Picture: THINKSTOCK
Picture: THINKSTOCK

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Many people are aware that the first human heart transplant was performed by South African surgeon, Dr Christiaan Barnard, at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town in 1967. He was also the first person to perform a heart-lung transplant and pioneered the post-operative intensive care system that noticeably decreased patient mortality.

East London harbour engineer, Eric Merrifield is credited with the invention of the dolos, one of South Africa’s best-known inventions. These concrete structures protect harbour walls from erosion by dissipating the power of the ocean waves.

A socially uplifting innovation is that of XMLVend, an open interface standard that facilitates the sale of prepaid electricity. Prepaid electricity meters have been particularly helpful for rural and low-income earners, as there are no fixed monthly charges or reconnection fees, and the display of available credit enables these customers to budget, ensuring no surprising large account at the end of the month. Prepayment also assists Eskom to manage theft. Eskom analyses the consumption and purchase patterns of customers, and site visits are performed if anomalies are detected.

Familiar, commercially successful South African innovations are the first pool vacuum cleaner, the Kreepy Krauly, and the only South African invention reputed to have travelled to the moon (Nasa chose it as one of the adhesives used on the Ranger Moon Module Project in 1967), Pratley Putty.

South Africa has a number of great examples of innovation. Many can be credited to the fact that for many years the country was isolated from the global economy, and we therefore had to innovate out of necessity.

Since we can now import any goods or services should the need arise, that necessity has dissipated, and there is less motivation to innovate.

Nevertheless, innovation is still essential for economic growth and job creation. It plays a critical role in the competitive advantage of companies and countries. It also has a place in the public sector where governments are looking at more effective ways in meeting service delivery demands.

Emerging countries like China, India and Brazil have recognised the importance of innovation in positioning themselves to compete with the established world.

With this in mind, Accenture has launched South Africa’s first Innovation Index, with the objective of re-energising South Africa’s innovation psyche and innovation-driven culture.

The index aims to provide an authoritative, objective snapshot of the current state of innovation in South Africa. It also intends to unearth innovation wherever it may exist, highlight national role models, and recognise and reward innovation across the public and private sectors of South Africa.

Additionally, the index seeks to access progressive thinking around innovation, provide an understanding of the key local drivers of innovation, identify areas of strength and those for development, and showcase how innovation creates value.

Participating organisations will be able to benchmark their innovative concepts and systems against peer organisations in their sector. They also stand to enhance their corporate and employer profile, and extend their business network.

Through the Innovation Index, organisations will be given the opportunity to promote their innovative concepts. The index will create a platform for entrepreneurs or emerging organisations to take their ideas to the next level through access to knowledge, skills and funding from private equity, venture capital and banking institutions.

Larger or more established business concerns will be able to use the insights gained to transform into high performance, innovative organisations. We are learning from organisations that the value in participating in the Innovation Index is with the thought provoking questions that prompt discussions at management and executive levels.

Specifically, Accenture will endeavour to use the index to provide a forum for collaboration and engagement between the government, education, private sector industry leaders and non-profit organisations, to debate key national issues with a view to gaining consensus. Accenture hopes to leverage the index information and data to influence national government philosophy and policy around the nurturing and commercialisation of innovation both in our country and on the African continent.

The inaugural index has shown high participation with 190 entries received from a range of companies across multiple industries – from those with an annual turnover of less than R5m, to those with an annual turnover above R100m, and non-profit organisations.

This remarkable participation will ensure a more accurate gauge of innovation in South Africa. It is also an indication of the level of aspiration for innovation. The great deal of interest means that South Africa hasn’t lost its entrepreneurial spirit.

On October 10 2013, the top innovation concepts that were entered into the Accenture Innovation Index – game-changing products, services, solutions or processes which lead to enhanced stakeholder value – will be presented at a showcase at Urban Tree in Kramerville, Sandton, from 11.30am to 4.30pm. This Innovation Showcase is a unique opportunity to see the variety of innovation that has been driven in the South African market, directly engage with the concept originators, and explore opportunities for cross-collaboration or adoption.

That evening, the top innovation masters and concepts will be recognised at an awards gala, and the innovation trends will be revealed. Thereafter, the emphasis will be on determining how to cultivate the pockets of innovation identified, to enhance the quality of life of South Africans, and in building the nation through economic growth.

• Walters is managing executive of Innovation and Operations at Accenture South Africa