Government will consider introducing computer coding in South Africa\u2019s education system.<\/p>\n
This is according to communications deputy minister Pinky Kekana, who was addressing the IBM South Africa annual Think Johannesburg conference at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on Wednesday (20 June).<\/p>\n
\u201cThe time has come for us to introduce basic coding in our education system,\u201d said the deputy minister.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must constantly assess how we future proof our children in a society that is constantly changing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The deputy minister\u2019s comments were also emphasised by IBM senior vice president for global industries, platforms and blockchain, Bridget van Kralingen.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody needs to be a coder,\u201d said Van Kralingen, adding that one of the company\u2019s eight research labs is in located in South Africa.<\/p>\n
The IBM Think Conference is regarded as a flagship conference for innovators in the technology sector and focuses on topics like Artificial Intelligence (AI) cloud technology, the digital economy and blockchains, among others.<\/p>\n
Preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution<\/strong><\/p>\n IBM South Africa\u2019s country general manager Hamilton Ratshefola echoed Kekana\u2019s sentiments, saying it\u2019s important to remain relevant for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. IBM continues to invest in the South African economy through its digital studios in Braamfontein, which Ratshefola said the company would expand.<\/p>\n Kekana said the growth of technology also requires the country to examine what humanity would look like in five to 15 years from now and how the country can prepare itself for that particular society.<\/p>\n That examination must also extend to the question of employment, with a recently published McKinsey report stating that 45% of all current tasks could be automated with present technology.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum estimates that 33% of jobs in 2020 do not even exist yet.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to ensure that this does not exacerbate the rampant inequality we are currently confronted with as a nation,\u201d said Kekana.<\/p>\n In the meantime, government will continue to encourage entrepreneurship and ensure that the education system provides appropriate skills for the digital economy.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are moving into an economy that’s heavy on technology and light on labour. Therefore, it is crucial that we consider smart interventions,\u201d Kekana said.<\/p>\n The deputy minister said the rise of technology should not make the country anxious.<\/p>\n \u201cThe evolution of jobs should not deter us from moving forward to an automated society.\u201d<\/p>\n In the same vein, the country must not leave others behind.<\/p>\n \u201cThis should be alleviated by putting measures in place to ensure that citizens are reskilled and we adopt new learning methods for the nation,\u201d said Kekana.<\/p>\n
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