BUSINESS | RESEARCH | INNOVATION
Awards for Africa The Da Vinci Institute opens the TT100 Business Awards Programme to international entries
Does your business promote T E C H N O L O G Y I N N O VAT I O N ?
Text: Rodney Weidemann
tries as well, we have nonetheless received indications here is no doubt that from a number of internaprobably the greattional companies, including est driver towards some from the oil and gas and economic growth consulting sectors, that they results from the products and are keen to enter. This is a fanprocesses which emanate tastic indication of how highly from scientific management respected the awards have research. It is clear then that become and how many busisuch research needs to be nesses are eager to take part, stimulated if we are to imfrom wherever in the world prove the nation’s economy they may call home base. and positively impact on job “Ultimately, there is plenty creation. of commonality in what It is for this reason that businesses do around the the TT100 Business Awards world, so I believe it can only Programme was put in place be beneficial to engage more in 1991, and the reasoning still in cross-border collaboration holds true today, according to and competition – predomiProfessor Bennie Anderson, nantly with other innovative CEO of The Da Vinci Institute, organisations across the which administers the proworld,” states Anderson. gramme. Professor Roy Marcus, “The Da Vinci Institute has chairman of The Da Vinci Inrecognised how important stitute, adds that the prestige it is to encourage economic of the awards stems from the growth by uncovering those fact that entrants undergo a O gems that, in spite of the rigorous application process. OL N odds, have developed globally “What singles us out from H TEC Prof IO Roy Marcus, chairman recognised services, products other awards is that every Tof A The Da Vinci Institute V and processes and are able to single applicant is interviewed INNO compete globally,” he says. at length by a panel of people E “It is my belief that TT100 with wide-ranging expertise generally referred to as the Da around TIPS are probed. This OPL winners in the small, medium E P is an awards programme that and with great integrity. In Vinci TIPS framework. is done so that the adjudiand large categories. will be of enormous benefit to this way, they are able not “Over the 23 years that cators can understand, in a “Apart from the prestige innovators across the globe, only to test the validity of the we have run this awards detailed manner, what the of winning, entrants are eager which is why this year, we are information submitted by the programme, it has clearly entrants’ innovations are and to participate because they opening the programme up applicant, but also to capture emerged that the businesses what they offer. also undergo a fundamental to entries on an international the ‘story behind the story’,” that score best on the TIPS Having completed the learning experience through scale.” he says. framework are those that can online questionnaire, appliexposure to the many and Anderson believes that He explains that an imbe described as ‘hyper-comcants are then invited to an varied metrics we use to since we all live in one world, portant feature of the adjupetitive’.” interview with the adjudicajudge their entries. Ultimatethere is no reason to cordon dication process is that any According to Marcus, ention panel. This panel assesses ly, the goal of these awards FINANCIAL HEALTH AUTOMOTIVE RETAILthat strives to be trants ICT MINING AGRICULTURE ENERGY off awards as prestigious as organisation undergo a three-stage each entrant based on a TIPS is to determine how – in the SERVICES process, which involves an INNOVATION these to only one part of the globally competitive has to scoring sheet. The final stage face of a global downturn – world. be extremely capable in four initial online entry, after which of the process is where the these entrants are not only “While we have only used critical areas of management. those that are accepted are adjudicators review the scores surviving, but being agile and word of mouth to publicise These are the management invited to complete a detailed and are asked to put forward aligning their technologies in the fact that the 2014 awards of: Technology, Innovation, online questionnaire, in which winners both in the various order to get closer to their are open to international enPeople and Systems, which is over 100 metrics centred categories and the overall customers,” he says.
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is recognised as a top premier awards programme which provides a deep insight into the sustainability of organisations, with emphasis placed on how these companies manage: Technology, Innovation and People as a system within the context of their operations
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www.freshba.co.za/FBA2611
TT100 BUSINESS AWARDS PROGRAMME
TT100 seeks to add value to participants through training & development, networking, research & knowledge to promote technology awareness.
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INDUSTRIES/ SECTORS
Categories within which entrants will be judged:
To enter, log onto: www.tt100.co.za for more information.
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Ideas that lead Innovation is driving critical business sectors forward
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outh Africa is home to a wealth of creativity, originality and ingenuity for developing solutions to unique challenges. Finding such solutions lies at the very heart of the country’s motivation for innovation, and the simple fact that so many local inventions have been adopted by the rest of the world is testimony to their quality. The TT100 Business Awards Programme recognises the pivotal importance of the human technology interface and looks at the many angles around creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation. The 2014 Awards will thus take into consideration a wide range of disparate categories that are ideal for highlighting the best and most innovative ideas, not only in South Africa, but across the entire continent. This year’s awards will focus on the key industry sectors of: Automotive; ICT; Retail; Health Innovation; Financial Services; Mining & Agriculture; and Energy.
