South African Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile has praised the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa for its role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship during a visit to Dublin.
Speaking at the event on Friday, Mr Mashatile highlighted the importance of the competition in unearthing high-impact South African start-ups aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“This Tech Challenge is an extremely significant partnership between the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, the Department of Science and Innovation, and the Technology Innovation Agency,” he said.
The deputy president emphasised South Africa’s commitment to supporting its technology and start-up sectors, citing the government’s ICT Small, Medium, and Micro-Enterprises (SMME) Development Strategy.
“We firmly believe that prioritising SMMEs and cooperatives may mitigate the unemployment crisis in our nation by stimulating development, generating employment, and fostering a more inclusive economy,” Mr Mashatile added.
He also mentioned the Presidential PhD Initiative, which allocates 1 billion rand (£42m) from the National Skills Fund to advance science and technology, particularly in biotechnology and artificial intelligence research.
The Irish Tech Challenge South Africa is a start-up competition aimed at identifying innovative South African tech companies. It forms part of a broader collaboration between Ireland and South Africa in the technology sector.
Andrew Whitfield, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, was also present at the event, along with representatives from the Irish government and tech industry.
Patrich Walsh, CEO and founder of Dogpatch Labs, a key partner in the initiative, expressed enthusiasm for the programme’s potential to drive innovation and create opportunities for South African entrepreneurs.
The event showcased seven South African start-ups, with Mr Mashatile congratulating the finalists and encouraging them to continue innovating.
“As you prepare to present your ideas, concepts, and designs, I wish you the best of luck. All of you are winners, and I am convinced that you will achieve great success in your respective fields,” he said.
The deputy president concluded by calling for continued investment in young people and the use of collective knowledge, skills, and resources to build a more inclusive tech ecosystem.
