We are at the end of our first quarter for 2020/21 Financial Year and this quarter was like no other as we are faced with unprecedented circumstances as a country and globally due to Covid-19. It has been 99 days since South Africa went into national lockdown with the aim of stemming the Corona Virus infection wave. Many businesses apart from those that are providing essential services had to close shops, our economy went into recession. On the 27th March 2020, Moody Credit Rating agency announced that South Africa’s foreign and local currency is being downgraded to junk status, people lost their jobs, and many lost their loved ones due to the pandemic.
The Innovation Hub is no exception as a lot of our activities were affected, our entrepreneurs, tenants had to close shops and construction of the Biopark@Gauteng phase 3 building which had to be put on hold due to the pandemic. However, we have made much progress in ensuring that we cater to the needs of all our stakeholders and have continued to provide our service offering virtually.
The aggressive and much needed approach taken by the South African government to subside the spread of the virus has received positive recognition and support by international delegates and the United Nations.
As a results of President Cyril Ramaphosa address on the 25th May 2020, the nation has moved to level 3 of the lockdown and further amendments to level 3 regulations were made to further open the South African economy by allowing workplaces and work conferences with social distancing, personal care, professional non-contact sports and restaurant for sit down meals with limited capacity to resume. The Innovation Hub management company has taken several precautionary measures to ensure that staff and tenant companies who have resumed working in the Park operate in an environment that does not disregard health and safety. All our offices including all eKasiLabs offices were prepared to make sure that our employees gradually return they return to an environment that is safe to operate in and we will continuously observe social distancing and encourage all our employees, entrepreneurs and tenants to observe the prescribed safety precautions
We remain hopeful that our plans/activities that have been halted or delayed as a result of the pandemic will resume and we will be able to continue with some of the activities that was planned for 2020/21 financial year. Thus far, we can celebrate that we have been able to host a successful virtual Business Basics Workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs who were given the necessary tools in preparing to apply for the 2020 Gauteng Accelerator Programme (GAP) Competition.
To stay abreast of all the exciting entrepreneurship and tenant’s news, information and opportunities available at The Innovation Hub, connect with us on our social media platforms: follow us on Twitter @Innovhub, like us on Facebook @InnovhubZA and Instagram @Innovhub or visit our website www.theinnovationhub.com. Alternatively email us: info@theinnovationhub.com. We are always pleased to hear from you.
On behalf of The Innovation Hub, I thank you for being part of our innovation ecosystem community. Please take care of yourselves and your loved ones during this trying period and continue to play your part in limiting the spread of COVID-19. It is our wish to see you healthy and well to conquer the rest of 2020.
Until then……… practice social distancing, wash your hands and Keep Safe!!!
Advocate Pieter Holl
CEO of The Innovation Hub
