The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Thamsanqa Ntuli called on delegates attending the 2025 GovTech Conference to embrace the transformative potential of digital technologies and ensure that such advancements serve as instruments of inclusion, innovation, and prosperity for all South Africans.
Delivering his opening address Ntuli affirmed thatKwaZulu-Natal’s commitment to the digital economy as a fundamental pillar of sustainable development. “Across the globe, governments are increasingly harnessing the power of data and digital technologies to address contemporary challenges, improve public service delivery, and enhance decision-making. KwaZulu-Natal proudly positions itself within this global digital movement.”
Ntuli emphasised that KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa should have digital sovereignty, which was the ability of society to secure control over data, platforms, and digital future. He says that digital sovereignty is more than a technical aspiration; it is a strategic imperative if we are to build an inclusive, resilient, and competitive economy.
The Premier accentuated that the digital economy wasan enabler of progress, and a transformative force that would shape the future of governance, economic growth, and social inclusion. He further highlighted that the success of KwaZulu-Natal in this sector is inseparable from the success of South Africa as a whole.
Ntuli said: “GovTech 2025 is not just a conference, it is a convergence point for leaders in government, the private sector, academia, and civil society to forge partnerships, share ideas, and co-create innovations that will define our collective digital future,” Premier Ntuli stated. “It is a platform that speaks to the urgency of ensuring that the digital revolution benefits every citizen, especially those previously excluded from mainstream economic activity.”
The Premier warned against treating digital transformation as an optional or secondary objective. “The political and developmental era in which we live demands that the digital economy be understood not as a luxury, but as a necessary solution to the pressing challenges of our time. Digital innovation is no longer a convenience, it is a cornerstone of inclusive human development,”
Ntuli pointed that global lessons, noting that natural resources alone were insufficient for sustained development. “History shows that countries relying solely on mineral wealth often fall victim to economic volatility and underdevelopment. On the other hand, nations that have invested in human capital, technological innovation, and digital infrastructure such as Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia have achieved remarkable growth and resilience.”
Citing the Asian Development Bank’s 2014 report, Innovative Asia: Advancing the Knowledge-Based Economy, the Premier reminded delegates that productivity-led growth driven by innovation is the key to avoiding the so-called middle-income trap.
“We must build learning pathways from emerging global technology trends, strengthen our global competitiveness, and climb higher in the global value chain,” Premier Ntuli said.
He reiterated that true prosperity in the 21st century would be driven not by what lies beneath the ground, however, by what lies within the minds, skills, and creativity of people. Ntuli urged all stakeholders to prioritise education, digital skills development, and innovation ecosystems that were responsive to global trends and local needs.
“For KwaZulu-Natal, this presents both an opportunity and a responsibility. Our digital future must be inclusive. It must bridge divides, not deepen them. ICTs, when deployed thoughtfully and strategically, can democratise access to information, expand learning opportunities, and enable broad-based participation in emerging markets.”
Ntuli reiterated his administration’s commitment to driving a digital transformation agenda that left no one behind by investing in ICTs, fostering homegrown innovation, and ensuring that the benefits of the digital economy were shared widely and equitably, build a society that was more inclusive, more resilient, and more prosperous for generations to come.
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For further information, please contact:
Mr. Bongani Gina
Head of Provincial Government Communications
Contact: 071 217 3037
Mr. Lindelani Mbatha
Media Liaison Officer
Contact: 061 499 0774
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