The country of South Africa said goodbye to a brilliant mind, an outstanding visionary, and a source of motivation for many students, coworkers, and collaborators on May 16, 2023. Professor emeritus Barry Dwolatzky, sometimes known as the “Grand Geek,” passed away in Johannesburg, South Africa, on April 1, 2018. His contributions to software engineering will be remembered for a long time.
Who’s Really Behind the Name?
In addition to graduating with honours at Wits, Barry Dwolatzky accomplished much throughout his life. After completing his undergraduate degree in 1975 and his doctorate in 1980, he moved on to pursue postdoctoral work at prestigious universities like the University of Manchester and Imperial College in London.
One of his colleagues recalled seeing him for the first time in 1989 when he returned to South Africa to take a senior lecturer position at Wits University. We worked together and became good friends, and I gained so much knowledge from him because of his infectious enthusiasm.
Changing the Face of Engineering Education
When Dwolatzky got back to South Africa, he saw that programming and IT were becoming increasingly important in the engineering field. He was a major contributor to the development of Wits University’s programming requirements for the School of Electrical and Information Engineering.
Since most engineering graduates were being hired by the ICT industry, Barry established a software engineering department as a distinct discipline from electrical engineering. This development appealed to the fast-growing mobile phone and computer industries.
“Barry had the foresight to see that engineering wasn’t just hardware,” said one expert. He anticipated the importance of software and ICT in business.
Socially Responsible Software Engineering
Barry applied his knowledge to solving a major social problem in the early 1990s. When the CEO of Eskom announced the “Electricity for All” campaign, Dwolatzky recognised an opening to contribute to the planning of township electrification. The Computer-Aided Reticulation of Townships (CART) he developed streamlined the planning and execution of these massive electrification initiatives.
“CART was a revolutionary tool,” an ex-Eskom engineer claimed. It was a huge help in preparing for and carrying out the massive electrification programme. Barry’s software knowledge and comprehension of the practical aspects of engineering were crucial to its success.*
Making a Space for Future Innovators
Barry’s ideas went far beyond the classroom and technological benefits for society. He aimed to provide a setting that encouraged original thought and sparked new business ventures. The abandoned structures in Braamfontein’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct are the materialisation of his dream.
“Barry had a knack for seeing potential in the most unlikely places,” recalls one of the Precinct’s original members. As an adage goes, “Where others saw rundown buildings, he saw the birthplace of innovation.”*
Today, Tshimologong exists as a tribute to Dwolatzky’s vision. It is a dynamic co-working space, incubator for digital entrepreneurs, and educational resource for digital tools.
An Enduring Visionary
Dwolatzky’s dedication to innovation lasted even into his retirement. A month before his death, he and Professor Lynn Morris, the deputy vice-chancellor of Wits University, co-founded the Wits Innovation Centre.
To call Barry Dwolatzky a “Grand Geek” would be an understatement. He was an early adopter, a trendsetter, and a fierce advocate for new ideas. His legacy will live on in South Africa’s technology industry thanks to his effort, vision, and the institutions he established.
A good friend of Barry’s reflected on his life, saying, “Barry was a man ahead of his time, always pushing the envelope.” He foresaw what was possible in engineering and gave it to us. His vision and direction were crucial to our success in the field.*
About The Author:
Lebohang Mokoena is an award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience in business reporting. She specialises in innovation and technology in South Africa and beyond. Lebohang holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and has previously worked for top-tier publications before joining Africa Nova.
