The first time I heard of the Silicon Cape initiative, I wondered which plastic surgeon was involved in a community push for enhanced assets. Luckily, this is far removed from the truth of this exciting, dynamic development. To host the event in Camps Bay, however, was a satirical twist which I don't think was intentional. If it was, the organisers need to rethink their involvement in stand up comedy.

Created by two homegrown technology entrepreneurs, Vinny Lingham of Yola.com and Justin Stanford of 4Di Capital, the Silicon Cape initiative is literally drawing a line in the sand and challenging the South African regulatory authorites and internet start-ups to quit talking and start doing.

These two dynamic men have set the standard of exported South African intellectual property  and challenge all of us, this magazine included, to redefine the space within which we operate. Silicon Valley in the USA is the inspiration, and with the collection of living standards, minds, entrepreneurial spirits and passionate, skilled individuals which exists in the Western Cape, is something that we should all aspire to learn from. Creating it will not be easy. There are many challenges as some of the speakers highlighted.

The shared vision of Justin and Vinny comes from a close working relationship and a firm belief on the availability of the requisite knowledge and "can-do" attitude of the South African diaspora. The ease with which the two see the creation of an emulated, improved and distinctly South African initiative taking on the world tech centres is an inspiring challenge. One that, from this hack's perspective, we are perfectly capable of taking on and triumphing at.

The fact that two South African entrepreneurs have had the wherewithal and chutzpah to export intellectual property to the original Silicon Valley in the USA shows us that it is possible. They listed the successes of South African's before them, the likes of Mark Shuttleworth, Elon Musk and the number three at Microsoft, whose name escapes me. These guys set the bar pretty high, but give us valuable insight into what is possible once your mind is set on it.

Once we had all had, as Premiere Zille so aptly called it, the two feel good jacuzzi jets of Vinny and Justin massage us into a state of bliss, Andrea Bohmert took to the stage. As the polite applause died, so did a lot of the chummy, "aren't we the chosen ones" smiles. Andrea is co-managing partner of HP Ventures. Their website states that "Hasso Plattner Ventures Africa provides a global gateway to established entrepreneurs who have innovative technologies with a proven track record of generating revenue locally".

Wonderful. But what does that mean? According to Andrea, it means our work is just staring when we thought it was time to reap the benefits, even if merely remotely linked to this intiative. She picked at the ethos, message and challenges facing the Silicon Cape project, but not in any way disparaged it. I think it was a sobering message, but one that put the lack of regulatory back-up and framework into the spotlight as the central challenge that needs to be addressed before the project can really gather momentum.

The fact that Premier Zille and Dr. Mamphela Ramphele were in the audience and had to listen to this was encouraging. They would both later address it and commit to challenging the current staus quo in their relative positions within the regulatory political landscape.

Laurence Olivier, South African born partner of Atlanta based Veritas Venture Partners,  was called upon to replenish the feel-good factor of the meet and did a splendid job in doing so, once again, however, highlighting the desperate need of a more compliant legislature and political will. Drawing parallels between South Africa and Israel, which underwent a similar soul searching technology debate 15 years ago, he pointed the way in which we might find success amongst the many investment and participation models we might choose from. Without his slides and notes form his presentation, I am going to take a breather on passing opinion. Uncharacteristic of me, I know, but there are times when prudence is an asset.

Next on stage came a South African icon. The Rupert family have long been held as the rags to ultimate luxury riches story of our recent past. Johann Rupert, often described as reclusive, was an engaging speaker once he had warmed up. His insight into the tech sector and business in general, while never losing sight of what the challenges are in a South African context, showed just why he occupies his place in the financial history of this country. 

The fact that he is so involved in start-ups and upliftment projects, while having so much to do on various boards of directors, should serve as an inspiration and lesson in time management to us all.

After a well deserved coffe break, the conference reconvened with a panel discussion. Without going into detail, suffice to say it was a welcome sight to see so many people wanting to participate. Had the panel moderator, Laurence Olivier, not called a halt to proceedings, I am certain I would still be there. It was an excellent example of what can be achieved by a disparate group of people who have a common interest and desire for success. It also bodes well for the formation of the necessary bodies and mentoring services needed if the Silicon Cape Initiative is to succeed. It opened dialogue. And in my experience, when people are talking around a central theme, and each approaching it from a a slightly different angle with the same end result in mind, magic happens.

The magic that is possible, will be helped immeasurably by the involvement of people like Dr. Ramphele, the Chairperson of the government structure, the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). Her presence showed that the government is taking this seriously, and if she is able to keep the ear of the powers that be, we can be assured of her continued fight for a stronger, more liberated regulatory environment in which our tech based start ups can flourish.

Helen Zille, her usual charming, forthright and humourous self, brought the role of the politician in assisting the creating of this initiative to the fore. We all know and respect that she is a bit like a dog with a bone when she sinks her teeth into a project. And it seems as though this initiative to promote the greater Western Cape as a hot-bed of South African innovation in the technology sector, is yet another blunt instrument with which she will bludgeon the sitting government for regulatory reform.

As an initiative, Silicon Cape is brave, brazen and just what we like to see as South African's. A forum with which we can show the rest of teh world just what we are made of. It isn't an instant fix, as everyone was at pains to point out, and the participants now should only expect to see the true benefits of this hub of hi-tech wonderment in the next 10-15 years. So, while most of us are prone to take a short term view of things, this is an initiative that demands energy and commitment for the long haul.

I know I am up for it. Are you?