BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
MBABANE – Datamatics Eswatini in collaboration with African Tourism Showcase empowered students and lecturers from Walter Sisulu University with a lecture about the ICT sector.
Sibusiso Baartjies from Datamatics Eswatini emphasized the importance of collaboration with educational institutions as it contributes to the growth and development of the ICT sector.
Baartjies mentioned that they were committed to leveraging technology to address environmental challenges and drive innovation. He acknowledged the opportunity afforded to them by African Tourism Showcase.
“This event was extremely important as it provided an opportunity to share insights into our core departments—Networking, Management Information Systems (MIS), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)—and to showcase how our expertise is making a tangible impact.” He said.
Datamatics Software Engineer Bakhombisile Dlamini led a discussion on how technology can be harnessed to benefit the environment. He highlighted some of their deployed systems, such as the INMACOM MIS, which manages water resources across Eswatini, South Africa, and Mozambique. This system oversees everything from river flows and dam levels to groundwater and rainfall data.
“By providing real-time monitoring and analysis, INMACOM MIS plays a crucial role in sustainable water management and conservation efforts in the region,” Dlamini shared.
Dlamini also introduced the ESERA Retail Station Model, a tool designed to assist in managing the demand and supply of fuel stations. He said this model helps prevent clustering, improves access for consumers, and ensures a more efficient distribution of fuel resources.
In addition, Mthokozisi Nxumalo elaborated on how they utilize GIS to stay ahead in various sectors, particularly agriculture. He further talked about one of Datamatics projects with the Eswatini Sugar Corporation, where they employ GIS technology to help manage their fields and crops.
“By integrating spatial data and analytics, we enable more precise farming practices, optimize resource use, and enhance crop yields. The lecture was extremely important as it allowed us to engage with the academic community and expose students to real-world applications of technology. By sharing our practical experience, we aim to inspire future professionals to harness technology for positive change,” he said.
Datamatics Eswatini was honored with the 2024 Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Talking about that achievement, Dlamini said they were all about excellence.
“This recognition reflects our dedication to excellence and our commitment to pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with educational institutions and contributing to the growth and development of the ICT sector,” Nxumalo concluded.
