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The City of Johannesburg’s Smart City office continues to push boundaries by making the most of the talent and innovation available both inside and outside of the government.
Every year, the City launches a search for best smart digital technology solutions through “Smart City Innovation Challenge” to help citizens stay connected and allow businesses, citizens and public administrations to find ways to respond faster and in a more integrated way to both crisis situations and daily life.
The Smart City Innovation Challenge is the City’s initiative in collaboration with Wits University’s Tshimologong Innovation Precinct to find and develop digital technology solutions that respond to urban and community challenges.
The solutions need to accelerate service delivery, improve the liveability and safety of the City and enhance operational efficiencies. The initiative is aimed at maximising the use of technology to empower residents and to find solutions to Joburg’s most pressing issues.
Lawrence Boya, the Smart City Office Leader, said this year’s innovation challenge sought to find solutions with the special focus to respond to gender-based violence, economic development & township economies, 4IR readiness for smart citizens, institutional operations and management, predictive analytics to improve asset management, food security as well as energy efficiency.
“After months of trying to get the best solutions from the large volume of applications that we received, initially we had advertised for three winners, however, with the quality of the solutions we received, I am glad to announce that we will have four winners who will each pocket half a million rand and an opportunity to pilot their solutions with the City departments or entities in the line of business linked to the chosen solution,” said Boya.
Tshimologong Precinct CEO Lesley Donna Williams said: “Developing a smart city is associated with being an entrepreneurial city that listens and responds to the real needs of its citizens. This is the breeding ground for digital innovation and our partnership with the City of Joburg enables startups to apply their tech solutions in service of society.”
The Smart City Innovation Challenge winners will be officially announced towards the end of June 2022.
Written by Luyanda Lunika
07/06/2022
