divide. You’ll find the interview at http://thegrandgeeks.africa/2020/10/30/interview-bringing-fast-reliable-internet-to-south-africa/
4. The Grand Geeks website – a portal for curated content on Leading Africa’s Digital Future
We are pleased to announce our new website at www.TheGrandGeeks.africa .While we are still hard at work fine-tuning its features and its “look”, the current version will allow you to access some of our current, and recent articles, video material and – of course – the Optimizing Podcast. There is space on the website for you to comment, and we would appreciate your thoughts both on the website and on the content it features. We are hoping that this site soon becomes your go-to place for high quality content relevant to the present and future state of our local digital economy. Join the conversation, and share the link with others who are part of our special community.
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