In South Africa, the path from high school to higher education is filled with financial hurdles. According to Statistics South Africa, approximately 51% of youth aged 18-24 cite financial constraints as the primary reason for not attending university (Stats SA, 2021). For many, the dream of obtaining a degree remains just that -a dream.
Siyabonga Mbexeshi is a testament to perseverance and determination. After completing matric in 1997, he and his three siblings were unable to pursue tertiary education due to financial constraints. Instead, Siyabonga entered the workforce, but two decades later, he seized the opportunity to enrol in a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management at The DaVinci Institute while working full-time at a leading South African retail bank.
“What kept me going was the desire to be the first in my family to earn a degree,” Siyabonga shares. “I wanted to inspire my family and show them that ‘it is possible’ even after 40 years.”
Balancing Work, Studies, and Family Life
Balancing work, academics, and family life has been challenging. His evenings are spent attending virtual classes, often sacrificing family time. However, his commitment to setting a positive example for his children and honouring his mother’s unwavering support keeps him motivated.
The Transformative Power of Education
Siyabonga’s academic journey has profoundly shaped his personal and professional life. “I am no longer the naive person I used to be. My critical thinking and problem-solving skills have significantly improved,” he reflects. At work, these enhanced abilities have strengthened team dynamics and decision-making processes.
Beyond the corporate world, his education has empowered him to make a difference in his community. His proactive engagement in local meetings led to his election as treasurer of the leadership team, where he applies strategic thinking to address societal challenges.
How The DaVinci Institute Makes a Difference
The DaVinci Institute played a crucial role in Siyabonga’s success. Unlike traditional universities, The DaVinci Institute embraces a Mode 2 learning approach, emphasizing real-world problem-solving, collaboration, and work-based learning. Through its unique TIPS™ Framework—Technology, Innovation, People, and Systems – the institution equips students with the skills to navigate complex challenges in both professional and societal settings.
Siyabonga’s story is one of resilience, proving that with determination and the right support, higher education is attainable at any stage of life. His journey serves as an inspiration to those facing similar challenges, demonstrating that breaking barriers is possible with the right mindset and resources.
What if South Africa became the next global innovation hub? What if, instead of importing ideas, we exported groundbreaking solutions to the world? TheSmarter Edge: A Tale of National Innovation Systems – Innovation in South Africa (2005-2020), a book authored by tt100 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The DaVinci Institute, Professor Benjamin Anderson, and edited by Cara Bouwer, explores this bold vision. This thought-provoking book argues that not only is this future possible, but it is also essential. By examining South Africa’s innovation landscape, its successes, challenges, and untapped potential; it makes a compelling case for a future where African ideas take centre stage on the global stage.
The Smarter Edge is the fourth edition of the original book first developed in 2000. It was created to showcase groundbreaking innovations in South Africa from that period and beyond. Funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSI), this book is a must-read for any business executive, academic, entrepreneur, student, or just anyone with a passion for innovation and progress.
Challenges in embracing Innovation
According to a report by The Growth Lab at Harvard University, the causes of slow growth and persistent exclusion within South Africa are multifaceted and complex. It starts by laying out the unavoidable conclusion that the economy is not delivering the shared prosperity that South Africans desire and deserve.
Compounding this is the digital divide between urban and rural areas, as many rural communities lack access to reliable internet, hindering their participation in the digital economy. Bridging this gap is essential for an inclusive digital transformation. Collectively, these challenges require South African businesses to navigate complex dynamics to successfully foster innovation.
“I believe the biggest challenge society still faces globally is that innovation is largely left to its own devices. It relies on the energy and determination of individuals or groups to develop something new, often for different purposes, including financial gain,” Prof Anderson observed.
A Call for a Bold New Approach to Innovation
In The Smarter Edge, Professor Anderson presents a compelling argument for fostering an innovation-driven society. He challenges us to rethink the way we support and celebrate innovators, moving away from outdated economic models that prioritise financial gains over groundbreaking ideas.
