Author: Dr Sunil Piyarlall
By 2050, two-thirds of the world’s people will live in cities. South Africa is already feeling that pull as more people move to metros in search of work and opportunity. Many of our cities are struggling to keep pace. Ageing utilities, unreliable services and congested roads are making daily life harder and slowing growth. A smart city uses data and technology to improve how essential services run, from traffic and energy to healthcare and safety, so that urban life becomes more efficient, resilient and liveable. None of this works without a strong digital foundation. Traffic lights that adjust in real…
As the 45th Southern Africa Telecommunications Association (SATA) Conference wrapped up at the Sandton Convention Centre in April, the spotlight turned to one of the region’s most pressing challenges: the digital divide. Despite significant growth in mobile internet coverage, with 65% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa having access to 4G connectivity in 2022 compared to just 19% in 2017, millions of Africans still struggle to leverage the full power and potential of the internet. This signals not just an issue of access but one of usage, marking the next frontier for digital transformation across the SADC region. While connectivity continues to…