Introduction to Season 3

In this special season of our podcast we talk about "Digital Transformation". In this episode Barry Dwolatzky is in conversation with Tony Van Der Linden.

In this special season of our podcast we talk about "Digital Transformation". In this episode Barry Dwolatzky is in conversation with Kent Beck.

In this special season of our podcast we talk about "Digital Transformation". In this episode Barry Dwolatzky is in conversation with Mark Harris.

Optimizing - Leading Africa's Digital Future is an inter-generational conversation about the digital economy and digital society in Africa. Season 3 will feature conversations led by Prof Barry Dwolatzky and his young co-host with people who have made a huge contribution to the digital world. This episode introduces Season 3. TheGrandGeeks.Africa

Season 2 of the Optimizing podcast has come to an end. Prof Barry Dwolatzky and his co-host Kerryn Gammie have presented 12 episodes in which they have conversations with leaders, role models and influencers in the Digital Economy in South Africa, Africa and the World. The metaphor in this season is "life as a relay race" and each guest was asked to pass "batons" to Kerryn and her generation of future leaders. In the epilogue Prof Barry and Kerryn reflect on these conversations and review the batons that were passed on.

Tiyani Nghonyama finished high school in 2010. Nine years later he was named by the IITPSA as its “South African IT Personality of the Year” for 2019. He is, so far, the youngest guest we’ve had in Season 2 of the Optimizing podcast and yet, in terms of his impact on future digital leaders, he is quite possibly one of the most influential.

Sifiso Skenjana is one of South Africa’s top new economists. He is the Chief Economist and Thought Leadership Executive at IQ Business, the leading independent management consulting firm in South Africa. Prior to joining IQ Business, he founded and managed an economic research and strategy advisory company. He has previously held roles in asset management, strategy and management consulting.

Nomso Faith Kana is a nuclear scientist and founder of two startups. These are “Sun n Shield 84 Technologies” which manufactures fibre optic cable, and “Blaze Away SA”, a business strategy consulting firm. She was also invited to participate as a commissioner on President Ramaphas’s Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (or 4IR). She has worked hard to encourage young Africans – particularly women -to become involved in STEM.

Clifford De Wit graduated from Wits University as an Electrical Engineer in 1996. He joined Microsoft in 2000 and from 2009 took on a senior executive role. In this role, amongst other things, he developed and launched the SA BizSpark start-up program, which mentored over 3000 tech start-up’s, managed the Microsoft relationship with South African universities, managed the DevOps business in South Africa, and ran and keynoted several conferences including TechEd, DevDays and Build Tour. After almost 18 years with Microsoft Cliff decided to build a start-up of his own and in his current role, he is the CTO and co-founder of a new digital business.

Xoliswa Mahlangu (“Xoli”) works as a Computing Curriculum Developer and Technology Integration Specialist at Future Nation Schools. Her personal mission is to demystify tech and make it more fun and accessible to kids of all ages. She is a Microsoft Certified Innovative Educator Expert and has represented South Africa in the international educator exchange. She was featured as Tech Magazine’s Mover and Shaker and has spoken at numerous youth and women in tech events. Xoli has an MEng in software engineering from Wits University.