He writes, “There has never been a more important time to have an open and honest discussion about building a society that supports progressive ideas and innovation in all its forms. Rather than tearing down the dreamers, we need to build them up.”
He continues, “Rather than pushing for financial glory, let’s celebrate ideas. Rather than looking to the big, established economies, let’s look to Africa! With the advancement of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights in late 2023, we are seeing concrete steps being taken to support intra-African trade and promote innovation on our continent. This is an important and positive step, opening the door to a potential market of 1.3 billion people across 54 countries.”
Professor Anderson further emphasises, “The AfCFTA journey, which began back in 2012 and has been advancing over much of the timeline covered in this book, could mark a turning point in South Africa’s innovation story. South Africa has much to share with our AfCFTA partners, based on our legacy of innovation and the lessons we’ve learned along the way about both pitfalls and potentialities.”
This statement underscores a core theme of the book: the importance of cultivating an ecosystem where innovators are empowered to thrive, supported by policies that enable them to transform ideas into tangible solutions.
What to Expect from The Smarter Edge
At 133 pages, The Smarter Edge is filled with insightful discussions on South Africa’s innovation landscape, offering readers a comprehensive exploration of the policies, frameworks, and case studies that have shaped the country’s technological advancements between 2005 and 2020.
This book tells the story of South Africa’s quest to innovate, highlighting the breakthrough technological applications that have shaped our country during this period and the challenges we now face in developing a strong, sustainable approach to continuous innovative excellence. Following three previous books in the Edge series and sponsored by the Department of Science and Innovation, The Smarter Edge reflects the current international debate on idea-makers and the institutions that support them, as well as the commercialisation of intellectual property. In positioning South Africa’s innovation efforts on the global stage, the book looks beyond our borders, examining what countries like South Korea, Malaysia, and Canada are doing to support their innovators. The authors draw parallels, identify gaps, and attempt to distinguish the approaches that succeed from those that falter. They ask tough questions of the entire innovation ecosystem in South Africa—from entrepreneurs and funders to universities, accelerators, the private sector, and, of course, government.
Some of the key topics covered in the book include:
National Innovation Systems – A deep dive into the structures and policies that facilitate (or hinder) innovation in South Africa.
ISO Global Standards – Understanding how international standards impact local technological advancements and industry regulations.
The TIPS Managerial Framework – An introduction to TIPS and its significance in guiding effective innovation management.
Spotlights on Innovation Successes – Examples and interviews with innovators who have made a lasting impact in South Africa and beyond.
Beyond these core topics, the book provides a nuanced analysis of the challenges that continue to hinder innovation in South Africa, from funding gaps to bureaucratic red tape and a lack of collaboration among key stakeholders.
South Africa’s Place in the Global Innovation Arena
One of the standout elements of The Smarter Edge is its global perspective. While the book primarily focuses on South Africa, it draws valuable insights from countries like South Korea, Malaysia, and Canada; nations that have successfully built strong innovation ecosystems. By examining these international models, Professor Anderson and his team identify strategies that South Africa can adopt and adapt to its unique context.
The book also raises critical questions: Are we doing enough to commercialise intellectual property? How can we better integrate innovation into our educational institutions? What role should the government and the private sector play in fostering a thriving innovation culture? The answers to these questions could shape the future of South Africa’s economy and its position in the global market.
Looking to the Future
The Smarter Edge is not just an academic analysis—it is a call to action. The book highlights the interconnected roles of entrepreneurs, universities, accelerators, investors, and policymakers in shaping a successful innovation ecosystem. It underscores the importance of collaboration and trust among all players in the innovation value chain.
The overarching message is clear: innovation does not happen in isolation. It requires a collective effort, strategic vision, and a commitment to nurturing homegrown talent. With initiatives like AfCFTA providing new opportunities for African innovators, the time to act is now.
A Monthly Deep Dive into The Smarter Edge
To ensure these crucial discussions continue, we will be featuring a chapter from The Smarter Edge every month. This will allow readers to engage more deeply with the book’s key themes, explore case studies, and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on innovation in South Africa and beyond.
