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Iris Steals the Show at the Annual KZN MCT Summit by MTN

Iris Steals the Show at the Annual KZN MCT Summit by MTN

Author: By Kasia Yoko
Date: 2026-04-30

As artificial intelligence continues to dominate global headlines in 2026, KwaZulu-Natal had its own moment to shine at this year's MCT Summit hosted by MTN - and it came in the form of a remarkable local inventor and the country's first AI robot, Iris.

The annual KZN MCT Summit, one of the province's most anticipated technology gatherings, brought together industry leaders, innovators, and forward-thinkers eager to explore how cutting-edge technologies are reshaping the world. MTN, long committed to aligning itself with global technological trends, set the stage for an event that was equal parts inspiring and forward-looking. But it was one presentation that truly captured the hearts and imaginations of everyone in the room.

Thando Gumede, the brilliant Hluhluwe born and raised, South African inventor behind Iris - widely recognised as the first artificial intelligence robot to be developed in South Africa - took to the stage and left the audience speechless. With quiet confidence and undeniable expertise, Gumede walked attendees through the journey of creating Iris, sharing the vision, the challenges, and the extraordinary possibilities that lie ahead as AI continues to evolve at a breath-taking pace.

Iris is no ordinary achievement. In a global landscape where AI innovation has largely been driven by tech giants in the United States, Asia, and Europe, Gumede's work represents a powerful statement: that South Africa belongs at the table. That KwaZulu-Natal, right here in our own backyard, is producing world-class thinkers and creators who are not simply following global trends - they are helping to shape them.

For the community of KZN, this carries a profound significance. Iris is not just a robot. She is a symbol of what becomes possible when local talent is nurtured, believed in, and given a platform. Gumede's presence at the MTN MCT Summit sent a message to every young person in our province who has ever dared to dream about science, technology, and innovation: your ideas matter, and your moment can come.

MTN's decision to spotlight this kind of home grown innovation reflects a growing recognition that Africa's tech future will not be imported - it will be built here, by people like Thando Gumede.

As the summit drew to a close, conversations continued to buzz with excitement about what comes next for Iris and for South African AI development more broadly. Attendees left not just informed, but genuinely inspired.

In a province as rich in talent as KwaZulu-Natal, perhaps we should not be surprised that one of its finest minds is now making waves on the global stage. We should simply be proud - and paying close attention.