DRIVING INNOVATION
South Africa’s automotive industry may not be as large as that of other nations, but the local industry’s capacity for technological upgrading and innovation remains undimmed. This is evidenced not only by the repeated attempts in-country to develop electric or hybrid-type vehicles, but also the numerous innovations focused on increasing fuel efficiency, and yet others seeking to improve vehicle security. You need look no further that the Joule electric car, which was designed to be a five-seater with a range of 300km and a maximum speed of 135kmph. The country’s first locally developed electric car, the prototype was not only praised locally by both media and government, it was also well received at the Paris Motor Show in 2008 and won a “best on display” award at the Geneva Motor Show two years later. Although lack of funding led to the project eventually shutting down, it remains the gold-standard example of the kind of innovation the local automotive industry is capable of.
MAKING THE CALL FOR TECHNOLOGY
The rapid pace of innovation and development within the ICT sector is a globally recognised phenomenon. South Africa is no exception, with the nation renowned for its expertise and skills in this field, and in particular, for its ability to innovate. This encompasses everything from mobile communications solutions and applications that are today used globally, to information
technology (IT) solutions and services that are crafted to meet niche demands. As Gary Chalmers, CEO of 2013 winner, iPulse Systems, says: “In our business, we compete against multinational brands with R&D budgets many times our total annual turnover. Without using innovation as the core of our business model, we would never survive, much less enjoy the increase in market share that we have achieved.”
CREATING A NEW EXPERIENCE
South Africa’s retail sector is a critical pillar of the nation’s economic wellbeing, keeping itself ahead of the pack through a strong entrepreneurial spirit and desire for innovation. Such innovation can be found in areas as diverse as stores’ back-end systems, pointof-sale solutions or stockcontrol implementations, and encompass everything from transport and logistics to customer service and support. In today’s market, retailers face a situation where their customers have more choice, coupled with a shrinking appetite for spending money. In this sort of market, innovation becomes absolutely critical. Price competition is no longer enough – retailers now need to become customer-centric. The integration of mobile and social media technologies into the retail experience is likely just the beginning of how retailers will extend their relationships with their customers.
IMPROVING OUR BEDSIDE MANNER
In South Africa’s healthcare
sector, expertise and innovation can take many forms, from the development of unique diagnostic equipment through to the creation of long-distance healthcare solutions based on the principle of telemedicine, which can be applied to rural regions. What is certain is that all of the innovations in this critical sector are created with the same ultimate goal in mind: to provide the best healthcare to the largest number of citizens possible. “Innovation is certainly important in the pharmaceutical sector. We operate in an extremely regulated environment, and therefore we embrace the legislation and regulations, and rely on innovation to retain our competitive advantage and remain the benchmark in our chosen field,” says JD Henderson, MD of X/Procure Software, a 2013 winner for its innovative Electronic Procurement Platform.
BANKING ON A BETTER WORLD
If there is one industry in the country that is well aware of the importance of the role of innovation in staying ahead of the pack, it is the financial services sector (FSS), which is constantly developing new business and delivery models, and anticipating customer needs in order to sustain revenue growth. Perhaps the best-known example of this is how the FSS has leveraged mobile and digital platforms to provide better service, lower transaction costs and provide more convenient delivery channels. As Paul Steenkamp, head of innovation capability at FNB, said after the company won an
award in 2012: “Innovation is a way to deepen rewarding relationships with our customers, run our business more efficiently and in support of our vision to be a great business helping to create a better world.”
MINING IDEAS, FARMING INNOVATION
While mining and agriculture might appear at first glance to be sectors that are totally at odds with each other, there are, in fact, many similarities. Both, for example, rely on innovative seed coatings and genetically modified plants – either for improved crops or for mine rehabilitation. This is just the tip of the iceberg, though, and innovation in this sector is as varied as one would expect. Just a few of the more recent innovations in these fields include the world’s largest commercial fly farm, which is being developed in South Africa and will harvest the larvae of 8.5 billion flies to produce food for chickens, pigs and farmed fish; the development by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of robots that can monitor the safety of mines after blasting deep underground; and innovative technology that uses algae to convert waste coal dust into a clean, high-quality coal which can readily be processed into biofuel.
BUILDING UP ENERGY
Finally, despite – or perhaps because of – its recent travails, South Africa’s energy sector has placed itself at the forefront of innovation, with both the incumbent supplier, Eskom, and multiple businesses associated in some way to the industry driving new developments.
Such developments encompass everything from new ways to harness renewable energy, through innovative ways to reduce energy consumption, to new technologies to assist in conserving energy. The local energy sector, in fact, is one of the most vibrant and exciting industries in the country. Eskom, as the country’s incumbent energy supplier, continues to invest heavily in research and development (R&D). Innovation of this nature enables the organisation to more fully understand emerging technologies and their applicability to support new investments. It is also investing in research on power system technologies and solutions to improve the availability and reliability of transmission, as well as distribution grids, and to implement intelligent networks. According to Deidre Herbst, senior manager for environmental management at Eskom, the company is focused on integrating the principles of sustainable development and zero harm through initiatives to reduce carbon dioxide, particulate and gaseous emissions, and the use of fresh water at its coal-fired power plants.
