4IR commission presents recommendations to President Ramaphosa

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Following the appointment of the Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) by President Ramaphosa April 2019, the commission has finally come up with recommendations which they presented to the president on Thursday.

The commission which was chaired the president and deputised by University of Johannesburg Professor Tshilidzi Marwala was given a task to identify relevant policies, strategies and action plans that would position South Africa as a competitive global player.

The report which was presented by Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and Deputy Chair of the Commission Professor Tshilidzi Marwala suggests that South Africa stands a good chance of being competitive in the 4IR landscape globally.

Presidency said the report was welcomed by the president and the commission will then present the report before the cabinet before it is published.

“The Commission has made recommendations spanning such strategic areas as the country’s investment in human capital; artificial intelligence; advanced manufacturing and new materials; the provision of data to enable innovation; future industries and 4IR infrastructure.”

“Following its publication, the report will form the basis of a national discussion on how all sectors of society can contribute to a technologically enabled future that brings about greater economic and social inclusion, and enhances the competitiveness of the South African economy.”

President Ramaphosa urged the Commission to place 4IR at the centre of economic recovery, to enable the country to emerge from the damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“South Africa must be a more technologically driven country that finds solutions that move us forward, with 4IR as a pivot for economic recovery.”

The President said digital transformation had to be harnessed “to change the way we live, learn, work and govern”.