MIDRAND - Gauteng premier David Makhura said on Friday South Africa must take the lead on the continent in advancing technological innovations relating to the fourth industrial revolution.
"South Africa must take a lead in order to ensure that we collectively harness the opportunities and navigate the challenges brought about by the advent of 4th Industrial Revolution. Africa cannot be left behind. We cannot be left out," Makhura told the 4th Industrial Revolution SA digital economy summit being hosted by an alliance from the public and private sectors, academia and civil society.
The 4IRSA partnership seeks to develop an inclusive, coherent, national response to the fourth industrial revolution for South Africa based on research and to complement and support other national activities relating to this. Gauteng province was determined to be play its part as the economic engine of South Africa and the industrial, technological and financial hub of sub-Saharan Africa, he added. The provincial government had also been working to shift the delivery of some public services to digital platforms, with positive feedback from residents.