Latest news with #TshepangMosiea
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
eThekwini Municipality takes strides towards smart city status at MIRA Awards
With 'service delivery' emerging as a pivotal theme for municipalities across South Africa, eThekwini Municipality is making significant progress towards achieving Smart City status. This ambition was underscored when eThekwini was honoured at the Municipal Innovation Recognition Awards (MIRA) held in Durban on June 30, which celebrated its innovative efforts in improving basic functions through technology. Smart Cities leverage information and communication technology to enhance infrastructure and services, ultimately leading to a better quality of life for residents and businesses. Despite being just in its second year, the MIRA Awards have swiftly established themselves as a key benchmark for municipalities seeking to innovate and improve public service delivery. The MIRA Awards are a collaboration between the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). They are rooted in the sophisticated Municipal Innovation Maturity Index (Mimi), which measures the level of innovation within municipalities. Dr Tshepang Mosiea, Chief Director of Innovation for Inclusive Development within the DSTI, noted that municipalities reaching Level 4 on the Mimi scale demonstrate strong management processes and a commitment to innovation. 'There is evidence that the municipality has the necessary innovation infrastructure and financial resources allocated and managed to support innovation,' Dr Mosiea explained. According to UKZN Associate Professor Sithembiso Myeni, the focus of the index is to enhance public service delivery while fostering a culture of innovation that has the potential to transform communities. Higher scores on the index mean municipalities can unlock public funding, facilitating the journey toward smart city designation. Smart Cities are anticipated to create optimal environments, addressing sustainability challenges like climate change through initiatives that reduce carbon emissions and promote efficient resource use. At the MIRA Awards, the City of Cape Town stood out for its one-stop business portal, with other innovators including Ekurhuleni for its approach to combatting non-revenue water and Polokwane for its My Citizen App. Meanwhile, the Chris Hani District Municipality made strides in ensuring access to clean drinking water through the Machibini Water Treatment Plant. The MIMI framework not only rates basic services but also measures improvements in areas such as sanitation and energy consumption. Its development into a digital platform aims to streamline its use and enhance the analysis of municipalities' innovation capabilities. This year's event also unveiled the Municipal Innovation Fund (MIF), aimed at supporting high-performing municipalities in scaling innovative projects designed to bolster basic service delivery. Established by the DSTI, the fund will offer up to R3 million per project, enabling qualifying municipalities to harness technologies that have measurable community impacts. With eThekwini Municipality fully engaged in these transformative efforts, the pursuit of Smart City status not only promises enhanced service delivery, but also a brighter future for its residents. As municipalities increasingly incorporate technology into their operations, the hope is that they will set a powerful precedent for others across the nation. DAILY NEWS
TimesLIVE
25-06-2025
- Science
- TimesLIVE
Municipalities to be lauded for trailblazing projects
While many municipalities are in crisis there are those punching above their weight when it comes to innovation. That's according to chief director of Innovation for Inclusive Development in the department of science, technology and innovation, Tshepang Mosiea, who said this ahead of the 2025 Municipal Innovation Recognition Awards (Mira). The awards, to be held on June 30, are part of the Viability and Validation of Innovations for Service Delivery Programme, spearheaded by the department of science, technology and innovation in collaboration with the South African Local Government Association (Salga) and the University of KZN. 'Insomuch as we persevere as a fairly young democracy to ensure all South Africans are considered equal, we would be foolish to negate the historical framework within which we are operating,' said Mosiea on Tuesday. 'There are far-flung rural areas that are completely cut off from the most basic necessities like health care and education, and it is for this purpose innovation plays such an important role in expediting growth.' 'The awards seek to unearth innovation and technology municipalities are leveraging to ensure efficient service delivery — something the minister of science, technology and innovation Professor Blade Nzimande has prioritised, and which is in line with his mantra of placing science, technology and innovation at the centre of society and government.' Associate professor at UKZN's school of built environment and development studies, Sithembiso Myeni, told TimesLIVE 51 projects were submitted from 20 municipalities. 