Digital transformation in local government involves more than technology. It also raises important questions about institutional capacity, data strategy, ways of working and what municipalities need to sustain digital infrastructure over time.
Join us for a panel discussion exploring these questions through the real-world experiences of the Urban Resilience Programme. Supported by the UK FCDO, initiated with foundational data strategy from the Open Data Institute (ODI), and implemented alongside Open Cities Lab (OCL), this session goes far beyond the typical success story.
What We’ll Explore:
- Behind the City Stories: What local officials set out to achieve, the practical hurdles they faced, and what has actually changed in daily practice.
- What worked - and what didn’t: The approaches that gained traction, what is still being embedded and where challenges remain.
- Connecting Local to National: How municipal-level lessons tie into broader conversations around Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), interoperability, and institutional readiness.
- Sustained Ownership: How to create the organizational conditions that allow digital infrastructure to thrive long after a programme ends.
Why attend? If you are a city official, policymaker, or practitioner looking for honest insights working with data and digital transformation, this webinar offers practical and candid insights into what it really takes to build data-capable local government.
Speakers
Norma Grobler, Manager: Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) , Ugu District Municipality
Norma Grobler serves as the Manager: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Ugu District Municipality, where she provides strategic leadership in digital transformation, ICT governance, cybersecurity, data management, and technology-enabled service delivery. With extensive experience in municipal ICT management, Norma has established herself as a leader committed to leveraging technology to improve operational efficiency, strengthen governance, and enhance service delivery outcomes for communities.
In her role, Norma is responsible for developing and implementing ICT strategies, policies, and governance frameworks that align with municipal objectives, national legislation, and industry best practices. She has led numerous initiatives focused on modernising ICT infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity, advancing data analytics and business intelligence capabilities, and supporting the adoption of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence to drive evidence-based decision-making across the municipality.
Mr Bongumusa Zondo, Director: Strategy & Integrated Development Planning at eThekwini
Mr Bongumusa Zondo is a public-sector strategist committed to building resilient, inclusive and digitally enabled cities. As Director: Strategy & Integrated Development Planning at eThekwini, he leads the integration of city strategy with insight-driven policy and practice, ensuring decisions are informed by data intelligence, digital platforms and lifecycle analytics. Mr Zondo champions digital transformation in planning and governance, embedding city intelligence dashboards, predictive analytics and DPI-aligned platforms into strategic processes. This enables evidence-based prioritisation, transparent budgeting with an aim of improving service delivery outcomes.
Joanne Parker, Chief Executive Officer of Open Cities Lab
Joanne Parker is the Chief Executive Officer of Open Cities Lab, where she leads work that uses data and digital tools for public good. She has over 15 years’ experience in public sector research, with a strong focus on translating evidence into practical decision-making. Joanne is passionate about working with city stakeholders to build sustainable solutions that improve the lives of residents, especially marginalised communities.
More speakers to be announced.
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