For the first time ever, Google brought its Big Tent to Africa. On September 5th, the event made its debut in Johannesburg, South Africa, gathering together leaders from politics, business, and technology to exchange ideas and debate South Africa’s digital future. Keynote speakers included Hon. Yunus Carrim, South Africa Minister of Communications and Vint Cerf, a “father of the internet” (and Google’s Chief Internet Evangelist).

Big Tent Johannesburg specifically looked at how the internet and mobile web is transforming Africa’s economy and society. Speakers asked questions like:

• How can we harness the digital economy to fuel jobs, growth and innovation in South Africa?
• Who will benefit from the growth of the internet economy in South Africa?
• Does South Africa have conducive policy frameworks?
• How do we create conditions for innovation and entrepreneurship?
• What are examples to emulate from within and beyond South Africa?

South Africa’s Minister of Communications, Yunus Carrim, highlighted the transformation effect of Internet on society. He warned of the danger of a digital divide reinforcing social exclusion.  He also laid out the government’s vision to expand access to the Internet to ensure people and businesses across the country can take advantage of the opportunities online.

Vint Cerf evangelized the power of the Internet and how South Africa can better take advantage of the opportunities. He touched on regulatory frameworks, technical support for its growth, and how to maximize on the global market created by the internet.

Additional points gathered using the #BigTentZA hashtag are useful too

The new Minister of Communications gets plenty of positive reviews:

Delivering broadband and making spectrum available are key tasks for #bigtentza minister Yunus Carrim. And it is going to happen soon

— Brett St Clair (@brett_stclair) September 5, 2013

The Minister of Communications, Mr Yunus Carrim sounds really focused and determined to improve ICT in the country #BigTentZa

— Geekulcha (@Geekulcha) September 5, 2013

New Minister of Comms is a very amiable, forthright character. Enjoying listening to him. He asks society "hold govt to account" #BigTentZA

— Justin Stanford (@JustinStanford) September 5, 2013

Communications minister Carrim means business. Comes across as very humble. I saw him arrive. One car. No blue lights no fanfare #BigTentZA

— Aki Anastasiou (@AkiAnastasiou) September 5, 2013

Entrepreneurs should serve actual local needs (and not just copy international trends):

Afrinolly came about because its creators realised that people were searching for Nigerian movies on Google. #BigTentZA

— Burn Media Reporter (@burnreporter) September 5, 2013

We need forward-thinkers:

We use analogue people to build digital policies Dr Bitange Ndemo #bigtentza

— Brett St Clair (@brett_stclair) September 5, 2013

An open internet, uninhibited by regulation, is fundamental to its use as a tool for economic growth:

Vint Cerf: an open unregulated internet is vital to our future http://t.co/OVV0qO1hwn by @Stu_Thom4s #BigTentZA

— memeburn (@memeburn) September 5, 2013

Stats: the often-cited broadband/GDP number plus South African internet penetration:

#BigTentZA Dalberg Report – 10% broadband increase equates to 1.38% GDP growth; Internet enabled solutions having socio-economic impact

— McLean Sibanda (@mcleansibanda) September 5, 2013

Access to Internet in SA: 64.8% No access. 16.3% Through Cellphone. 8.6% From home 5.6% from elsewhere 4.7% From work #bigtentza

— Ricardo Francisco (@RicardoAngolano) September 5, 2013

In summary:

Interesting day at #BigTentZA. Key takeaways – determined new comms minister, policy change reqd for affordability, great local tech enviro

— Dillon Mann (@dillonmann) September 5, 2013

The Google+ recap, heavy on photos, is worth a look too: #BigTentZA

Sponsors included Silicon Cape Initiative and BusinessDay.