WHO IS HE?
Phathizwe Malinga is part of the SingularityU South Africa faculty with a focus on connecting Things to the Internet (IoT). He coined the phrase, “IoT is as simple as ABCD”, Applications + Backend Platform + Connectivity + Device. He looks at how to use the resultant Big Data and the power of smartphones to help solve some of Africa’s grand challenges.
He has been involved in the information technology and telecommunication industries for over two decades and has held several senior management level positions. As the Managing Director of SqwidNet, a fully-owned subsidiary of Dark Fibre Africa, Phathizwe is responsible for building an IoT connectivity business in South Africa in partnership with International IoT giant SIGFOX.
Phathizwe is no stranger to the role of a strategist, as he consulted with Max Healthcare and worked for the Life Healthcare Hospital Group in his previous position. He completed his Executive MBA from the Graduate School of Business, Cape Town. He also guest lectures at the University of Cape Town and sits on the board of Bizmod Consulting.
WHAT HE DOES?
SingularityU South Africa Faculty Member
Phathizwe is a part of the SingularityU South Africa faculty with a focus on IoT, ICT, Big Data and the power of smartphones and how these exponential technologies can help solve some of Africa’s grand challenges. He is fascinated with how the Internet of Things can help to drive smart cities, business opportunities and economic growth.
Managing Director of SqwidNet
He has been in Software Development, mainly as a project manager and head, for almost 20 years. As the Managing Director of SqwidNet, he is responsible for building an IoT connectivity business in South Africa, developing the business strategy and overseeing the connected devices solutions divisions, in partnership with International IoT giant SIGFOX. Despite being a new start-up, they are focussed on providing South Africa’s first nationwide low-cost IoT network and have already covered over 90% of South Africa’s population. He strongly believes that transformation is essential for South Africa’s future success and will create opportunities for businesses, small and large, to come up with innovative solutions.
Strategist
He consulted with Max Healthcare and Life Healthcare Group in his previous position with SqwidNet. He has been involved in the information technology and telecommunications industry for over two decades, having held numerous senior management level positions.
Guest lecturer
He is inspired to pass on his knowledge and personal experiences. He believes in mentoring in the work, elbow deep, immersed in complexity. This is why he is a guest lecturer at his alumna mater, The University of Cape Town, and also works with MBA students at the Gibbs School of Business in Johannesburg.