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Mail & Guardian
08-07-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Accelerating South Africa's Intelligent Future: Huawei Connect 2025 Showcases Pathways to Industrial Transformation
Solly Malatsi, Hon. Minister of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies Huawei held its highly anticipated Huawei South Africa Connect 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa, bringing together over 2,900 leaders from government, business, and the technology sector to explore how intelligent technologies can power the country's advance from digital adoption to intelligent transformation. Themed Accelerate Industrial Digital Intelligence for South Africa , the event focused on how artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and smart platforms are reshaping industries — moving beyond connectivity to build a truly intelligent and sustainable future, enabling industry growth, unlocking inclusion, and driving long-term national development. At the event, Hon. Minister of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, noted that South Africa has developed four measurable Ministerial Priorities: Expanding Connectivity and Access to Devices, Building a Digitally Skilled Society, Unlocking the Productive Use of Technology, and Creating a Supportive Environment for Inclusion and Investment. These four priorities aim to build an innovative and high-performing digital ecosystem for all South Africans. 'South Africa is not only embracing new technologies, but we are helping to shape how they apply across the continent and the globe. We recognise that digital transformation is a powerful driver of innovation, efficiency, and inclusion. From rural clinics offering visual consultations and learners accessing online education, to township entrepreneurs taking full advantage of technological solutions to market their products beyond the boundaries of our country, we have seen its true impact here at home,' he adds. Will Meng, Ceo Of Huawei South Africa Will Meng, CEO of Huawei South Africa, delivered the opening address, describing digital transformation as the foundation for economic growth and national progress — but emphasising that South Africa is now entering the age of intelligence, where cloud, AI, and smart systems will define the next chapter of development. 'We stand at the dawn of the age of intelligence, where AI, cloud computing and smart systems are revolutionising industries, unlocking opportunities and redefining efficiency. At Huawei, our goal is very clear – to accelerate South Africa's journey to industrial digital intelligence, driving innovation, boosting productivity and ensuring long-term competitiveness because technology is a tool for people, empowering communities, uplifting lives, and building a brighter future,' says Meng. Joy Huang, Vice President of Huawei Cloud As intelligent transformation becomes central to industry evolution, Joy Huang, Vice President of Huawei Cloud, shared how Huawei's cloud-first approach is enabling AI innovation across sectors. 'Huawei Cloud is dedicated to offering AI-native cloud services. By innovating with our customers and partners together to accelerate AI-driven innovations and implementing our 'Cloud for AI' and 'AI for Cloud' strategies, we aim to expedite intelligent transformation across industries in South Africa.' Hong-Eng Koh, Global Chief Public Services Industry Scientist of Huawei Hong-Eng Koh, Global Chief Public Services Industry Scientist of Huawei, outlined the broader shifts driving the new era of transformation, cautioning that successful adoption depends on more than infrastructure and platforms; 'Digital transformation is not about technology, it's about transforming your business to make it relevant. But getting ready for the intelligent world requires several critical elements to ensure success: governance and structures must reflect this evolving landscape; laws and regulation must be protective without being restrictive; and we must invest in skills and talent, security and sovereignty, and sustainability.' Gene Zhang, CEO of Huawei South Africa Enterprise Business Gene Zhang, CEO of Huawei South Africa Enterprise Business, further introduced Huawei's deep commitment to South Africa's intelligent transformation journey, drawing on 26 years of local innovation and collaboration. He emphasised that Huawei's strategy has evolved through key phases — from building foundational connectivity, to cloud adoption, and now embracing an All Intelligence strategy which includes a reference architecture, four enablement models, and over 200 industry solutions to help accelerate digital and intelligent transformation across finance, government, education, healthcare, transportation, energy, internet service providers (ISP), and more. 'With a deep understanding of diverse industry needs, Huawei has developed a comprehensive six-layer reference architecture that spans intelligent sensing, connectivity, foundational platforms, AI models, and industry-specific applications. This open and collaborative framework empowers businesses to accelerate their intelligent transformation with greater agility, security, and trust,' said Zhang. Peter Zhang, Vice President of Global Partner, Commercial & Distribution, Enterprise Sales, Huawei Partnerships were highlighted as another cornerstone of Huawei's strategy. Peter Zhang, Vice President of Global Partner, Commercial & Distribution, Enterprise Sales, Huawei, emphasised the importance of ecosystem collaboration to achieve shared transformation goals, 'Our strategy in the government and enterprise market is 'Partners + Huawei'. Huawei attaches great importance to partner development and will constantly enhance investment and support for partners.' In South Africa, Huawei has collaborated with over 1,400 local companies to jointly address customers' digital and intelligent transformation needs. Additionally, leveraging over 3,000 courses covering 22 technical categories, Huawei aims to train over 50,000 ICT professionals in the region by 2028. Jonas Bogoshi, CEO of Business Connexion Group (BCX) At the event, Jonas Bogoshi, CEO of Business Connexion Group (BCX), and customers from sectors like government, transportation, electric power, finance, and ISP, shared their success stories of digital and intelligent transformation. 