Luyanda Lunika
A quiet revolution of innovation and hope is unfolding in Johannesburg, driven by Joburg’s Smart City Office in collaboration with Wits University. Since 2020, their unique Smart City Innovation Challenge has aimed to empower Johannesburg residents to become architects of their own urban future.
Each year, the initiative invites residents, small business owners, students, and City employees to submit their boldest ideas for addressing Joburg’s most pressing challenges, from traffic congestion and waste management to housing and digital inclusion. The response to this call has been overwhelmingly positive.
At the heart of this transformative programme is Nelson Sekgota, the dedicated project manager who deeply believes in the power of ordinary people to instigate extraordinary change.
“This isn’t just a competition,” Sekgota states. “It’s a movement. It’s about giving people the tools and the voice to shape their communities.”
Workshops and town hall meetings are strategically conducted across the City, from Soweto to Sandton, providing participants with the knowledge to refine their concepts into actionable solutions. The most promising ideas receive not only recognition but also essential funding, mentorship, and the invaluable opportunity to pilot their innovations within real-life city settings.
The tangible impact of this initiative is already being felt. From a township-based recycling application to a low-cost smart lighting solution designed for informal settlements, these grassroots innovations are actively transforming Johannesburg into a truly smart city.
SOURCED FROM THE JOBURG CITY.