DON’T WAIT; INNOVATE
There can be little doubt that, due to factors such as globalisation, there is a growing need for businesses to improve their efficiency and effectiveness. This means offering not only the kind of quality products or services that set the business apart from its competitors, but also the kind of ongoing innovation that ensures these do not stagnate. Moreover, consumer expectations need to be met if businesses are to remain successful, and today’s consumers are used to products that continually improve and make their lives easier. Lastly, it needs to be remembered that modern consumers are not only much more informed; they also have many more options in terms of what they buy and from whom they buy it. Thus innovation remains vital if a company aims to differentiate its product or service from the competition. As Rory Moore, CEO of the Innovation Agency, puts it: “The gap between ideas and implementation is getting closer all the time, as companies learn how best to rapidly prototype and release new offerings and capabilities. Obviously, those who understand this and capitalise on it will have a clear lead on their competitors. We’ve moved into an era where the organisations that are best able to execute on their really great ideas will be ideally positioned to lead into the future.”
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TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION
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2013 TT100 BUSINESS AWARDS PROGRAMME WINNERS With the call for entries for the 2014 programme now in progress, it is pertinent to recognise those who topped the charts in 2013. Emerging Enterprise Awards • SDK Africa – Excellence in the Management of Technology • Innovation Agency – Excellence in the Management of Innovation • Smoke Customer Care Solutions – Excellence in the Management of People • Rowe Group – Excellence in the Management of Systems • Small Enterprise Awards • MLS Test Systems – Excellence in the Management of Technology • X/Procure Software SA – Excellence in the Management of Innovation • Prezence Digital – Excellence in the Management of People • iPulse Systems – Excellence in the Management of Systems • iPulse Systems – Excellence in the Management of Research • Medium Enterprise Awards • Global Supply Chain Services – Excellence in the Management of Technology • Global Supply Chain Services – Excellence in the Management of Innovation • Accsys – Excellence in the Management of People • Accsys – Excellence in the Management of Systems Large Enterprise Awards • PFK Electronics – Excellence in the Management of Technology • Altech UEC South Africa – Excellence in the Management of Innovation • Van Reenen Steel – Excellence in the Management of People • NTP Radioisotopes – Excellence in the Management of Systems • MINTEK – Excellence in the Management of Research Additional Awards • Smoke Customer Care Solutions – Director General’s Award for Overall Excellence (Emerging Enterprise) • X/Procure Software SA – Director General’s Award for Overall Excellence (Small Enterprise) • Global Supply Chain Services – Minister’s Award for Overall Excellence (Medium Enterprise) • Altech UEC South Africa – Minister’s Award for Overall Excellence (Large Enterprise) • NTP Radioisotopes – Minister’s Award for Overall Excellence (Large Enterprise) • Altech Limited – Minister’s Award for Sustainable Performance • De Beers DebTech – Minister’s Award for Sustainable Performance
he TT100 Business Awards Programme has a long and proud history, having been launched as an initiative of the South African Engineering Association (SAVI) in 1991. The goal of the programme at the time was to draw attention to the importance of developing a local culture of technological innovation and excellence. Since then, the programme has evolved into one of the foremost business awards programmes in the world, one that lauds companies for their business prowess in the management of technology, innovation, people and systems. Moreover, it considers businesses of all sizes and from across the entire spectrum of industries. By recognising the pivotal importance of the human technology interface, and looking at the many angles around creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation, the 2014 awards will take into consideration a wide range of disparate categories that are ideal for highlighting the best and most innovative ideas on an international scale. This year’s awards will focus on the key industry sectors of: Automotive; ICT; Retail; Health Innovation; Financial Services; Mining & Agriculture; and Energy. According to The Da Vinci Institute, which administers the awards, the TT100 programme is an effective vehicle for achieving growth and innovation advancement within the economy, while raising awareness of the critical need for companies to embrace the management of Technology, Innovation, People and Systems (what it refers to as TIPS) in a sustainable manner. Since 1994, TT100 has had the strong endorsement of the South African government, in particular having received substantial support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
THE POWER OF INNOVATION One of the programme’s main sponsors, Eskom understands innovation better than most. It is the country’s primary electricity supplier, generating, transmitting and distributing electricity to industrial, mining, commercial, agricultural and residential customers, which puts it in pole position to be innovative. Despite the challenges faced
A programme with history As the TT100 Business Awards Programme enters its 23rd year, its desire to reward innovation across businesses of all sizes remains undimmed
by a heavily burdened power grid, says Barry MacColl, acting GM for research, testing and development at Eskom’s Sustainability Division, Eskom has consistently kept South Africa’s lights on. “This achievement is the result of an innovative and focused approach by the organisation to manage the challenge of a tight power system, as well as expanded partnerships with businesses and households that aim to manage demand and raise awareness of the need to use electricity more efficiently,” says MacColl. Of course, being innovative in delivering power is only half the story, he explains, adding that Eskom has also been strengthening its commitments to environmental protection and mitigating the effects of climate change. “For one, construction is under way at the Sere renewable energy wind project in the Western Cape. Furthermore, solar panels have been installed at Kendal and Lethabo power stations, as well as at the head office. This will supplement auxiliary power consumption at these stations and is the start of a programme that will be rolled out across our fleet of coal-fired stations. “It is clear, then, that Eskom itself relies heavily on technology innovation to achieve its objectives. Therefore, the organisation is proud to be a long-standing supporter of the TT100 Business Awards Programme and all that it stands for and aspires to achieve.”
