The NGO operates in 23 countries and has impacted millions of people.
By: Nadine Sims
The Deputy Minister, Buti Manamela, from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), visited the Reconstructed Living Labs (RLabs) facility on Thursday, May 25, in Westridge, Mitchells Plain.
RLabs is a non-profit organisation that helps the surrounding community members access facilities to turn their ideas, products and services into reality.
The Deputy Minister arrived and toured the facilities, meeting and interacting with all the community members, entrepreneurs and youth innovators.
The facility is housed in a modern-looking building decked out with meeting rooms, paintings, a big hall and a coffee shop.
The 14-year-old organisation received initial funding from the Department of Science and Technology, as it was known then.
“That investment and belief in us 14 years ago has now impacted over 15 million people across the world,” said founder Marlon Parker, who later expressed his interest in collaborating with the DSI again.
According to their social media account, RLabs also offers Web Development classes for the community, where students build their local community organisation’s websites as part of their practical assignment.
Said Manamela: “The living labs also help take innovations co-created with local economic development stakeholders from concept to product or service stage and support their use to increase the productivity of local economic sectors.”
He also explained that through the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), which manages the Living Labs initiative, the Department funds some of the innovators of RLabs. TIA is a public entity aiming to help develop technology and innovations, like products, applications, inventions and services, and offers funding.
The organisation currently operates in 23 countries. “What started with one person 14 years ago has impacted millions of people, and all of us have something to offer to make this a success,” added Parker.
Every first Thursday of the month, the Mitchells Plain facility hosts an evening for the community. You can look at the artwork in RLabs house and gallery, where they showcase the talented artists and creative talent of the surrounding community of Mitchells Plain.
For more information about RLabs, visit RLabs.org