Page 51 - KZN Leaders Portfolio E-BOOK 2107

Naidoo added that the lack of new ideas is a serious
Chief Executive Officer at the SmartXchange
J ONATHAN NAIDOO is an economist by profession challenge because he has plenty of money to put behind
great ideas. He said, “I get disappointed when I put out a
and previously COO of Trade and Investment KZN.
call every quarter and I get on average on 30 applicants.
We have no quota system but are only able to shortlist
Jonathan Naidoo is passionate about the work
that the SmartXchange is doing to promote the 30 percent of the applicants and on average only 10
development of entrepreneurs in the MICTe sector. He percent of the original applicants are successful. He said
says that he is extremely focused on what he wishes the further, “Government has incentives in place for startups
organisation to achieve and has always maintained a to grow and for SMMEs to be incubated and we need to
encourage participation. We can’t complain that there is
visionary outlook. This approach is very necessary in order a lack of resources.”
to remain relevant in the innovation space. Naidoo said,
“The ongoing exposure to the vibey and fantastic ideas of As a consequence SmartXchange has introduced
these young entrepreneurs is very exciting and provides design thinking classes as a forerunner of the creation of
momentum to the management of the day to day business.” a system that will encourage innovative thinking. While
SmartXchange’s mandate is to assist and grow ICT
While he enjoys operating a not for profit organisation,
he says that sustainability is always top of mind. Careful companies, this should not be perceived as an end itself
but as a platform on which entrepreneurs are able to build
attention need to be paid to the budget. We don’t take innovative products. Said Naidoo, “Our job is to help
equity forward into new projects and always have to entrepreneurs build confidence, to start up their business
put our best foot forward. The introduction of Kings IV and watch them grow.”
has been invaluable as it has helped to develop realistic
strategies to counter potential hurdles that could come at Naidoo’s personal vision would be to see SMMEs
the expense of sustainability. Said Naidoo, “You make sure moving from a focus on business support and resellers to
that you have plans of actions in place to address issues innovators of great products, which result in high growth
that could arise − to guarantee your board that you will companies. While resellers and service providers are
be sustainable.” He added, “We are also excited that this necessary components of the economy they often have
model for best practice comes from South Africa.” low profit margins. SMMEs also need to ensure that they
have a broad client base in order to avoid being a high
Naidoo says that SmartXchange’s success has been made risk company in the event of the loss of key clients. This is
possible through three key elements. Firstly, he has the especially apparent when companies are over dependent
backing of motivated staff and a highly supportive board on government contracts, which are at times not renewed
and patrons. Secondly, SmartXchange has developed at the end of the service delivery agreement.
powerful strategic partnerships with government and the
private sector. Thirdly, the commitment and dedication of In the future Naidoo would like to see the SmartXchange
the SMMEs is essential. “If they don’t give us good results model been duplicated. He said, “It is a mature
then we don’t look good, commented Naidoo.” organisation, which is easy to duplicate, has learnt good
lessons and has the potential to be adopted as a national
However, Naidoo says that he currently has two model.” SmartXchange has been visited by international
serious challenges. visitors, including a delegation from Abu Dhabi as well as
The one area that I need to have greater impact on the Belfast Council; both of which were impressed by the
is women in ICT. I currently have only a 28 percent best practice being implemented.
representation of women on ICT programmes and it is not Another of Naidoo’s passions is for innovation to
good enough. The reasons for this low figure are difficult to contribute to the development of ‘Smart African Cities’.
discern. When you look at the university classes they are on He said that South Africa has the potential to be a leader
average 60 percent women students. Part of SmartXchange’s and to have a global foot print. However, innovations
strategy is to have road shows for university students and we in technology are only one aspect of the solution. “We
make a passionate appeal to them that their degree should also require people to develop smart attitudes. We
not only be completed for the labour market. Their degree need smart minded people who are able to deliver the
should offer them opportunities to be an entrepreneur. That ‘wow’ factor. We need those people who are able to
is my message to all students but most strongly to the female give me bad news with a smile and who are able to go
students because we need them in ICT. They are great the extra mile and make me feel good even if there are
thinkers and we need to understand what the impediments challenges,” said Naidoo.
are to them becoming entrepreneurs.
In conclusion, said Naidoo, “SMMEs are a formula for
My second challenge is to encourage people to come up success, but they require hard work, a little bit of luck and
with great ideas. We need to find solutions jointly. What faith in God, then the reward will come.” When not at
traditionally was a crazy idea could be a great solution. work Naidoo enjoys the outdoors, including trail hiking,
Many of our current solutions are going to disruptive to gardening, golfing and fishing. He says, “Gardening
the way that we live our lives in the future. An example is therapy as with the entrepreneurs, you plant seeds,
is driverless cars of the future – how will this affect the nurture and watch them grow and then enjoy the fruits of
insurance industry? your labour.”

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