Soweto will soon play host to the first technology and digital conference, the Soweto Innovation Week. The three-day conference is a collaboration between the Internet Society Gauteng Chapter and iAfrikan in partnership with local non-profit organisation Soweto Wireless User Group.
The event which is expected to attract over 400 technology and digital professionals, leaders, startups and corporates, hopes to offer a platform for a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators to discuss issues of technology and innovation.
Bridging the gap
Tefo Mohapi, co-founder of iAfrikan says the conference aims to equip people with knowledge, inspiration and skills to liberate themselves.
“It is imperative that we not only talk about uplifting communities but do something about it. Soweto Innovation Week is about, among other things, bringing the knowledge, inspiration and education about innovation and technology to the people of Soweto and Johannesburg,” Mohapi said.
“The future of South Africa hinges on job creation and these jobs are more likely to come out of startups and in our case tech startups given their ability to scale. Technology, when used for social good or in business, has the power to liberate people politically or economically,” he added.
The themes to be covered at the conference are Internet governance, the use of technology for economic development and digital broadcasting.
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Gabriel Ramokotjo, president of the Internet Society Gauteng Chapter says the conference also hopes to expand the reach of technology to often ignored groups.
“Historically disadvantaged communities, the youth and women are not participating in the technology industry at anywhere near the levels of other South African communities,” Ramokotjo says.
The conference takes place from 8 – 10 April 2015. Registration to attend the event will open in the first week of March. Those interested can visit the Soweto Innovation Week website and sign up to be notified as soon as registration opens and to keep up to date with further announcements regarding the program and speakers.
