The Think Tank started with two panel discussions with speakers from a variety of innovative companies and institutions such as SweepSouth, iKineo, Airbnb, The LondonApp Brewery and the Graduate School of Business.
These fruitful discussions explored the co-existence of the old and new economy and how to create an enabling environment; ways in which established businesses can adapt to disruption; and what the sharing economy’s impact on jobs and the future of work looks like.
The discussions also explored how government and municipalities can use technology to boost social inclusion, drive growth and create jobs.
Minister for Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde said “I am excited that this discussion is happening in Cape Town. Many governments and political leaders around the world are grappling with the regulatory environment as the 4th industrial revolution, and specifically, the new economy disrupts the old. I trust this platform starts a journey that positions the Southern tip of Africa as the lead ecosystem for the new economy that is an enabling and leading on this continent, and the world.”
Wesgro’s CEO, Tim Harris said “As Africa’s leading technology hub, Cape Town is home to numerous tech start-ups in the sharing economy space, as well as established players like Airbnb. In fact, with 17600 listings in the city, almost one in five Airbnb listings in Africa as a whole are in Cape Town. This growth in accommodation options has occurred alongside significant new investment in hotels in the city by major groups like Tsogo Sun, Marriott and Radisson. The makes Cape Town the ideal place to lead thinking on how to regulate and utilise growth in the sharing economy.”
Wesgro’s Chief Marketing Officer, Judy Lain said “the roadmap developed by the delegates at this think tank is the starting point that will help us brand this region as one that is enabling to the new economy and innovation. There is so much potential in this space for Cape Town and the Western Cape to become an enabling environment for the tech environment on the African continent.”