EAST LONDON- The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation in collaboration with North West University and Nyandeni local municipality successfully hosted the Smart Village Conference on 19th to 20th February 2025 at the East London International Convention Centre(EL ICC).
Nyandeni local municipality Mayor Cllr Viwe Ndamase emphasized the importance of developing smart villages given the municipality’s unique composition of 282 villages and two village towns, Libode and Ngqeleni.
“Our main focus should be on smart villages,” he stated.
Furthermore, the mayor highlighted the municipality’s partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation as well as North West University’s research unit which is working closely with the municipality to realize the vision of smart villages. As a pilot project the municipality has identified Mthombe village in Ward 5 for development.
In addition, this initiative aligns with the municipality’s mission to drive sustainable socio-economic development through efficient and innovative delivery of services. By leveraging science, technology and innovation, Nyandeni local municipality aims to create a better future for its residents.
In addition Eastern Cape Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC Sibulele Ngongo said, “We support this important meeting to find new ways to improve lives in rural areas using smart technology and sustainable practices, we are at a special point where traditional knowledge and modern technology come together giving us great opportunities to help our communities. It’s also important to recognize the value of traditional knowledge in our efforts to combine technology and sustainable development.”
Additionally Acting Director at Department of Science, Technology and Innovation Shumi Phango said, “We’re hosting an international conference on smart villages that use local technologies, we’ve done research in different provinces and found that the Eastern Cape, especially Nyandeni local municipality is a great place to focus on. This is because Nyandeni has many natural resources and a high unemployment rate.”
The conference highlighted the importance of indigenous knowledge systems, genetic resources and local technologies in driving development in rural areas like Nyandeni.
By leveraging these strengths, the conference aimed to create jobs, improve lives and promote sustainable development in the region.
Photograph: Smart Village conference paving the way for rural development and innovation
Photograph: supplied
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