DRIVING NEW COMPETITIVENESS
Innovation is incredibly important, says Thibault Dousson, PPS
country general manager at HP, one of this year’s key sponsors. “After all, true innovation is defined as the ability for people to take their organisations to new levels of competitiveness. “At HP, we don’t just believe in the power of technology; instead, we believe in the power of people when technology works for them. For us, it is about helping people to create, to make the digital tangible and to harness the power of human information. HP understands that innovation creates new possibilities for technology to have a meaningful impact on people, businesses, governments and society.” Dousson points out that the TT100 Business Awards Programme is focused on identifying role models who, through innovation, tenacity and a passionate belief in people, have been able to take their organisations to new levels of competitiveness. “Africa is ripe with opportunity for growth. Individuals with entrepreneurial flair and innovative ideas, who are able to embrace technology to help to develop future solutions, will gain favour with the relevant markets. I look forward to seeing Africans addressing African problems with relevant, home-grown solutions. “HP is proud to be a sponsor of the programme. Our organisation believes it can make an enormous contribution in advancing the aims and objectives of the TT100 Awards and its associated strategic partners when it comes to driving innovation and technology excellence across all spectrums of the economy,” he concludes.
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ENCOURAGING HOME-GROWN CLEAN TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION As the country looks to develop more renewable energy sources to address its growing energy needs, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) continues to support research and development programmes aimed at developing innovative technology solutions. One such programme being run by one of the DST's entities, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), is the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme for SMEs in South Africa (GCIP-SA). This programme is focused on enhancing both emerging clean technology start-ups and the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. The programme uses a competition-based approach to identify the most promising entrepreneurs, while a business accelerator supports, promotes and "de-risks" the participating companies and connects them to potential investors, customers and partners. Based on the successful Cleantech Open Accelerator in the USA, this year's competition builds on the legacy of the successful 2011 Cleantech Competition, implemented under the Greening the COP17 project of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization(UNIDO). The programme, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), has a footprint in six developing countries and is jointly implemented by TIA and UNIDO in South Africa. This global initiative has the goal of promoting clean technology innovation by supporting SMEs and startups to grow their ideas into viable and sustainable businesses. The programme will identify innovative clean technology entrepreneurs in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste-to-energy and water efficiency, and through the business accelerator will support entrepreneurs in commercialising their technologies. As the best clean technology start-ups progress through the GCIP-SA, they will be continuously trained, mentored and assessed, and will be given an opportunity to connect with potential investors and partners. The accelerator programme will culminate in the national awards event in October 2014, when finalists, top performers and the national winner will have the opportunity to showcase their innovations to a large audience. In addition, the national winners from each participating country are brought together at the Global Forum in Silicon Valley in California in November, giving them the opportunity to broaden their networks and benefit from the global links of the programme. In May this year the GCIP-SA called for applications, and 45 applications were received. In July the 24 semifinalists were welcomed to the programme – called the National Academy – which was held in Pretoria and provided the participants with an opportunity to get insights from experts in relevant fields, whet their appetites in respect of some of the more complex areas that will be explored in the
training programme, receive key information needed to advance in the programme, meet the other semi-finalists and broaden their entrepreneurial network. Among other benefits, all the semi-finalists have automatically been enrolled in a six-week mentoring and training programme that will help them to work through their challenges, set milestones and identify sustainable solutions. The national winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on 16 October 2014, and the participating entrepreneurs will join the alumni community, becoming part of the vibrant global Cleantech Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL AND PATH LAUNCH NEW GLOBAL HEALTH INNOVATION ACCELERATOR Innovative partnership will drive development of devices and diagnostics to improve maternal, neonatal and child health in South Africa and beyond
innovation, expertise and research capacity with PATH's nearly 40 years of experience in breaking through barriers that can prevent lifesaving technologies from reaching those who need them."
As South Africa continues to face high rates of maternal and child mortality, as well as HIV, tuberculosis and other communicable diseases, the launch of the new South Africa-based Global Health Innovation Accelerator (GHIA) has been welcomed. The GHIA will speed up the development and introduction of sustainable, highimpact health technologies that can save the lives of vulnerable women and children in South Africa and beyond.
