Author: Prof Eldrid Jordaan
The Presidency’s announcement of a National Dialogue presents an opportunity for reflection—but unless paired with action and modern tools for inclusion, it risks becoming another ceremonial talk shop. South Africa is not short on platforms for citizen input—we have the Presidential Hotline, Imbizos, and the District Development Model. We also have access to digital citizen engagement platforms that already connect millions of South Africans to local government structures daily. These platforms are low-cost, high-impact, and inclusive by design—allowing real-time feedback and visibility across issues like healthcare, education, social grants, and municipal services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, technology proved vital in…
As South Africa commemorates Youth Day, we honour the brave students of 1976 who stood against injustice with clarity of purpose and unwavering courage. Their legacy is not merely one of resistance, but of vision — a belief in a future worth building. Today, that responsibility rests on a new generation of young South Africans navigating a world reshaped by digital transformation, economic uncertainty, and global shifts. In my own journey across technology, governance, and entrepreneurship — from founding GovChat, South Africa’s official citizen engagement platform, to co-founding Suppple PLC, a company listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange – one…
I extend heartfelt congratulations to Melvyn Lubega on his appointment to lead South Africa’s new digital service unit. His experience as a tech entrepreneur and systems thinker brings fresh momentum to the country’s digital transformation journey. This is not just an appointment — it’s a statement of intent. As the founder of GovChat, South Africa’s largest citizen engagement platform, I’ve witnessed first-hand both the promise and the pain points of driving large-scale digital transformation in partnership with government. The road is not easy, but it is necessary. As we look ahead to what Melvyn’s leadership can deliver, it’s vital that we reflect…
As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to meet former U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss trade relations and sensitive topics such as the controversial narrative around “white genocide,” there’s a far more pressing and forward-looking issue that deserves equal attention on the agenda: the stifling grip of Big Tech on African innovation. While geopolitical discourse may dominate headlines, the quiet war on African digital sovereignty is being waged in boardrooms and courtrooms. One such example is the ongoing legal standoff between South Africa’s GovChat—a citizen engagement platform endorsed and supported by the South African government—and the American tech giant, Meta Platforms…