'Among the objectives of Mira is to recognise and appreciate current innovation lighthouse initiatives implemented by municipalities to improve the delivery of basic services. This objective is attainable through category three of the Mira, which is directed towards recognition of trailblazing projects. ' The Western Cape is the province represented by the highest number of municipalities with trailblazing projects, adding up to 21 in total.' He said some of the innovations equipped employees and citizens with digital skills which presents 'a good initiative, especially considering that we are moving towards, if not already in, an era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)". He said municipalities were investing in recycling infrastructure and aware of the need to strengthen water provision systems. 'The nature of entrance and the number of submissions received reflects the long desire from the municipalities to showcase their innovative initiatives. This has proved the importance and uniqueness of the Mira in terms of encouraging the uptake of innovation in municipalities and encouraging municipal leadership and officials to adopt innovation and technology in the delivery of basic services.' At the inaugural awards event in 2023, Myeni was recognised as the 'champion' of the Municipal Innovation Maturity Index (Mimi), a tool used to assess and benchmark municipal innovation. That year, uMhlathuze local municipality was recognised for using drone technology to tackle water loss and improve water supply planning. The initiative responded to growing water demand driven by population growth, with illegal and unbilled connections identified as major contributors to losses.
The Herald
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Municipalities urged to adopt tech-driven service delivery approaches
A national competition is calling for municipalities to ditch excuses and show what is possible through innovation. Entries have officially opened for the 2025 Municipal Innovation Recognition Awards (Mira) which recognise unconventional solutions and new ways of doing things that offer municipal customers a different experience in the advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution and beyond. The awards, to be held on June 30, are part of the Viability and Validation of Innovations for Service Delivery Programme, spearheaded by the department of science, technology and innovation in collaboration with the SA Local Government Association (Salga) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. 'Municipalities across the country, many of which are under administration, besieged by community protests or struggling to maintain basic services such as water, electricity and waste management, are encouraged to showcase projects that offer innovative solutions,' said Dr Tshepang Mosiea, chief director for innovation for inclusive development at the department of science, technology and innovation. He said while many municipalities may be in crisis, pockets of excellence must be recognised, supported and replicated. 'Innovation is a necessity for survival and progress in the local government space,' said Mosiea. Associate professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's school of built environment and development studies, Prof Sithembiso Myeni, said the programme offered a platform for municipalities to modernise their service delivery. 'Mira encourages municipalities to embrace innovation and digital solutions, creating a unique opportunity to drive meaningful and accountable change in service delivery. The real test is whether municipalities will fully embrace digital engagement and accountability or allow yet another promising opportunity for transformation to slip through their fingers.
TimesLIVE
05-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Municipalities urged to adopt tech-driven service delivery approaches
A national competition is calling for municipalities to ditch excuses and show what is possible through innovation. Entries have officially opened for the 2025 Municipal Innovation Recognition Awards (Mira) which recognise unconventional solutions and new ways of doing things that offer municipal customers a different experience in the advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution and beyond. The awards, to be held on June 30, are part of the Viability and Validation of Innovations for Service Delivery Programme, spearheaded by the department of science, technology and innovation in collaboration with the SA Local Government Association (Salga) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. 'Municipalities across the country, many of which are under administration, besieged by community protests or struggling to maintain basic services such as water, electricity and waste management, are encouraged to showcase projects that offer innovative solutions,' said Dr Tshepang Mosiea, chief director for innovation for inclusive development at the department of science, technology and innovation. He said while many municipalities may be in crisis, pockets of excellence must be recognised, supported and replicated. 'Innovation is a necessity for survival and progress in the local government space,' said Mosiea. Associate professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's school of built environment and development studies, Prof Sithembiso Myeni, said the programme offered a platform for municipalities to modernise their service delivery. 'Mira encourages municipalities to embrace innovation and digital solutions, creating a unique opportunity to drive meaningful and accountable change in service delivery. The real test is whether municipalities will fully embrace digital engagement and accountability or allow yet another promising opportunity for transformation to slip through their fingers.