The GHIA also aims to fast-track the most promising technologies to address the health needs of low-resource communities. It will connect the scientific and technical expertise, funding and networks of global partners with local scientists and innovators to accelerate product development and introduction. The partnership will initially focus on advancing medical devices, diagnostics and health tools for the most vulnerable women and children.
Launched in August, the GHIA is an innovation center led by the Strategic Health Innovation Partnerships (SHIP) unit of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health), an international non-profit organisation. SHIP was formed as a joint venture between the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and SAMRC in 2013.
The Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology, Dr Phil Mjwara, said, "We are excited by the prospects that the partnership between the SAMRC, through SHIP, and PATH, through the GHIA, bring to the South African health research and innovation landscape, particularly in relation to maternal and child health. We are confident that the GHIA will enable us to tap into PATH's extensive experience in managing the challenges that prevent technologies from reaching global markets, and thus enable health innovations to reach people who need them the most, especially women and children."
The partnership is in line with the National Department of Health's strategic plan to reduce preventable child deaths and ensure that all mothers have access to antenatal, birth and postpartum care. The GHIA will support these goals by catalysing investment in the best products and ensuring that they reach the most vulnerable local communities, as well as people in low-resource settings across the continent and around the globe. "We desperately need to find innovative solutions that will save the lives of women during pregnancy and childbirth. Interventions that prevent unnecessary stillbirths and neonatal deaths are critical as we endeavour to drive down child mortality in Africa," said Prof. Glenda Gray, president of the SAMRC. "The SAMRC is deeply committed to this bold step to help find medical solutions that are game-changing. This partnership between SHIP, the DST and PATH demonstrates our commitment to finding new ways of solving old problems. Dr Ayo Ajayi, PATH's Vice President of International Development, said, "The GHIA promotes a new paradigm for global health by tapping innovation wherever it is found to accelerate health solutions. What makes the GHIA unique is its focus on strengthening homegrown innovation – whether from South Africa or elsewhere – to quickly bring new products to the market. It combines South Africa's
Since 2011, PATH has committed US$3,7 million to advance health technologies in South Africa, including product introduction, commercialisation and data-gathering activities – investments that have helped pave the way for GHIA's launch. SHIP has established itself as a key enabler in the South African bioeconomy through funding for early-stage product development, having committed more than US$30 million to a number of productdriven programmes carried out in South Africa. Innovative tools, technologies and approaches are transforming global efforts to improve the lives of women and children, driving significant reductions in maternal and child mortality. Still, an estimated 6,3 million children died before their fifth birthdays in 2013, and 293 000 women died from pregnancy-related causes, most of which were preventable. To build the pipeline of innovative health tools, the GHIA aims to attract new investments from inter alia donors, public and private-sector investors and leverage the capacity and technical expertise of new partners to drive transformative technologies from the concept stage to widespread use.
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Africa on the rise Innovation is central to the prosperity of the continent
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echnology, science and innovation have a unique and key role to play in achieving the development goals of the continent, according to the United Nations (UN). With so many socio-economic challenges in health, infrastructure, energy, the ICT sector and agriculture, the importance of innovation in Africa cannot be overstated. Innovation is central to national prosperity. During a meeting with more than 20 African ministers late last year, The president of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Néstor Osorio, said the African continent, in particular, holds a great and unexploited potential that, with innovation, could foster job creation and the development of cultural industries, leading to increased economic growth. “Innovation is the essence of our modern society. Without harnessing its power, we will not be able to create healthy, educated or inclusive societies. Greater efforts are needed to build partnerships among government, private sector, civil society, academia, philanthropic organisations and the international community, to promote and spread innovation for sustainable development in Africa.” While the link between technology and economic growth has been clearly and repeatedly demonstrated, there will be more to Africa’s development than just technology innovation. Green technologies, for example, will help to facilitate access to energy, while innovations in the health sector will enhance service delivery. Moreover, innovation in agricultural productivity can ensure food security to growing populations. With the latter, developments in agricultural biotechnology hold the promise to genuinely transform the continent, although to date, only four African countries – South Africa, Burkina Faso, Egypt and Sudan – have adopted transgenic crops. Nonetheless, African scientists in countries such as Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana are at the forefront of leveraging biotechnology to address local agricultural challenges, specifically by focusing on problems such as pests, disease, drought and low nutritional content of staple crops. The banking sector in Africa is another arena that continues to benefit from innovation, particularly thanks to
HUBS OF INNOVATION
the rapid penetration of mobile technology across the continent. The most obvious example of mobile innovation in the FSS is the success and uptake of mobile payments in Kenya. Advancements of this nature are not merely shaping how people interact with one another; they are in fact altering the behaviour and expectations of bank customers, thanks to the immediacy offered by technology. This is why alternative banking channels have gained a strong foothold in many African markets, and this, in turn, has created the opportunity for banks to successfully differentiate themselves and build loyalty among their customers.
