When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, it wasn’t just a test of healthcare systems, the pandemic highlighted gaps in how cities manage crises and plan for the future. From tracking outbreaks to coordinating emergency responses and planning long-term recovery, the need for real-time data and strong digital systems became clear. One key lesson? No city can tackle such crises alone. Collaboration and robust data-sharing systems are essential to building resilience and ensuring no community is left behind. On top of dealing with devastating crises, cities are tackling a range of complex challenges on a daily basis that demand innovative solutions. From coordinating efficient resource allocation, to managing consistent and timely service delivery. 

Fast forward to a few Fridays ago, when uMgungundlovu, Ilembe, Ugu, uMhlathuze, and Msunduzi municipalities - across KZN, took a significant step towards addressing these gaps. Together with OCL and with the UK Government in South Africa’s support through the Urban Resilience Programme, municipal leaders and city practitioners gathered to embark on an exciting digital and data transformation journey. The ultimate goal? To build more resilient, efficient, and inclusive cities that can better serve their communities, both now and in the future. 

Why Data Maturity Matters

Here’s a question to think about: What’s the difference between a city that can respond to crises with precision and one that struggles to coordinate? The answer often lies in data maturity - a city’s ability to collect, manage, and use data effectively.

During the KZN Regional Data and Digital Transformation convening, municipal officials shared their thoughts on where they stand with data. While many pointed out several hurdles they’re facing, there’s a silver lining: these challenges are really just opportunities in disguise. 

Take this insight from Ms. Yandiswa Mhlamvu, a paricipant from Ray Nkonyeni Municipality who described how data could be transformative for her municipality:

“With an integrated GIS system, addressing complaints becomes faster and more efficient. It enables us to quickly locate and respond to issues because we have both the data and the geographical context at our fingertips. As a municipality, it is crucial for us to reach this level of integration: where our systems seamlessly communicate with one another, significantly improving response times and enhancing our ability to serve the community efficiently.”

These are the kinds of practical, incremental steps municipalities are beginning to envision on their path toward greater data maturity. However, the challenges extend beyond technology. Reflecting on the professional environments within municipalities, Mr Khethukuthula Joseph Zulu, Ray Nkonyeni's Municipality Manager, highlighted the need for a cultural shift in decision-making:

“Municipalities are staffed with professionals across various fields, from project management to HR, each bringing specialised training and expertise. However, once we enter the workforce, it’s easy to become caught up in day-to-day operations and focus solely on what legislation permits or prohibits, limiting our ability to think critically or strategically beyond those boundaries. We need to cultivate a mindset where we actively ask ‘what do I need to make an informed decision?’ Decision-making tends to rely on past experience and generalised thinking rather than being grounded in data. To address this, we must prioritise aligning our actions with the use of data and digital management systems, empowering ourselves to make decisions that are not only compliant with legislation but are also strategically informed and impactful.”

These insights underscore the importance of rethinking data and digital systems, not just as tools but as enablers of a broader cultural transformation in municipalities.

‍What Happened on the Day

‍The convening was a day of collaboration, reflection, and bold commitments. Shabari Shaily-Gerber, Head of Urban Economic Development at FCDO South Africa, gave a warm welcoming message and a keynote address delving into the goals of the Urban Resilience Programme. By 2023, the programme had already supported cities like Cape Town and eThekwini. Now, it’s expanding to other KZN municipalities to help them support their digital journeys. Through a co-development approach, the programme works as an equal partner with municipalities, not just providing support but collaborating to craft solutions that work for their unique contexts. 

‍Digital Transformation in Action

‍Aliasgher Janmohammed, Senior Product Owner at OCL, delved into what digital transformation really means for South African cities. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about fancy gadgets or cutting-edge software. It’s all about people, processes, and purpose. Key points about a digital transformation: 

• It starts with user needs: It begins with understanding what people need - whether it’s streetlights that work or accurate information about service upgrades.
• Work iteratively: instead of trying to build the perfect system all at once, take small, efficient steps that can adapt to real-world conditions.
• Data as a decision-making tool: By using data to inform decisions, municipalities can avoid inefficiencies and create solutions that have real impact. 

‍Data Maturity Assessment Results

‍Paul Figueira, Design Lead at OCL, presented the much-anticipated results of the Data Maturity Assessments conducted by OCL across the KZN municipalities. While the findings revealed areas for growth, they also sparked hope and determination among attendees. Key insights from the assessments included:

• Data silos: Many municipalities struggle with fragmented data stored in incompatible systems. Breaking down these silos is essential for collaboration.
• Manual processes: A disproportionate amount of time is spent working on data (e.g., cleaning, organising) rather than with data to generate insights. 
• Undefined roles: Clarity is needed around who owns, curates and provides access to data within departments. 

The presentation highlighted the importance of understanding these challenges as the first step towards addressing them. The assessments serve as a roadmap, helping municipalities prioritise actions that will unlock the value of their data.

‍Collaborative Discussions and Commitments

‍The second half of the day was all about collaboration. Participants broke into groups to reflect on the findings, share their own experiences, and discuss potential solutions. Some key themes emerged:

• Improving data reliability: Municipalities acknowledged the need for better systems to ensure their data is accurate and usable.
• Breaking silos: Participants discussed the importance of fostering cross-departmental and municipal collaboration to make data more accessible.
• Engaging communities: Data strategies should include mechanisms for public participation, ensuring that city residents’ voices shape municipal priorities.

The day wrapped up with group report-backs, where participants made pledges to take actionable steps toward digital and data transformation in their municipalities.

‍The Path Ahead

‍While the journey to high data maturity won’t happen overnight, the convening was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when municipalities come together with a shared purpose. Digital transformation isn’t just about adopting new tech, it’s about creating systems that work for people, from city leaders to the residents they serve. By starting this journey, KZN municipalities are laying the foundation for more resilient cities. They’re proving that no matter where you start, what matters is taking the first step. Here’s to a future where data doesn’t just sit in spreadsheets but drives meaningful action.