There is hardly a discussion about shifting and growing the economy without mention of innovation. It is a buzz word and we instinctively identify with the rationale – today’s pressing demands for change and new solutions make innovation an obvious imperative. In the Cape Town metropol, in particular, we have the look and feel of being a creative and innovative society, with the promise of some exciting initiatives to elevate the role of innovation in the Western Cape:
- The Fringe, on the eastern boundary of Cape town’s city centre, is being developed as a design precinct;
- World Design Capital (WDC) will put the spotlight on Cape Town’s innovative energy and design capabilities throughout 2014;
- Workshop 17, a collaboration between the Graduate School of Business and the V&A Waterfront, will be a hive of social innovation in one of South Africa’s most popular tourist attractions;
- Stellenbosch Innovation District is an initiative to embed innovation in the Stellenbosch brand; and
- The Western Cape Government is finalising a design strategy for the province.
Despite the many efforts to enhance innovation, the 110% Green team found that we knew very little about what is actually happening on the ground. Information is disparate and limited. Without real, hard knowledge, how can we make innovation a key enabler of the green economy in the Western Cape? Against that background, we held Smart Innovation on Tour. It was the first effort ever to document green innovation in the province and to bring it to the attention of business and government leaders. We discovered some extra-ordinary innovations covering a broad range of sectors and technologies, showing impressive capability but insufficient scale of innovation. Guests on the tour were amazed and inspired by the showcase.
That was our first step in our green innovation journey as 110% Green. We need to use this experience as a catalyst to promote investment in and of innovation. And so our next step will be the Better Living Challenge with WDC 2014, the details of which are being finalising. We welcome further ideas.