TT100 AND AFRICA
With Africa’s prospects for improved competitiveness and economic growth relying, to a great degree, on science and technology, the TT100 Business Awards Programme has now been opened up to entrants on an international scale, according to CEO Professor Bennie Anderson, with a view to particularly encouraging more African entrants. “We made a conscious decision to expand the TT100 programme because we took cognisance of the many amaz-
Innovation hubs are playing an important role in Africa’s rapidly growing technology and corporate scene. Hubs have been set up in an increasing number of cities, including Cairo, Addis Ababa and Dar es Salaam. These hubs act as magnets for the local IT and creative industries, according to the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) or German Federal Enterprise for International Cooperation. The GIZ is an international enterprise owned by the German Federal Government, operating in many fields across more than 130 countries. It primarily works with states, state agencies and the private sector. The growth of these innovation hubs demonstrates the eagerness for expression that the local IT and creative industries in African countries have. These hubs provide a physical space for local Internet and IT communities, entrepreneurs, start-ups and creative minds. More crucially, since the hubs also deliver incubation and mentoring programmes, events and training, and provide Internet access and office equipment, they are supporting innovative local developments. Most importantly, these innovations are not confined to the IT and creative industries, but are also occurring in other sectors, such as renewable energy and agriculture. To date, these African hubs have produced everything from sophisticated mobile applications and low-cost thermal systems to everyday, low-tech solutions, illustrating their huge creative potential. The success of such hubs so far means that new ones are being set up all the time, and it is hoped that the majority of these will enjoy long-term success over the next few years.
ing innovations coming out of other regions in Africa. Our aim is to create collaboration in an African context, so that we not only develop a South African community of innovators, but also link them to others of a similar ilk, elsewhere on the continent,” says Anderson. “I believe it is important from a technology point of view that we break the distorted developed-world perception, once and for all, that suggests that Africa is lagging behind in technological terms. There is plenty of ground-breaking innovation coming out of the continent, so we hope that by opening the programme, we can increase the awareness of these brilliant organisations and shine the spotlight on them.”
PREVIOUS WINNERS SAY
With the opening up of the awards programme, a number of previous winners were asked their opinions of innovation in Africa. John van Reenen, MD of Van Reenen Steel, is adamant that Africa has to try to be as innovative as Europe and the US, given the hurdles it faces in competition with products from those markets. “As a player in the mining industry, I am also of the opinion that because of the remoteness of its markets, Africa will, in fact, have to be more innovative in order to continue low-cost production of its minerals.” Nico van Zyl, marketing and new business development manager at De Beers DebTech, agrees that innovation in Africa is as important as in all other areas of the world; how else, he asks, will it be able to remain relevant and competitive? “Africa has an abundance of natural resources which gives it a good starting point; it needs to now exploit and beneficiate these to the benefit of all. It also has an abundance of other resources such as oil, gas, coal, hydro energy and solar potential. All of these resources should be exploited in innovative and sustainable ways.” Rory Moore, CEO of the Innovation Agency, believes Africa is blessed with an inherent ability to collaborate, due to its unique culture and environment, which is incredibly social. “This is important, because the next
wave of innovation will be borderless, without boundaries, as we begin to collaborate on a massive scale. The continent of Africa is ideally positioned to take advantage of this opportunity, and I believe we will soon see one billion people begin to truly claim their space on the world stage.” Jez Rowe, a director at Rowe Construction, points out that another advantage Africa has is its large young and inquisitive population. This, he says, can only bode well, as this younger generation will be able to move forward without the shackles and sometimes blinkered approach of its mentors. “This age gap provides a stage for an unrestricted innovative approach to design, life and industry.” According Teryl Schroenn, CEO of Accys, innovation often comes from the smaller, more agile spaces. While bigbudget companies are usually able to leverage existing IP, the real bright new ideas often come from smaller entities that observe the obstacles and develop creative solutions, she says. “Considering the many challenges in the African environment, there is no doubt that the opportunity exists to promote new ideas.” Africans are, in general, extremely resilient, suggests JD Henderson, MD of X/Procure Software, who believes that Africans as a whole are also extremely innovative. “I think it is due to the remarkable innovations coming out of the continent that the rest of the world is rushing to invest in Africa. We have been ‘forced’ to innovate in many aspects of our daily lives, sometimes merely in order to survive. I believe other parts of the world are looking at what we do in Africa and they are embracing our innovations, from communication, to medical, to mobile, not to mention innovations in many other sectors.” Shaun Wilson, MD of SDK Africa, points to mobile innovation as a shining example of Africa leading where others follow. “Africa quickly discovered that mobile innovation is the most accessible way for the continent to communicate and stay informed. The rest of the world is only now starting to focus on mobile due to the convenience it provides, and it is already looking to Africa for guidance on how to better leverage mobility.” Finally, Dr Makhapa Makafola, GM for research and development at Mintek, says innovation is key to helping to solve Africa’s societal and pressing socio-economic challenges. Africa’s prospects for improved competitiveness and economic growth rely, to a great degree, on science and technology, he explains, adding that the continent is blessed with rich mineral deposits and, with proper investment in the knowledge-based economy, this will help in developing the continent. “Africa can benefit from innovation by developing a creative culture that encourages and rewards people for their innovative contributions; investing time and money in innovation to create resources (financial and human) to devote to the process of innovation; and using national and international networks to generate new ideas, learn from others and access new business. “Ultimately, being innovative is about taking calculated risks. This must be backed up by African governments, which will have to adopt an attitude that is positive, imaginative, fearless and undeterred by negativity, cynicism and resistance to change,” he concludes.
