Ms Lindelweyiziwe Manqele, a lecturer from the Department of Information Technology at the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, was recently invited by the Office of the Premier to participate in the Provincial ICT Roundtable Discussion. The event took place on 3 September 2025 at the ABSA Stadium in Durban.

The ICT Roundtable brought together government officials, academics from public universities and TVET colleges, private sector leaders, and digital transformation experts under the theme “Collaborating for a Digitally Skilled and Innovative KwaZulu-Natal.” To name a few, the roundtable featured representatives, Mr Mpilo Sibiya, KZN Chief Director: ICT. Dr Bethel Mutanga, Senior lecturer IT, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Mr Mdumiseni Buthelezi, Director: ICT, Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), provincial government departments, as well as industry leaders in ICT and innovation. The platform provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the province’s digital development goals, identify challenges, and co-create solutions to advance ICT adoption and skills development.

Ms. Manqele’s presence highlighted DUT’s contribution to the broader ICT ecosystem. As a lecturer in the Department of Information Technology, she is passionate about preparing students for the future of work in an era shaped by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Her engagement at the roundtable emphasized the role of higher education institutions in bridging the digital skills gap, fostering innovation, and ensuring that communities are not left behind in the fast-evolving digital landscape.

Speaking on her participation, Ms Manqele noted the importance of partnerships between academia, government, and industry in ensuring inclusive digital growth. “The ICT Roundtable was not only about dialogue but about practical steps we can take to position KwaZulu-Natal as a hub of digital skills and innovation. Universities like DUT are central to this mission, as we are equipping the next generation with the tools to thrive in a digital economy,” she said.

The Office of the Premier emphasized that the roundtable is part of an ongoing provincial strategy to accelerate ICT integration in education, business, and service delivery, ensuring that KZN remains competitive in the global knowledge economy.

Pictured: Ms Lindelweyiziwe Manqele

Siphokazi Dlamini