Summary
Tech Industry is Expanding
What makes the 4IR stand out
Training the next generation to understand the consequences and benefits
The country’s Tech industry is experiencing significant market growth.1 It is being argued that the continent is in the midst of a tech revolution, with certain nations displaying unparalleled growth.2 In particular, South Africa has proven itself as a particular reliable generator of revenue and innovator of technology, leading the way in the disruptive delivery of services such as mobile software, electronic banking and security software.3 South Africa has started to receive more interest from offshore investors, with big- name brands currently operating in the country, including IBM, Intel and Microsoft.4 But what are the reasons given for the sudden tech boom in South Africa, and what kinds of innovative technology will be at the forefront of this innovative revolution.5 (The Mail and Guardian)
Like many countries in the Far East and Latin America and even in its own African region, the Rainbow nation is still testing the waters of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, 4IR, which has tended to be more frequent in the developed world.6 Although South Africa may still need to reach its potential in terms of the world wide 4IR progress, there’s no denying that it is on the fast track to becoming one of Africa’s most proactive nations regarding innovations in disruptive tech.7 Digitalization has played a key role in recent market growth in the nation, with more South Africana now using smart phones and high-speed internet than they had previously.8 At the beginning of this year, there were around 43.8 million users in the country, with a total internet penetration rate of 72.3% of the population.9 This signifies an increase in around 357 000 people in 2022.10 (The Mail and Guardian)
Rasulullah ﷺ said, ” Whoever relieves a believer’s distress of the distressful aspects of this world, Allah will rescue him from a difficulty of the difficulties of the Hereafter.”
An ever-larger proportion the nation’s populace (78.7%) now makes the use of mobile devices to access the internet – this is forecast to top 90% in the next four years.11 (The Mail and Guardian)
The use of mobile devices is on the rise. This follows the expansion of the internet and the opening of the borders. As free trade is expanded through AfCFTA and we look to improve farming methods African peoples in Africa will want to communicate more. This is how they will do it. The increase in mobile devices like cell phones, laptops and I Pads will lead to a further sharing of information by people. South Africa has a long path ahead of it, to engage in the production of this new technology. The further integration of the African continent will lead to an increase in the use of such mobile devices to discuss business relations and trade. E mails and SMSs will form part of this business communication. It will lead to an understanding between nations in Africa about what each country wants. There will be greater discussion and debate about where Africans want the continent as a whole to go.
South Africa has its role to play in being the continent’s gateway in terms of expanding social media such as face book and twitter. It is also one of the pillars that can expand education concerning the fourth industrial Revolution to the rest of the continent concerning the Internet of Things, Robotics, Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence etc.
Policy makers, educators and researchers have all recognized 4IR in education as one of the best approaches for preparing students for the future world of work.12 As Schwab (2020) has argued, the interaction of modern technologies across the physical, digital and biological spheres have all made the 4IR look different from previous industrial revolutions.13 For Uleanya and Ke (2019), it is the development of the Internet of Things (IOT), Robotics etc. and a host of novelty technologies, which have immensely changed the way human beings relate with each other whenever executing their daily activities.14 These developments have eventually forced many governments to incorporate 4IR in their education systems as a means of offering instructions to students.15 It is these developments that have given rise to different forms of education such as e-learning, online learning, blended learning, virtual learning, lifelong learning and so on.16 (Frontiers)
Children are being trained from an early and impressionable age to be prepared for future jobs in this 4IR. They will be expected to have some basic knowledge of how a super computer or a robot/droid works. They will be expected to now how these devices store and share information. Super Computers and robotics will be generally powered by AI. Renewable energy such as solar and wind also have their role to play in this phase of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Communication would be the key, especially between governments and the private sector. Everyone will want to know what agreements are in place, such as trade, tourism or diplomacy. Both Pretoria and South African businesses should be aware of the potential digital and satellite has in shaping the country’s economy and making it into a regional power. The use of satellite however has its limits, such as the weather, and wired internet will still be used.
The times are changing and so is the use of technology.
Sources
South African tech industry experiences significant market growth
Frontiers1mon
Department of Education and Curriculum Studies, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa This study sought to examine how the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR … as Fairness by John … 12 13 14 15 16