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TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION
S
cientific and technological innovation is a crucial part of both South Africa and the rest of the continent developing a more competitive foothold in the global economy and addressing its many pressing developmental needs. In South Africa, in particular, the National Development Plan (NDP) has identified the important role of science, technology and innovation in achieving the country’s long-term vision: to become a knowledgebased economy, where these aspects move to the centre of economic activity. Success will be delivered through the stimulation of multidisciplinary thinking and by challenging South African researchers and developers to tackle existing questions, create new disciplines and develop new technologies. This is the bold innovation strategy that is being driven by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), which is aimed at addressing the nation’s existing “innovation chasm”. This gap, of course, is not unique to South Africa and is an issue that affects the continent as a whole. Overcoming this can only be achieved through the effective stimulation of creativity, entrepreneurship, and research and development (R&D). However, governments cannot be expected to do this alone. The private sector – home to so many innovative thinkers and developers – needs to play its part in pushing Africa towards its goal of becoming part of the new “smart economy”. It is the many aspects around creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation, and the ways in which current and future innovations will impact on this drive towards a smart economy, that lie at the core of the TT 100 Business Awards Programme.
A CALL TO ENTER
The programme takes into consideration innovations across a wide range of market sectors and business arenas, including the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, big business and private-public sector partnerships that highlight innovation, entrepreneurship and research and development in these areas in an attempt to enable a smart economy. The 2014 edition of the TT100 Business Awards Programme is now open to entrants from across the globe. Professor Bennie Anderson, CEO of The Da Vinci Institute, which administers the programme, particularly hopes to encourage entrants
Call to enter The entry process alone will offer important insights into your business
from across Africa to enter what is now a truly international business awards programme. As for the benefits that can be gained from entering, Teryl Schroenn, CEO of 2013 award-winner Accys, points out that winning the award underpinned the efforts that went into developing a world-class solution, and provided encouragement to the company’s development team and wider staff complement. “Such an award also helps to reassure your clients and prospects that they are using and purchasing a solution that is capable of keeping up with world trends in people management. Accsys has been involved with TT100 for some time, and we have found that just putting together the entry form has given us focus, and
encouraged us to be consistent in our approach to our business,” she says. Nico van Zyl, marketing and new business development manager for De Beers DebTech, suggests that winning in 2013 provided an excellent benchmark for the business, while it also served as a great morale boost for the employees. In addition, he says, it serves as an indication that the company’s innovations, products and services are comparable with the best in the world. “I would encourage any company, no matter its size, to enter the TT100 Business Awards Programme. The effort in completing all of the requirements serves as a deep dive into your own company, allowing you to look at your internal processes and question the way you do business.
This is valuable in itself, irrespective of any award that may be received.” According to JD Henderson, MD of 2013 winner X/Procure Software, although his business is something of a “small fish in a big pond”, it is nonetheless able to deliver worldclass technology to its clients. “Winning one of these awards allows you to form new partnerships with like-minded businesses and even allows for growth into other industries. My advice to other entrants is to embrace the TT100 experience as a benchmark in ‘best practice’ and to learn whatever you can from other entrants, particularly the winners.” Finally, Rory Moore, CEO of the Innovation Agency, another 2013 winner, explains that theTT100 proved to be a great platform for his business to be recognised as a leader in the innovation space. “It is a competitive world, and building brand recognition and credibility in the marketplace is critical. The simple fact of entering will provide you with important insights into your business, because you have to interrogate and describe your background, business model and approach to business. There is much to learn from this process – winning is merely the cherry on the top!”
