The City of Tshwane claims it will be home to the first virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) content training centre in continental Africa.
California-based software company EON Reality is partnering with the city to launch the Tshwane Interactive Digital Centre (IDC), which aims to enhance the local business and investment environment while creating high-skilled, sustainable jobs.

EON Reality specializes in VR-based knowledge transfer for business, education and edutainment. The company has similar centers operating in the UK, France, the UAE and Mauritius, to provide equipment and training in VR, augmented reality (AR) and 3D technology.

The VR technology has been around for decades, but what is exciting now, said a representative from EON Reality, is that the hardware is finally catching up with the software.

The IDC is a central part of the city’s long-term plan, Tshwane Vision 2055, which aims to “break the cycle of generational poverty, inequality and underdevelopment”, the city says in a statement.

The centre was located in Tshwane because of the city’s skills-building vision and the 17-year relationship between EON Reality and local company, the Naledi3d Factory, which is based at the Pretoria Innovation Hub.
EON Reality expects global AR and VR markets to reach $150 billion globally within the next few years and the 3D market is estimated to top $227 billion in 2017. The software company says content creation has to expand to keep up with local and global consumers’ needs.

“We’re extremely excited to partner with the City of Tshwane and build an IDC in South Africa,” says Dan Lejerskar, chairman of EON Reality.

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