Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced the opening of a new office in Johannesburg, South Africa. The launch is in response to the country’s growing need for a secure cloud computing model.
What to expect
According to AWS’ country manager, Chris Erasmus, ”the new office will support customers to innovate, lower their IT costs, and grow their organisations by leveraging the cloud.”
He also stated that Amazon looks “forward to fostering the country’s pioneering spirit alongside our customers by helping them accelerate their digital transformation and deliver innovative new products and services to the South African economic landscape.”
Recall that earlier this year, the Cape Town High Court halted the construction of Amazon Africa’s headquarters over violation of sacred land rights.
The court ruled that Amazon had exceeded due process for an establishment even as protests erupted to preserve SA’s ancestral heritage despite the Liesbeek Leisure Properties Trust approval in 2021.
- US retail giant, Amazon, will be the anchor tenant, opening a base of operations on the African continent, the statement read.
The move has met severe backlash from the Khoi and San community leaders who said it was a violation of sacred land. The Liesbeek Action Campaign for instance stated:
- The proposed development is destructive, non consultative, and without consideration of the unique heritage and environmental importance of the Two Rivers Convergence.
- The confluence of the Liesbeek and Black Rivers is sacred land. It is a lynch pin for the green corridor of Cape Town, sensitive indigenous plant and animal life. It is a site of memory for the First Nation community and all of South Africa – associated with Khoi ritual and resistance since 1510.
- The approval process was flawed on heritage, environmental & legal grounds.
Amazon is not slowing down
AWS which launched into Africa in 2004 with its first office in Cape Town has grown to be a major provider of cloud computing services. The last two decades have seen an expansive growth in its cloud infrastructure as it supports over 43 million South Africans.
- AWS had in 2017 launched Direct Connect and 2018 saw the introduction of Amazon CloudFront in South Africa.
- In 2020, AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region was launched to host its fast growing network.
Why South Africa?
South Africa has consistently shown interest in its appetite for cloud computing and web management. Thus making the country a hot spot for businesses to thrive.
Amazon isn’t the only tech giant making waves in SA; There are also Google, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, and others operating in its ecosystem.
