The three will learn their fate at the awards ceremony to be held in May next year. They are Operation Fikelela, a non-profit organisation "broadening post-school options for previously disadvantaged school leavers"; SIMpill, dealing in medication management; and Ulwazi Project, an e-learning partnership using broadband radio networks to connect schools in Pretoria North.
With social responsibility being such a huge deal in industry right now, and academia doing its best to highlight the talent that we have in South Africa, this is a wonderful opportunity to further a worthy cause.
I have recently had the privilege to conduct one-on-one interviews with finalists in the IT Personality and ICT Leadership Awards, people who have been recognised as thought leaders and innovators within our industry. They all agree that something has to be done to further create a platform that showcases the country`s talent and ability when it comes to innovation in ICT.
There has been an outcry about the lack of skilled IT practitioners in the country, especially with companies poaching skilled labour from their competitors. With this comes a need for replenishment.
A professor from the University of Joburg says the industry`s worst enemy is itself, when it cannibalises its own talent. I agree. There are many instances of snapping up junior graduates when they could be better used to research solutions to the real challenges that face a growing economy.
Back to the matter at hand, I am sure you will all agree when I say the Stockholm Challenge is just one of the vehicles we could use to highlight the smaller projects that benefit disadvantaged parts of society, thus ensuring every South African gets a chance to shape our economic fortunes.Sipho Memela
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