THE Joburg Centre for Software Engineering aims to make the city the information technology capital of Africa and a world-class software developer.

Wits Vice-Chancellor Professor Loyiso Nongxa and Mayor Amos Masondo signing the document that sealed the JCSE

WITS University and the City of Johannesburg on Thursday, 19 May launched the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE), aimed at developing the growth of the local information, communications and technology (ICT) sector.

Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor Amos Masondo said the centre should be seen as part of the City's plan to turn Johannesburg into a world-class African city, part of the its 2030 strategy.

"The launch of the Johannesburg Centre for Software Engineering is part of our broad strategy to grow the city's economy," said Masondo.

members; and heads of ICT corporates involved in the project lso attended the launch and signing ceremony.

"The centre will enable us to find new ways of supporting growth and strength of ICT skills. Congratulations to everybody involved in this," Nongxa said.

The centre will be based at Wits' Lawson's Building on the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Jorissen Street. It was hoped it would serve as the "nucleus for software development in South Africa and on the continent", said Professor Barry Dwolatzky, a director at the centre.

"Together with the City of Joburg, industry, local and national government, IT users and academia, the JCSE will promote best practice in software development by blending international best practice, tools and methodologies with real world professional experience and grow South Africa's capacity to deliver world-class software through research and training initiatives to strengthen the local software development industry," he said.

Concern was expressed that South Africa, up against competitors like India and Russia, would be left behind when securing major software development contracts.

The centre, established within the School of Electrical and Information Engineering, will offer high-level public lectures, master classes, continuing professional development courses and technology incubation to develop the ICT leadership for South Africa.

It will also offer consulting and software certification and accreditation services and carry out applied research in collaboration with companies and organisations, aimed at finding solutions to software-related business problems.

"Facilities will also be established, including world-class infrastructure, specialised computer laboratories, a software engineering library and lecture and meeting rooms," Dwolatzky said.

The City sees the centre as one of its flagship projects, and Johannesburg as a hub for Africa's ICT sector.

David van Niekerk, the programme manager of the City's 2030 economic sector support programme, said that through the JCSE, the City looked forward to developing and promoting the use of international best practice in software engineering. It would create greater opportunities for all operators in software engineering, but specifically for black economic empowerment and small medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).

It would also "leverage the development of better affordable software for individuals, enterprise and the government to increase our international competitiveness".

According to Dwolatzky, the strength of the JCSE would lie in its partnerships with business, in the form of gold and silver sponsors. Gold sponsors involved in the project include IBM, Microsoft, First National Bank, Unisys and the Merake Institute. Barone Budge and Dominick, Oracle, Arivia.kom, New Dawn Technology, Tat Consulting Services and BMI-Technology are among the silver sponsors.

So far R900 000 has been raised for funding, with other funders supplying their contributions in kind (mostly time), and the City contributing R500&nbp;000. Further funding would be raised over the next two to three years, with the emphasis on "not planning to quickly create a massive empire".

The City runs four other ICT projects:

• wireless precincts, focusing on wireless and broadband connectivity;
• an ICT community hub in Orange Farm, with an emphasis on skills transfer;
• the development of SMME ICT companies; and
• the Distance Support Project, focusing on creating new markets for local ICT companies in development and services for remote areas.

It is hoped that the centre will increase the city's competitiveness in the ICT sector. Also, its Braamfontein location should attract and retain investment in the CBD, "making it the ideal location as the City of Joburg develops into the hub of Africa's ICT sector".