OTHER PROGRAMMES DRIVING INNOVATION FORWARD LOOKING TO THE SKIES In May 2012, SA won the right to co-host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), along with Australia. The aim since then has always been to align this initiative with efforts to grow the economy. The SKA offers an opportunity for the continent to focus on becoming a place of research, draw more youngsters into science and innovation, and improve Internet bandwidth for businesses. The SKA is seen as a project that can play a massive role, not only in the training of the next generation of African knowledge workers, but in helping to develop international partnerships in science, technology and innovation capacity-building. A key issue since the awarding of the SKA rights has been to build institutional and technical capacity. This, in turn, has formed part of the impetus for the African VLBI Network (AVN). VLBI, or very long baseline interferometry, is when four or more radio telescopes observe a single celestial object simultaneously and, in effect, act as one big telescope. By developing this, it is hoped we will be able to build a sustainable and burgeoning pool of engineers, scientists, technicians and artisans who can work on the different aspects of radio astronomy. A YEAR OF SCIENCE The German-South African Year of Science, which took place over the 2012/13 period, has played a major role in stimulating innovation in the country. The close
cooperation between these two centres of scientific endeavour was distilled into a focus on seven thematic fields: climate change, bio-economy, urbanisation, health innovation, astronomy, social sciences and humanities, and human capital development. Not only has the long-term project led to the promotion of Germany and South Africa as centres of innovation in terms of research-conscious companies in the two countries, it has also helped to establish a new quality of bilateral cooperation. This is evidenced in the setting up of new partnerships between research institutions, universities, colleges and companies in the two nations, as well as intensified collaborative arrangements between ministries, and intermediary and support organisations. It has also helped to intensify the exchange of views, insights and information between young scientists in the two countries. The success of the Year of Science project can be determined by the simple fact that some 41 initiatives were jointly agreed on and received funding. These included a collaboration between Bauhaus-Universität Weimar and North West University on sustainable resource-based sanitation, and a project between the University of Pretoria and the Fachhochschule Kiel to finance a women’s science conference. Following the conclusion to the Year of Science, an increase in joint projects and demand for opportunities have been noted, with this cooperation continuing to serve as a catalyst for scientific development and improve the quality of life in the two countries.
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HP EliteBook 840 HP EliteBook 840 HP EliteBook 840 Productivity software not included. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Intel, the Intel Logo, Intel Inside, Intel Core, Ultrabook, and Core Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. 1 Multi-Core is designed to improve performance of certain software products. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology. 64-bit computing on Intel® architecture requires a computer system Productivity software not included. with a processor, chipset, BIOS, operating system, device drivers, and applications enabled for Intel® 64 architecture. Processors will not operate (including 32-bit operation) without an Intel® 64 architecture-enabled BIOS. Performance will vary All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. depending on your hardware and software configurations. Intel, the Intelsoftware Logo, Intel Inside, Intel Core, Ultrabook, and Core Inside are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. 2 Productivity included. MIL STD 810G testing not is not intended to demonstrate fitness for U.S. Department of Defense contract requirements or for military use. Test results are not a guarantee of future performance under these test conditions. 1 Multi-Core is designed improve performance of certainowners. software products. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology. 64-bit computing on Intel® architecture requires a computer system 3 All aretoseparately the property of their respective Upother to 33trademarks hours requires purchased slice battery, Windows 7 and configuration with optional solid state drive. Battery life will vary depending on the product model, configuration, loaded applications, features, wireless functionality with athe processor, chipset, BIOS, operating system, device and applications enabled forCorporation Intel® 64 architecture. Processors not operate (including 32-bit operation) without an Intel® 64 architecture-enabled BIOS. Performance will vary Intel,power Intel Logo, Intel settings. Inside, Intel Ultrabook, anddrivers, Core arewill trademarks Intel thedetails U.S. and/or otherwill countries. and management TheCore, maximum capacity of theInside battery decrease of with time and usage.inFor see www.bapco.com. depending on your hardware and software configurations. 1 Multi-Core is designed to improve performance of certain software products. Not all customers or software applications will necessarily benefit from use of this technology. 64-bit computing on Intel® architecture requires a computer system © 2 Copyright 2014 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. MIL STD 810G testing is not intended to demonstrate fitness for U.S. Defense for military use. results are not a32-bit guarantee of future performance under these test conditions. with a processor, chipset, BIOS, operating system, device drivers, andDepartment applicationsof enabled forcontract Intel® 64requirements architecture.or Processors will notTest operate (including operation) without an Intel® 64 architecture-enabled BIOS. Performance will vary 3 Up to 33 hours requires separately purchased slice battery, Windows 7 and configuration with optional solid state drive. Battery life will vary depending on the product model, configuration, loaded applications, features, wireless functionality depending on your hardware and software configurations. 2 and management settings. Thetomaximum capacity of the will decrease with time and usage. For details www.bapco.com. MILpower STD 810G testing is not intended demonstrate fitness for battery U.S. Department of Defense contract requirements orsee for military use. Test results are not a guarantee of future performance under these test conditions. 3 Copyright 2014 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. © Up to 33 hours requires separately purchased slice battery, Windows 7 and configuration with optional solid state drive. Battery life will vary depending on the product model, configuration, loaded applications, features, wireless functionality and power management settings. The maximum capacity of the battery will decrease with time and usage. For details see www.bapco.com. © Copyright 2014 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.
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