South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has formed a partnership with Cisco to enhance the country’s digital economy. The collaboration will focus on economic growth, digital skills, sustainable infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the digital transformation of government services. Cisco will support South Africa’s digital skills drive, contribute to job creation, and extend its network of EDGE Centres to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in the technology sector. The partnership aims to create a brighter digital future for South Africa, ultimately boosting the nation’s economic expansion.
How is South Africa’s digital economy being bolstered?
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has partnered with Cisco to enhance South Africa’s digital economy. The collaboration will focus on economic growth, digital skills and talent cultivation, sustainable vital national infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the digital transformation of government services. Cisco will back South Africa’s long-term digital skills drive, contribute to job creation, and promote positive economic expansion. Additionally, they will extend their network of EDGE Centres to assist Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises in the technology sector and offer business mentorship and training opportunities to enhance market access and visibility.
A Landmark Collaboration for Digital Advancement
The ongoing digital revolution is transforming the world, including South Africa. In a bid to enhance and fortify the nation’s digital economy, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cisco. This alliance marks a new chapter in the DCDT-Cisco Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) Program that commenced in 2019 as a three-year undertaking.
This MoU will see both parties cooperating in several key domains, such as economic growth, digital skills and talent cultivation, sustainable vital national infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the digital transformation of government services. By joining forces, DCDT and Cisco aim to lay the groundwork for a brighter digital future in South Africa, ultimately boosting the nation’s economic expansion.
The importance of this partnership is highlighted by the attendance of prominent figures at the MoU Signing Ceremony. The Honourable Minister Mondli Gungubele and Cisco CEO and Chairman, Mr. Chuck Robbins, were present to bear witness to this milestone event, reaffirming the dedication of both the public and private sectors to South Africa’s digital evolution.
Expanding Digital Skills and Economic Development
As a component of the CDA Program, Cisco will continue to back South Africa’s long-term digital skills drive, contributing to the country’s digitalization agenda. Additionally, Cisco will play a crucial role in enabling digital upskilling and training, fostering job creation, and promoting positive economic expansion.
Minister Mondli Gungubele stated, “With digitalization as the driving force of economic expansion, we take pride in Cisco’s partnership with DCDT, which will contribute towards South Africa’s economic growth. Together, we will expedite digital skills transformation, empowering South Africa’s youth and SMMEs while enabling an inclusive future for all.”
The cooperation between DCDT and Cisco aims to tackle challenges associated with skills development, job creation, and digital education. Building on the achievements of the last three years, the parties will collaborate in multiple areas.
Regarding economic development, Cisco will extend its network of EDGE (“Experience, Design, GTM (Go to Market) and Earn”) Centres to assist Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the technology sector. They will offer business mentorship, incubation, and training opportunities to enhance market access and visibility. Additionally, Cisco will support the DCDT DigiTech program, which seeks to advance the commercialization of locally developed digital innovations.
Strengthening Infrastructure and Digitizing Government Services
For skills and talent development, Cisco’s Networking Academy, one of the largest IT skills-to-jobs programs globally, will reinforce its collaboration with technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges. Furthermore, Cisco will cooperate with DCDT to establish new Networking Academy partnerships in correctional facilities and continue to support the development of Digital Learning Hubs in public libraries.
To create a sustainable and secure critical national infrastructure, Cisco and DCDT will identify projects focusing on vital areas such as energy, transportation, healthcare, government services, agriculture, mining, national ports, broadband connectivity, modernization of government IT infrastructure, and national cybersecurity.
Lastly, both parties will collaborate on the digital transformation of government services and preparing the public sector workforce for a digital future. Utilizing Cisco’s Digital Solutions for Connected Government Services, they will help create architecture blueprints centered on citizen experience, mission-critical services, public safety, justice, and cybersecurity. Moreover, Cisco will partner with DCDT to provide digital education content to government employees and officials through the establishment of a Government Digital Academy.
Looking Ahead to a Promising Digital Future
The accomplishments of the initial DCDT-Cisco Country Digital Acceleration collaboration instill confidence in the success of this new chapter. Reflecting on these achievements, Director-General Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani from the Department of Communications and Digital Technology said, “The positive outcomes of our collaboration have motivated us to embark on the next phase. Consequently, we have agreed to further expand our collaboration and venture into new domains, with plans to harness Cisco’s expertise, among others, in cybersecurity.”
In summary, the MoU signed between the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and Cisco lays the foundation for a promising digital future in South Africa. By jointly addressing critical challenges and advancing digital initiatives, both parties are paving the way toward sustainable economic growth and an inclusive society where everyone can enjoy the benefits of the digital era.
1. What is the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT)?
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) is a government department in South Africa responsible for the country’s digital economy and communication technologies.
2. Who has DCDT partnered with to enhance South Africa’s digital economy?
DCDT has partnered with Cisco to enhance South Africa’s digital economy.
3. What are the focus areas of the DCDT and Cisco partnership?
The collaboration will focus on economic growth, digital skills and talent cultivation, sustainable vital national infrastructure, cybersecurity, and the digital transformation of government services.
4. How will Cisco contribute to South Africa’s digital skills drive?
Cisco will continue to back South Africa’s long-term digital skills drive, contributing to the country’s digitalization agenda. Additionally, Cisco will play a crucial role in enabling digital upskilling and training, fostering job creation, and promoting positive economic expansion.
5. What is the CDA Program?
The Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) Program is a three-year initiative between the DCDT and Cisco aimed at enhancing and fortifying South Africa’s digital economy.
6. What initiatives will Cisco undertake to support Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the technology sector?
Cisco will extend its network of EDGE Centres to assist SMMEs in the technology sector. They will offer business mentorship, incubation, and training opportunities to enhance market access and visibility.
7. How will DCDT and Cisco collaborate to transform government services?
Utilizing Cisco’s Digital Solutions for Connected Government Services, they will help create architecture blueprints centered on citizen experience, mission-critical services, public safety, justice, and cybersecurity. Moreover, Cisco will partner with DCDT to provide digital education content to government employees and officials through the establishment of a Government Digital Academy.
8. What is the ultimate goal of the DCDT and Cisco partnership?
The partnership aims to create a brighter digital future for South Africa, ultimately boosting the nation’s economic expansion and promoting an inclusive society where everyone can enjoy the benefits of the digital era.
