Bangani Mpangalasane is only a month in as CEO of The Innovation Hub (TIH) and he is ready to leverage both the local and global innovation eco-systems.
The Innovation Hub is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, which offers several incubation programmes in the bioeconomy, smart industries and the green economy.
It also operates a range of enterprise, skills development and innovation-enabling programmes both in the science park and throughout the Gauteng region.
Mpangalasane, who joined the hub in April, said in the short time he had been at the helm he had hosted the Brics+ Youth Innovation Summit alongside the South African Brics Youth Association, National Youth Development, and the China-based Zhongguancan, also known as Z Park.
They created an international platform dedicated to uplifting and amplifying youth voices.
“Looking further ahead, our long-term goals are centred on positioning the STP (science, technology and research park) as a leading centre for innovation and economic development in the region.
“We aim to drive sustainable industrialisation in key sectors such as the digital economy, bio-economy and the green economy through our continuous innovation efforts,” he added.
While he has plans in place, he is mindful of some challenges that lie ahead. These include ensuring financial sustainability and funding as they struggle to secure adequate funds to support their innovation programmes and the operation of the hub, sub-Saharan Africa’s first science and technology park. They also need to attract anchor tenants to occupy space at the facility.
“However, to mitigate these challenges, we have implemented measures such as diversifying funding sources beyond a focus on government, forming partnerships with private sector and industry stakeholders by showcasing our technology innovation edge, and generating revenue through services offered within,” said the Vaal University of Technology graduate.
Mpangalasane studied Information and Communication Technology originally at Vaal University of Technology and was then transferred to finalise his project at the Baden Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University Loerrach in Germany as an exchange student.
He furthered his studies to obtain a management post-graduate diploma from Regenesys Business School and later North West University Business School MBA.
He plans to do a PhD focusing on developing a diagnostic readiness framework for the fourth industrial revolution.
“Over the years, I have been exposed to global and local entrepreneurial innovation in the SADC region, Germany, Switzerland, India, the USA, China and more,” said Mpangalasane.
He has served on the ministerial executive committee, senior executive committee, government CIO council, and ITC steering committee amongst others.
