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Stuff from Johannesburg

Johannesburg Gets Ready For Digital Transformation Congress 2019

The second annual Digital Transformation Congress, returns to Johannesburg after a successful summit in 2018 attended by senior business executives & enterprise IT vendors from leading organisations such as Petro SA, Transnet, Nedbank, Sasria SOC, Eskom, Loreal, Liberty Group, Alexander Forbes, Parmalat, Adobe, T-Systems, TransUnion, Braintree, Darktrace, and more.

Hosted by IT News Africa, this year’s summit will take place on the 30th of July 2019, at The Sandton Convention Centre under the theme “Gaining the edge through technology”

Albeit a buzzword in business- with its all encompassing nature, the concept of digital transformation is one that is not wholly understood – proving to be both a great opportunity as well as a major challenge for businesses. In order to adapt and innovate in the ever changing technology landscape it is imperative that organisations adopt digital initiatives that are positioned in line with their company culture and customer needs.

The 2nd Digital Transformation Congress is one of the most comprehensive technology events of 2019, where hundreds of senior executives will meet to advance their knowledge of the latest business technologies and digital innovations such as AI, IoT, blockchain, IT security, 5G and robotics, and how they impact business operations. The congress will also outline ways that businesses can use technology to gain the edge over competitors.

Key topics for DTC 2019 include:

  • Preparing your workforce for the digital age
  • Discovering what digital transformation maturity is and highlighting its benefits
  • Exploring the business impact of AI
  • Using cloud as a digital transformation tool
  • Digitally transforming the manufacturing industry
  • Digital opportunities in the transportation and logistics sector
  • Accelerating digital transformation in government to enhance service delivery.

The conference will host local and international visionaries, business leaders, industry luminaries and expert practitioners – all sharing their first-hand knowledge of real-world digital transformation journeys.

Confirmed speakers for DTC 2019 include:

  • JOHANNA KOLLAR – Head of Products Partnerships, MEA at Google
  • MAYUR PATEL – CEO of Kwese iFlix
  • ANEESA AMEER – Innovation Lead at ABSA Group
  • AVSHARN BACHOO – CTO at PPS Insurance
  • JOSEPH HUNDAH – Group CEO at Econet Media
  • NATHAN van ROOYEN – IIT Director at Virgin Active, South Africa
  • ANTOINIA NORMAN – CEO, Richard Branson Entrepreneurship Hub, Member at UN Women
  • ANDRE HUGO – CEO at Virgin Money South Africa
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The Maboneng Precinct: Architecture

Maboneng is architecturally distinct because it rejects the “demolish and rebuild” philosophy. Instead, it embraces adaptive reuse. The Bioscope, South Africa’s only independent cinema, operates out of an old industrial space; The Living Room is a lush rooftop oasis that offers panoramic views of the skyline from atop a concrete shell; and the Museum of African Design (MOAD) was housed in a massive 1970s warehouse. This aesthetic—exposed brick, industrial steel, and vibrant street art—has become the visual shorthand for “cool” Johannesburg. The murals here are particularly significant; they aren’t just decoration but are often massive social commentaries by local and international street artists like Faith47 and ROA, turning the very walls of the city into a public gallery.

However, Maboneng is also at the center of a complex debate regarding gentrification and social integration. Critics argue that while the precinct is a “bubble” of safety and creativity, it often stands in stark contrast to the surrounding poverty of the inner city. The challenge for Maboneng has always been how to be an engine for economic growth without alienating the residents who lived there during the “dark” years. In response, many initiatives within the precinct focus on local entrepreneurship, such as the Market on Main, which provides a platform for local food vendors and designers every Sunday.