Third Vision 2030 Summit sparks conversation around the key role of ICT
Peter Ndoro, Business and Economics Anchor, SABC2 ‘Morning Live’ being interviewed by Topco Media at the Vision 2030 Summit held in Johannesburg in June 2017
With the aim being to stimulate conversation around a roadmap for achieving the goals of the National Development Plan (NDP), around 300 decision makers from both the private and public sector came together at the third annual Vision 2030 Summit, to talk about key contributors to alleviating poverty, inequality and joblessness by the year 2030.
Held at the Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg from 21-22 June, the two-day event fielded keynote speakers such as Presidential candidate Dr Mathews Phosa, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Dr Petrus De Kock, Prof. Arthur Mutambara and many more experts.
Day 1 – Bridging the digital divide to accelerate progress
Both the private sector and public sector are prioritising technology and digitisation as an essential driver to accelerate progress on the NDP, through linking a network of implementers around socio-economic transformation, and empowering ordinary South Africans through connectivity and shared knowledge.
This was the focus for registration Sponsor Huawei’s CEO Steven Wu, who said that ICT should be a national priority strategy, with more investment and a supportive policy framework for ICT development: “We’d also like to see swifter progress on the realisation of significant projects like SA Connect and Safe Cities”.
Old Mutual, Basil Read, MMI Holdings, AMSCO and PMI were at the forefront of discussions after lunch, at the helm of their five respective breakaways. These 1.5 hour sessions covered different fundamentals of the NDP: entrepreneurship development; training and skills development; improved economic production through investment in people; construction, and economic transformation.
Day 2 – Collaboration, cooperation and communication are key to achieve the NDP
Delivering a thought-provoking keynote address, Dr Mathews Phosa reflected on the Freedom Charter and honoured the late Oliver Tambo. He said that South Africa “deserves a recovery plan, developed and implemented under the watchful eyes and guidance of a trusted and virtuous leadership. A plan reflecting the dreams of those who formulated and penned the Freedom Charter of 1955 …the National Development Plan must be strongly advanced as the inclusive recovery plan to change South Africa for the better.”
Tiger Brands, Aerosud, SANBS, Sentech hosted the second day’s breakaway sessions, which focused on agriculture & rural development; advanced manufacturing; healthcare and, of course, ICT.
Finale: Before the road ahead, a celebration of strides made
After the intensive discussions of the Vision 2030 Summit, it was time to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations that have been furthering or supporting national development in the last year, with the advent of the eagerly-anticipated first annual Vision 2030 Awards taking place on the evening of 22 June.
Vision 2030 returns in June 2018. For more information, visit www.vision2030.co.za