'The world has changed. For us to be relevant, we must create value at scale. And if we want to create value at scale, then we have no option but to invest in digital technology. But, for South Africa to truly benefit, isolated innovations won't suffice. We need to focus on building ecosystems that digitise public services, improve lives, reduce inequality, and develop digital talent. Therefore, we need to invest in technology that will allow enterprises to become a node in a more connected, more intelligent economy. Only then can we realise the full dividend of digital transformation,' said Bogoshi. Two dynamic panels were held to deepen discussions on South Africa's digital future. The 'Amplifying Public Sector Digitalisation' panel featured Peter Mafagana from ACTO, Broadband Infraco; Roche Mogorosi, Chief Information Officer at Gauteng Department of Education; Len De Villiers, CTIO of Eskom Group; and Ayanda Saki, General Manager: Application, Data and Channels of Prasa Group, who explored ways to accelerate public sector digital transformation. Additionally, the 'Accelerating Industry Intelligence' panel brought together Khomotso Molabe, CIO of Personal and Private Banking at Standard Bank Group; Francois Swart, Chief Digital Officer of Maziv Group; Garth Messina, Head of Infrastructure at Woolworths; and Victor Thobakgale, Group Technology Operations Lead at African Rainbow Minerals, focusing on how intelligent technologies can drive innovation and efficiency across industries. Huawei has been doing business in the country for 26 years, its presence led by the ethos 'In South Africa, for South Africa'. Huawei has consistently provided leading ICT infrastructure on top of talent development and technological innovation platforms to further the development of South Africa's digital and intelligent economy. Moving forward, Huawei will continue to work closely with customers and partners, gain profound insights into industry scenarios and needs, provide customised solutions, and jointly build a thriving ecosystem.
Epoch Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Aussie Streaming Quotas Could Divert $200 Million From Hollywood: Trump Official
Australia has been named as one of several governments that 'undercut' the U.S. film industry, according to a social media post by a top U.S. trade official. On May 23, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer wrote about the Trump administration's efforts to bring big budget Hollywood productions back onshore, appointing 'special ambassadors to Hollywood' to try kickstart the initiative. The move comes after the administration approved a 'Over 80 countries offer production tax incentives, resulting in many productions that could have been filmed in the United States locating elsewhere,' Greer 'Many blockbusters have been filmed in Canada, Croatia, France, New Zealand, and several other countries, which offer generous incentives, while overall production in the U.S. was down 26 percent in 2024 compared to 2021.' Greer named the Australian Labor government's impending National Cultural Policy 'Revive.' Related Stories 4/29/2025 4/10/2025 'Australia's National Cultural Policy, released in January 2023, recommends imposing Australian screen content requirements on streaming video services,' he said. According to Greer, these rules could lead U.S.-based platforms spending between $220 million and $440 million annually in Australia, instead of in the United States. The Hollywood sign in Los Angeles on Nov. 16, Are the Current Quotas? Content quotas require broadcasters and digital platforms to invest or broadcast a specified amount of local content, aimed at maintaining the local culture. Revive earmarks a production expenditure model where streaming companies need to spend a portion of locally derived revenue—up to 30 percent for the largest platforms—on Australian drama. The other suggestion is mandating that 10 percent be invested in new local productions, which could later rise to 20 percent. The policy remains under development. 'Countries typically rely on tools like local content quotas. For example, France and Australia have requirements for domestic content on radio and streaming platforms, and China restricts access to foreign film licenses through a strict annual cap,' said Vladimir Tyazhelnikov, senior lecturer in economics and specialist in global tariffs, in The Epoch Times has reached out to Tony Burke, the minister for art and culture for latest reaction but did not receive a response in time for publication. During Senate Estimates in May 2024, officials from the Department of Communications confirmed that the Revive proposal was still being refined ahead of Cabinet consideration. The issue hit a roadblock when trade experts and industry representatives raising concerns that the proposed quotas might violate terms of the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA). Australia's Response So Far Australia's ambassador to Washington, former Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, recently flagged concerns over the 100 percent tariff on imported films. Speaking at a public forum, Rudd warned such a move could hinder cultural exchange. 'I don't think we want to see a tax on Bluey,' he said, referencing the Brisbane-made children's show that has become the most streamed program in the United States. Meanwhile, some local experts are concerned of the impact it could have on the Australian industry, given its heavily reliance on U.S. productions. 'The impact on Australia would be swift and severe. States such as New South Wales and Queensland have built robust screen production industries, attracting major international projects such as Thor: Love and Thunder, Elvis, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and The Fall Guy,' said Mike Seymour, an Emmy-nominated visual effects professional and senior lecturer at the University of Sydney Business School. 'These productions inject millions into local economies and support a wide network of jobs in everything from set design and location services to visual effects and post-production. 'When Australian screen content is under pressure because of the rise of global streamers and the decline of free-to-air broadcasting, these international partnerships are more important than ever.'
