Technological development in Braamfontein
Braamfontein is becoming an even more innovative space and City Buzz is giving you the lowdown on the Digital Innovation Zone (DIZ).
World-class cities around the globe have one or more Digital Technology Hubs, and with the help of Wits University, Braamfontein officially has the first one in Johannesburg.
On the corner of Smit and Eendracht streets, the DIZ has taken shape and is rapidly developing into a technology hub where talented young people can exploit the opportunities created by digital technology.
The hub is now a part of Tshimologong (meaning new beginnings) Precinct, which is a place that is taking shape as individual sites are restored and developed.
Professor Barry Dwolatzky, head of software engineering at the School of Electrical and Information Engineering at Wits, as well as the director of the faculty’s Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) is the driving force behind the hefty project.
“We are creating a hub space where people can get together, brainstorm, work on creative projects, and take part in workshops. Tshimologong Precinct will be a start-up incubator and source of skills,” he said.
At this stage, Tshimologong already has four exciting facilities dedicated to digital innovation and technology.While the university has already invested more than R30 million in the initiative, a similar amount is being sought to equip the hub and establish a range of focused skills development, internship and enterprise-development programmes.
The precinct will be further developed within five unused buildings in Braamfontein – one of them being IBM’s research lab that is being constructed on the corner of Juta and Station streets. The JCSE’s offices at 45 Juta Street also form part of the precinct.
The DIZ also boasts a newly-built events space called DIZ Top. The venue is to be used for conferences, talks and courses – a place that could become a buzzing social and idea creation space for young, fertile minds.
In addition to the possibilities which the hub will provide, it is also located on a central transport route and is situated between Wits and UJ.
Details: www.tshimologong.joburg
