EXECTUTIVE BIO
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Parliament of the Republic South Africa ’ s Unathi Mtya and her ICT division colleagues
EXECTUTIVE BIO
Unathi Mtya studied Bachelor of Science at the University of Fort Hare and majored in Computer Science and Geographic Information Systems . She also completed the GIBS Executive Development Programme ( SITA ) as well as the Professional Certificate in CIO Practice at the University of Witwatersrand . She recently graduated with a Master of Science in Technology Management degree from Columbia University in New York .
Mtya ’ s career has her feet placed firmly in both the private and public sectors . Starting at First National Bank , she has followed a path that took her through business ICT at BCX . After this she joined the State Information Technology Agency ( SITA ) in a number of management roles , culminating to the role of CIO heading Internal IT . Here Mtya established the Integration and Interoperability division , and also led the Converged Communication division . She is now with Parliament of the Republic of South Africa as Chief Information Officer .
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
Identified as the second largest economy on the continent , South Africa has firmly cemented itself as a leader in the tech space . But with rapid technological growth , what challenges are facing the sector in the country ? “ One thing I think is key is increasing access ,” reflects Mtya . “ In a society like South Africa , the more access that is in young people ’ s hands the better , because then they are able to participate in the economy , they are able to start their own organisations , they are able to create startups . Increasing access and also lowering cost of data is something that I think could bring about a positive digital economy and promote tech literacy .”
On the path to digitisation , the South African parliament isn ’ t alone . Parliaments across the globe are beginning to understand the inherent value of digitisation for the democratic process . To promote innovation , Mtya accompanied a multi-party
238 April 2018