Networking hardware company Cisco has announced a US$9.4mn investment in South Africa aimed at job creation through incubation centres, skills development, and national cybersecurity
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, the minister of communications and digital technologies, and Clayton Naidoo, the general manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Cisco, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining areas of co-operation.
“The ICT ministry has been mandated by President Cyril Ramaphosa to lead SA’s fourth industrial revolution efforts,” said Ndabeni-Abrahams.
“How we respond to the 4IR must be integrated and comprehensive, involving all players from the private and public sector, academia, government and civil society. It is for this reason that the department led the Coordinate.Collaborate.Execute Industry 4.0 engagement forum in October 2018 to harmonise all efforts aimed at adequately preparing South Africa for the 4IR,” she added.
The agreement forms part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) initiative, and contributes to South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030, the company stated. Under the MOU, as part of the CDA, Cisco will support the development of a skilled workforce capable of participating in and benefiting from the digital revolution.
Cisco CDA is a global programme aimed at accelerating national digitisation agendas to support job creation, innovation, and economic growth in sustainable and equitable communities.
Since the launch of CDA four years ago, Cisco has worked with a number of countries, including on smart city and utility grids, and digitising hospitals, schools and ports.
“At Cisco, we see technology at the heart of our digital future, driving inclusive economic growth, creating jobs and igniting innovation. Since opening our first office in Johannesburg 30 years ago, Cisco has been committed to South Africa, working on projects that make the benefits of the Internet and technology available to broad groups of the society,” commented Naidoo.
