Cisco makes good on SA investment

By Siyabonga Africa for Cisco
Johannesburg, 11 Mar 2009

Cisco is collaborating with Metropolis in establishing an Urban Leadership Academy that will demonstrate how cities can use technology more effectively to drive sustainability.

The networking company says the academy will form part of its contribution to government`s National Industrial Participation Programme.

The company`s initial investment came in the form of the Cisco Innovation Hub Technology Centre, worth more than R215 million, which is being built at the Innovation Hub, in Tshwane. The leadership academy will then be an extension of Cisco`s innovation hub.

Participation in the National Industrial Participation Programme becomes obligatory when the imported content of any public sector purchase exceeds more than $10 million (R102.9 million).

A Cisco statement says the Urban Leadership Academy is among several objectives in Johannesburg. The city is a member of the Metropolis association of 106 cities around the world.

Cisco has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Metropolis to develop its Vision 2030 for sustainable cities around the world enabled by networked technologies.

Under the MOU, the networking company will advise Metropolis on how to build a collaborative operating model between its members. It will also provide guidance on establishing the leadership academy to show how cities can use technology to advance initiatives such as decreasing pollution through intelligent urban development.

Consolidating the initiatives

Cisco regional manager for provincial and local government Kabelo Makwane explains the leadership academy in SA will focus on skills development, business incubation and leadership training. The initiative is a multi-pronged approach undertaken by Cisco in developing ICT in SA, he adds.

"Cisco has made a number of announcements related to the leadership academy, including our BEE transaction last year, which saw 25% of our shares going to the African Leadership Academy which is focused on leadership training in ICT."

It has partnered with various government departments, such the departments of trade and industry and education, in rolling out its business and educational programmes, including Cisco`s Talent Acquisition Programme and its entrepreneur institute.

"Essentially, our approach with government has been from a consolidated view and the main impetus has been to develop the ICT skills pool which we, at Cisco, think is vital for any smart city," says Makwane.

Team effort

Regional urban innovation centres will also be opened during the two-year period within which the Vision 2030 MOU will run.

Cisco will provide a digital collaboration platform for Metropolis members, which Makwane says forms part of Cisco`s "green initiative" to cut down carbon emissions by reducing the need for people to commute to attend meetings.

Metropolis president Jean Paul Huchon says the MOU with Cisco is important for Metropolis` network to develop the best way to build sustainable cities and to strengthen its goal of exchanging information and experience.