Collaboration and calls for increased investment took centre stage during the North West Provincial National Cleantech Innovation Challenge (NCIC) Awards, organised by the Mahikeng Digital Innovation Hub at the Mahikeng Multipurpose Centre.
The awards sought to celebrate emerging cleantech innovators and highlight potential entrepreneurial opportunities within the industry.
The Hub’s CEO, Joseph Ndaba, said solutions to the socio-economic challenges facing local communities can be found through science and technology.
“It cannot be that a municipality is facing challenges while we have innovators in the province. Please engage with our innovators. When they knock on your doors, please listen to them. We are willing to simplify some of the technical terms to ensure better understanding. I urge all municipalities to come on board and become part of this ecosystem. Assist us by providing the platform and resources required to guarantee success,” Ndaba appealed.
He expressed confidence in the newly formed partnership between the Hub and the Premier’s Office.
“We hosted the Premier about two weeks ago, and he enquired about the kind of support we need from the provincial government. One of our key requests was additional support for our innovators. Without the backing of the province, we can innovate as much as we want, but if our leaders do not buy into our vision, we will not achieve the desired results,” Ndaba said.
The CEO concluded by reaffirming the Hub’s commitment to continuing to bridge the skills development gap through innovation and meaningful partnerships with government and key stakeholders.
