Welcoming Address rendered by Ms Linah Nematandani on behalf of Acting CEO, Mr Thibi Matshele

Acting GM: Marketing and Communications: The Innovation Hub

10  July 2023

The Innovation Hub

Programme Director, Kenel Makhamnandi  Zama

• Chief of the South African Defence Force  Lt General Mbabo
• Members present of the Military Command Council
• Members of the SA National Defence Force
• The Organising Committee
• South Africa Airforce
• Aerospace Maritime and Defence Association
• TIH COMMUNITY MEMBER, CEO of TMI Simulation Solutions, Mr Thivash Moodley
• Stakeholders in the in the Airforce and Defence Industry
• Members of the media
• Ladies and gentlemen, good morning

It is my honour and a privilege to welcome you to The Innovation Hub,  for those who are coming here for the first time , the innovation agency of  Gauteng Province and Africa’s first accredited Science and Technology Park strategically tasked to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the Gauteng Province . I am delighted that you chose our venue to come and host your symposium today as you  explore the latest developments in immersive simulation systems, war gaming tools and sensor technologies at this inaugural Aerospace Simulation and Training. It is our hope that you will consider our venue to come and host your trainings and conferences for your departments.

I am also  proud  to share that in line with the symposium ,  most  members of the TIH Community , companies such as , TMI Simulations Solutions , Naledi 3d  and also our stakeholder in  research and development, CSIR,  have developed solutions to assist in the integration of simulation technology into South Africa’s defence sector, this companies  represent the innovation capabilities that companies within The Innovation community poses. They represent our strive to increase national competitiveness and our aim to beat any competition and our aim is to beat any competition anywhere in the world

We hope that the leadership of the Defence of our country will consider TIH as the destination of the Institute of Aviation Medicine which was originall y earmarked for location here in 2009 as per our Memorandum of Agreement then, to train pilots and other innovation activities of the institute. We still have adequate land for the project which then was estimated at R2billion. I was told that there will be tours that will be conducted at the end of each programme , if you wish to visit some of our facilities, kindly note that our doors are open to show you some of the innovations that our entrepreneurs and tenants are busy with.

As you deliberate on issues outlined in your programme , i believe that you will utilize the learnings and deliberation to further contribute to the advancement of the defence industry.

I therefore wish you all the best for the two days and I hope that you will do visit us again

I thank you