Dr Mamphela Ramphele's Presentation

Dr Mamphela Ramphele presentation on her experiences from the World Bank and Anglo American.

Having raised both excitement about the opportunities, and caution about the challenges, Ramphele took the stage. “I'd just like to say how proud I am to be South African. What happened here this morning is an affirmation of what we're capable of when we just dig a little deeper and make an effort.”

She said: “The most important thing is that government must create an enabling environment, and tackle the regulatory barriers.” Citing the difficulty of trading globally from a South African base, due to exchange control and tax regulations, she exclaimed: "I can't believe that we can't sell to people who pay in dollars. How stupid is that? How can we grow our economy?”

Ramphele explained there's a misalignment between what government wants to do and what it does do, and where it can take the lead, it should do so. “For example, our school system is not delivering, and neither is our higher education system.”

Another factor was the unintended consequences of black empowerment. “It appears that patronage has been an inhibitor to innovation. We need to get people back to SA by recognising and celebrating their contribution. We must do that.”

This is the role, she believes, that the Technology Innovation Agency should be playing, as an enabler, and an agent in removing the barriers that are highlighted by initiatives like Silicon Cape.