GEORGE NEWS - The Thembalethu iHUB, an ICT (Information Communication Technology) business and innovator incubator programme, was formally handed over by George Mayor Leon van Wyk during a ribbon cutting service today, Thursday 14 October.
The municipality provides the premises, services and an annual cash contribution towards the project. The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) funded the repurposing of the building to the needs of the iHUB.
Van Wyk said collaborations such as these are very important for the municipality's ongoing efforts to lure international companies to establish their call centres here.
"The ongoing installation of optic fibre in our city and region is a good sign for all levels of business, and the establishment of an ICT iHUB that develops advanced IT skills and businesses is an ideal way to introduce young people to this new world."
Business incubator
Seda Western Cape manager Alex Qunta said the municipality had contacted him with an idea for a business incubator in Thembalethu.
"Seda and the municipality have worked well together through the years and I knew Nelson Mandela Bay iHUB was looking to expand - it seemed like a perfect fit. We look forward to more projects in George, which I consider to be the new capital of the Western Cape," said Qunta.
iHUB CEO Darryl Dennis said Covid-19 has placed emphasis on the need for remote working and has made us much more reliant on technology.
"Among the iHUB projects for Thembalethu is the Global Virtual Apprenticeship, in which we identify and mentor students to the level of advanced IT skills so that they could work on database-based IT platforms such as Booking.Com and LinkedIn - both of which can be done from home and pay in American dollars."
Easy access
Situated at municipal premises next to the Thusong Centre in Jericho Street, Thembalethu iHUB's location next to the N2 ensures easy access to local communities and the rest of George.
Thembalethu iHUB centre manager Sivuyo Ngcwangu said the hub brings programmes to Thembalethu and surrounding areas that will enhance economic activity and help solve societal challenges through the application of ICT solutions.
"The iHUB as business incubator renders support to young grassroots-innovators with the needed infrastructure, industry collaborations, enterprise supplier development linkages, access to funding linkages, mentoring and coaching, and potential partners or investors. The iHUB helps enterprises take on the challenge of township transformation in specific industries and business sectors and creates innovative solutions to those challenges," said Ngcwangu.
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