Stay tuned for next month’s instalment, where we will explore the concept of national innovation systems and how they influence economic growth. In the meantime, we encourage you to get your hands on The Smarter Edge and join us in shaping a future where innovation is at the heart of progress.
The DaVinci Institute joined a development initiative to establish global standards for innovation management systems. This was part of a broader effort to embed innovation within a structured framework, ensuring it is not merely a reactive process or isolated activity but an integral part of a well-integrated system. The goal is to foster smarter, more sustainable innovation practices.
For many students, publishing a groundbreaking study is a dream that often feels out of reach. But for DaVinci doctoral student Vuledzani Dangale, a financial services professional and thought leader, it became a reality through dedication, resilience, and a passion for research. She recently published a groundbreaking paper titledConceptual Framework on the Use of Big Data to Manage Risks in the South African Insurance Sector: The Case for Further Study. This literature-based study explores how organisations integrate big data into their strategic decisions, identifying critical gaps and proposing a framework to guide future research.
Her paper was presented at the2024 International Multidisciplinary Information Technology and Engineering Conference (IMITEC), a milestone achievement that underscores the relevance of her work. “The inspiration for this study comes from the increasing recognition that while big data has the potential to enhance strategic decision-making, many organisations struggle with its effective implementation,” she explains. By delving into existing literature, she highlights key challenges such as data governance, ethical considerations, and organisational culture—areas that require further empirical research.
The Road to Publication: A Journey of Persistence
From conceptualisation to publication, the research journey took approximately 18 months. This period involved an extensive literature review to map existing theories and frameworks, laying the groundwork for the next phase of her study. But like any ambitious endeavour, the process was not without its challenges.
“One of the major challenges was synthesising a vast body of literature to identify critical themes and research gaps while ensuring the conceptual framework was both academically rigorous and practically relevant,” Vuledzani reflects. Beyond the academic hurdles, she also had to balance multiple responsibilities, including work, family life, and her literary pursuits.
Yet, the journey was equally rewarding. A key insight from her research was discovering the wide variation in organisational data maturity—some companies have well-developed data ecosystems, while others struggle with basic data governance structures. This realisation reinforced the need for further qualitative research to better understand how different organisations navigate these challenges.
Making an Impact: Research with Real-World Relevance
Vuledzani’s study serves as a stepping stone for future research, providing a structured framework to identify knowledge gaps in big data-driven decision-making. Her next step? Conducting qualitative data collection to validate and refine her framework, ensuring it holds practical value for industry leaders.
“I am particularly interested in engaging with industry leaders in risk management, governance, compliance, and decision-making to gather insights on how big data is currently utilised in strategic decision-making,” she shares. Through her work, she aims to bridge the gap between academic research and industry practice, offering organisations valuable insights on leveraging big data for strategic advantage.
More Than an Academic: A Passion for Knowledge and Advocacy
Beyond her academic contributions, Vuledzani is a multifaceted professional with a passion for education, governance research, financial services innovation, and mental health advocacy. With over 20 years of experience in financial services, she has dedicated her career to simplifying complex problems and driving impactful solutions.
She is also a published author of three books, including Mashudu’s Magical Super Powers, a children’s book available in nine languages. Her work extends to mental health advocacy, particularly in children and corporate environments. “Through my books and initiatives, I aim to raise awareness about mental health, especially among children, parents, and professionals navigating high-pressure environments,” she says.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Vuledzani’s journey is a testament to the power of persistence, passion, and intellectual curiosity. For students who dream of publishing their own research, she serves as an inspiration. Her ability to juggle academic pursuits, a demanding career, and advocacy work proves that with discipline and determination, it is possible to make a meaningful impact in multiple spheres.
As she continues her research and professional journey, one thing is clear—Vuledzani Dangale is not just breaking barriers; she is paving the way for others to follow. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Management in Technology and Innovation at The DaVinci Institute.
