Page 3 - KZN Business Sense-Vol6 No5

SIYA DIGITIZA: SMARTXCHANGE SUPPORTS

TOWNSHIP AND RURAL SMMES TO GROW DIGITALLY

he idea of revolutionising Team are all SMMEs who are supported by a backup server to
township and rural incubatees who are being funded make sure that everything works
Tbusinesses, through the and supported by SmartXchange regardless of any unplanned The innovators and participants on the SiYa
digitization of their products to roll out this project that seeks challenges. DiGiTiza Project Team are all SMMEs who are
and services, was conceptualised to digitize 1000 companies in Tag Your Delivery is an online
by Jonathan Naidoo, CEO of the first phase. The companies goods and service delivery mobile incubatees who are being funded and supported by
SmartXchange. The call for that are directly involved in the and web based application system SmartXchange to roll out this project that seeks to
a national lockdown forced digitization are SMEPlus and that makes it possible for people digitize 1000 companies in the first phase.
businesses to halt trading, Tag Your Delivery. The project to order products of their choice
with a resultant loss of income, is further supported by media online from several selections of
which impacted negatively on companies Mzansi Smart Online products and professional services
their sustainability. Township TV, EITA Township Digital that are available on the business guaranteeing them visibility and SMMEs, business events and
businesses specifically were Radio Station, BlaqLife Radio mobile app and website. Tag Your leveraging their marketability in related activities.
unable to operate, while their and TV, Innovation DNA and Delivery stands to serve township the digital space.
counterparts in urban areas Gabisa TV, who will provide and rural businesses in a bid to BLaqLife is a leading local Gabisa TV is a multimedia
continued business with online online marketing exposure enhance their online presence. broadcaster catering for music communications services
sales supported by reliable for the digitized businesses. Their aim is also to empower fans through music, TV, company that specialises in
internet connectivity. The project is underpinned township and rural businesses, artist interviews, exclusive television & video production.
by an internet connectivity downloads and events coverage. The television channel will cover
As the impact on township bridging the technological divide the SiYa DiGiTiZa Project and
businesses became more obvious, solution from AdNotes who will between them, their customers It is a platform where creative profile SMMEs.
provide efficient, reliable and
inspiration meets technological
it was clear that the lack of cheap internet connectivity to and large enterprises. innovation, whilst strengthening The project is well placed to
participation in a digital economy township and rural areas using AdNotes is a telecom company the civic and cultural life of the bridge the gap between the
was the crippling factor which TV White Spaces. licensed by ICASA to operate and communities they serve. BlaqLife township/rural and urban divide
contributed to the inability provide internet services using will support the SiYa DiGiTiza and will play a pivotal role
to trade, deliver and market SMEPlus has developed TV White Spaces (TVWS) where campaign through the marketing in sustaining the historically
products and services. The an exciting Digital Business TVWS refers to the unused TV exposure it will provide to the marginalised township and rural
SiYa DiGiTiza Project was thus Directory (DBD) built to help channels in any given area. With participating small businesses. economies. There is a need to
conceptualised as an enabler that small businesses grow their AdNotes TVWS deployment, reach out to more townships and
would boost township businesses customers on an online platform. these vacant channels can be Innovation DNA specialises rural enterprises as there is a clear
and ensure their sustainability Their mission is to make sure converted into wireless broadband in visual content creation and demand for the technological
distribution. The company
and growth. SmartXchange township businesses are digitized internet. This innovative is supporting the SiYa offerings of the project. This
rallied a team of vibrant young and listed on the DBD. This is technology can connect DiGiTiza campaign through uniquely orchestrated game
innovators to co-create a solution achieved through consultation unconnected communities in their Innovation DNA changer offers township and
that would lead to and enhance with SMMEs in terms of the rural and township areas. capability which will focus rural SMMEs a better prospect
the visibility of small business checking their compliance and The provision of this level of on documenting innovative for economic growth and job
on an online platform, allowing assessing their business processes. connectivity will enable township businesses in rural and creation by using a bottom up
them to trade, grow and become Following on this consultation, and rural economies to operate township economies through approach to bring historically
financially stronger. they are then listed on the effectively on digital platforms. in-depth interviews. The aim of neglected areas into the main
directory and offered a business -stream economy. Project SiYa
The four-day Pilot Programme management app to help them Mzansi Smart TV is an Innovation DNA is to capture DiGiTiZa will allow millions of
was rolled out by the team from run their business smoothly. online TV channel that aims the journey of SMMEs, profiling township and rural based SMMEs
SmartXchange in Phoenix, Inanda, The directory maintains its to expose local content to the their successes stories and to use technology to grow their
Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (PINK) effectiveness through delisting world. With a current following providing insight on challenges businesses and transform them
and how to overcome them as
Precinct on 19 to 22 October all non-compliant and inactive of 3 000 viewers on their social they traverse this challenging by giving them access to greater
2020 and it was supported by the SMMEs, thus guaranteeing that media platforms they boast landscape. economic opportunities, learning,
eThekwini Municipality and the all the buyers get to procure viewership of over 6000 on information and services. 
Moses Kotane Institute. This Pilot from credible businesses. their TV channel. Their role in Eita Township Digital Radio is
Programme was hugely successful Customers are also allowed the SiYa DiGiTiza campaign is an online based township radio, T: +27 31 307 1988
as SMMEs streamed in to register to rate the quality of services/ to expose local businesses to currently situated in Durban E: abegail@smartxchange.co.za
their companies on the online products which will serve as a the broader market, by filming Central focusing on township W: www.smartxchange.co.za
digital platforms. good indicator to other potential and marketing their businesses life. Eita Radio is the Townships’
First Voice and it will support
The innovators and participants customers. All the data is on their online television the SiYa DiGiTiZa Project by
on the SiYa DiGiTiza Project stored in a highly secure server station and social media sites, providing coverage on township

Eita Radio will support the SiYa DiGiTiZa Project by providing SMME owners registered their companies on the online BlaqLife will support the campaign through the marketing
coverage on township SMMEs, business events and related activities. digital platforms. exposure it will provide.

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