MICT SETA

As we reflect on an extraordinary three days at the and Expo, we take a moment to revisit where it all began; the opening address by our CEO, Mr. Matome Madibana.

Mr. Madibana set the tone from the very start, unpacking the vision behind the Symposium and reinforcing the critical role of collaboration, innovation, and future-focused thinking in shaping South Africa's digital future.

He challenged us to move research beyond theory - evolving ideas into practical, scalable solutions that drive real social and economic impact. With ICT as a catalyst for transformation across sectors including agriculture, mining, and food security, his message was anchored in building a more connected, inclusive, and innovation-led nation.

He also spoke directly to the importance of youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and bridging the digital divide through localised solutions built for African realities.

The charge was clear: a future-ready South Africa will be built through collective action, bold innovation, and partnerships that turn ideas into lasting impact.

To every delegate, speaker, Research Chair, student, and partner who showed up and contributed - thank you.

The energy you brought to CPUT Bellville Campus made this event truly memorable. 🙏🏾

See you Soon!

The cybersecurity skills conversation is happening - and MICT SETA is in the room.
Our CEO, Mr. Matome Madibana, joins fellow industry leaders at the to discuss the future of cybersecurity talent, AI education, and the cross-sector partnerships needed to close critical skills gaps in South Africa's digital economy.

Building a future-ready workforce demands curiosity, creativity, agility, and practical experience. Most importantly, it demands collaboration.

As we drew closer to the official close of the , Day 3 featured yet a pivotal panel discussion titled “Financing Innovation: Funding, Incubation and Scaling 4IR Start-Ups.”

The session focused on the economic engine of the innovation ecosystem, bringing together capital allocators, national development agencies, and corporate innovation leaders to explore how funding pipelines and support structures can better enable South African tech entrepreneurs.

Speakers emphasised the importance of blending financial investment with technical and in-kind support, while also addressing South Africa’s growing need for skills financing, apprenticeships, and work-integrated learning (WIL) programmes to strengthen the digital economy and support SMME growth.

The session reinforced a clear message: a thriving 4IR ecosystem depends on aligned funding, skills development, and collaborative partnerships that enable innovation to scale meaningfully.