– Witt University
Remembering a South African grand nerd has a legacy of how to think about and engage with artificial intelligence.
“Barry was very Engaged and curious,deeply empathyvery focused Solving the problemand in his quiet way, he was so ChallengingIntellectually Strictand thoroughly Sceptical” said Sir John Lazare, technology leader, investor, philanthropist and Witz alumni. 2025 Barry Dwelatsky Memorial Lecture Professor.
As he was lovingly called, Professor Barry left a major influence on everything he met, and was for 50 years as a student, lecturer, researcher, innovator, mentor, mentor and fantastic university.
He also spoke to Lazar of Computer Science at Wits in the early 80s during the deep turmoil of South Africa. But Lazare said, “I remember having an incredible education and having found a truly amazing foundation in Witt. Today it is still a great, lively, top class institution and I am proud of it.”
Lazare became president of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2024 and was knighted by King Charles III of England earlier this year for his engineering and service to technology.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlhykkbgm3w
“Somewhere in the middle”
His lecture, title: Africa's AI: Innovation under constraintsfocuses on diverse views of AI discussion. At one branch, one person is trying to save humanity and make it more productive and happy, while on the other side of the spectrum, they think of “pure extinction that will soon occur.” On the side, we have people saying that artificial general information will happen next week. ”
Among these perspectives is the true opportunities for Africa and Africans over the next few years, and the exciting prospects for the continent to leverage innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. “Entrepreneurship is incredibly important,” Lazare praised Professor Barry's vision for the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem that led to the appointment of the director of the first innovation strategy at Witt.
“These are skills that we need to teach young people today. Youth in Africa are already running multiple fuss at the same time and doing it brilliantly. They need to be raised and supported.”
He said that Africa is a “young continent” and that all other continents are aging, and looking at the future, it is very important that Africa succeed.
The only way to do this is “to participate. We need to think of this as an opportunity for Africa. We really need to work together to maximize our ambitious thinking and “participate.”
“Just be like Professor Barry.”
However, Lazar warned that what he believes is the biggest risk of AI: “short-circuit to laziness and stupidity.”
“We need to talk about how we teach people about AI, and we need to talk about attitude skills. As this revolution unfolds, those who thrive, those who overcome this, will become those who have developed a particular attitude skills.
“What are these attitude skills?” It is the same list of quality that Professor Barry owned:
Engaged and curious
empathy
Problem Solving
Challenging
Strict
Sceptical
“We have to be engaged. We need to be interested. We have to hold on human qualities and empathy. We have to solve problems very, very strongly. And most importantly, we need to challenge ourselves every day (AI).
“So, at the end of this, Just be like Barry! ” Lazar finished his story.
Professor Barry's Legacy: Bridge Builders
Known as the “grand nerd” of South African digital innovation, young people are known as passionate followers who have the creativity, energy, drive and reason to build a new South Africa, Africa and the world.
He devoted his 50 years of life to wisdom in his various abilities as professor emeritus in the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Electrical and Information Engineering in the Construction Environment. Founder and Director of Joburg Center (JCSE) for Software Engineering. and founder of Wits Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, the university's digital innovation hub in Braamfontein.
Professor Barry passed away within a month of the Whits Innovation Center It was (wic) “He Pregnant and Revived Center,” released in 2023, said Professor Lynn Morris, Vice-President of Research and Innovation.
“There is no doubt he is very proud of how his vision has flourished over the past two years. Earlier this year, the first cohort of graduate diplomas of innovation students graduated and awarded his first David Fine Innovation Award,” she added.
Dr. David Fein, a Witz graduate and well-known entrepreneurial chemist, also attended lectures online. Genetically donated R5 million To establish the wonderful chair of Innovation Angela and David in Witt in 2022, Establishing a WIC.
The Wits Innovation Fund has also been established, with several spin-out companies currently in the pipeline. Find out more about WIC milestones.
Professor Zubron Villakazi, vice-president of Witz University, paid tribute to Professor Barry, “co-workers and dear friends.” He was “a builder of the bridge between field, people, imagination and implementation.
“He had a deep and deep belief in the potential of young people and the importance of giving them room to lead, fail and fly,” Villakazi said.
The memorial lecture is the annual event to celebrate Professor Barry's legacy and help the university build his vision of becoming an innovation leader for academics and students to use their knowledge to advance communities, cities, countries, continents and globes. First commemorative lecture Presented by Professor Solomon Acepha 2024.
Biography of Sir John Lazare
Co-Founder, Enza Capital | Chair, Raspberry Pi Foundation | Royal Academy of Engineering
John Lazare is a technology leader, investor and philanthropist with a deep commitment to innovation in Africa and around the world. He is the co-founder and general partner of Enza Capital, which invests in over 35 African companies and supports high-tech-driven solutions that support Nairobi-based companies. Since 2020, John has chaired the Raspberry Pi Foundation. It aims to empower young people through computing and AL. In 2024, Raspberry Pi Holdings was listed on the London Stock Exchange, generating nearly $800 million in donations to the Foundation's global mission.
He became president of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2024, following years of support for African engineering innovators through his long-standing leadership within the academy and through his Africa Awards.
Previously, John was CEO and chairman of Metaswitch Networks, the global leader in cloud communication software that Microsoft acquired in 2020. It also invests over 40 angels and supports numerous technology startups in the UK and Africa. The Rhodes scholar holds degrees from Oxford University (Master's degree from Computation and Dphil in History) and Wits University (BSC Hons in Computer Science).
He was awarded the CBE in 2016 and the Order of Knights in 2025 for his services to engineering and technology.
