ackowledgements - dtps.gov.za

The National Information Society and Development (ISAD) Plan was developed by a project team in thePresidential National Commission on Information Society and Development (PNC on ISAD). The developmentof the plan was overseen and reviewed by a National Working Group of Directors-General from theDepartments of Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Communications, Education, Foreign Affairs, GovernmentCommunications Information Systems (GCIS), Health, Home Affairs, Labour, Land Affairs, Minerals andEnergy, Provincial and Local Government, Public Enterprise, Public Service and Administration, SocialDevelopment, Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, and the the Director General of the ProvincialGovernments of Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Kwa Zulu Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, NorthernCape, North West, Western Cape, and the National and Provincial CEOs of the South African LocalGovernment (SALGA). International technical expertise was provided by the governments of Finland,Mozambique, Ireland and Malaysia.

Ackowledgements

The development and approval of the Information Society and Development (ISAD) Plan is significantin many ways. First it is insignificant in that it is line with the Presidential International AdvisoryCouncil (PIAC) recommendation to have a plan to rally the whole country. Secondly, the plan is aresponse to the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) plan of Action for countries to developplans that outline how the Information Society building was to unfold.

The work of building an inclusive Information Society is a tall order even for the most developed nationsof the world. This is more so in the case of a developing nation like South Africa. The biggest challengehas been the lack of coordination and integration, thus leading to duplications and general lack ofvisible impact. The ISAD Plan and its Institutional Mechanisms aim to address these challenges andmost importantly provide the vision to work towards.

The adoption of our country's Information Society vision, namely, “To establish South Africa as anadvanced Information Society in which Information and ICT tools are key drivers of economicand societal development”, could not have come at a better time. With the 2010 FIFA World Cup onour horizon, the increased investment to ensure robust, reliable and affordable ICT infrastructure willbe matched by increased usage of ICT by government facilitated by the Institutional Mechanisms adoptedby Cabinet.

The Institutional Mechanisms of the ISAD Plan is aimed at harmonising efforts at all levels of servicedelivery, from national to provincial and local government. Service delivery is the obligation of all spheresof government and having recognised that ICTs play a pivotal role in the roll-out of services, theInstitutional Mechanisms will serve as a conduit across all three spheres.

This plan, therefore, presents a united front by national government, provincial and local governmentsin the charge towards bui ld ing an inclusive Informat ion Society in South Afr ica.

Dr Ivy Matsepe-CasaburriMinister of Communications

MINISTER'S FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF PNC ON ISAD

South Africa has, since its re-joining of the international community of Nations in 1994, played animportant part in the development of the Global Information Society and shaping its ICT agenda. It istherefore fitting that the ISAD Plan approved by the Cabinet, as the framework within which theInformation Society is developed in South Africa is developed by South Africans themselves. This is alsoin line with the NEPAD principle of “relying on Africa's resources and the resourcefulness of its people”.in the development of continent.

There is no doubt that our country is ow ready to take firm steps of moving from an industrial toknowledge economy. The institutional base has been laid down.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who contributed to our work, the representativesof Directors General of National Departments as well as those Provinces and representatives of SouthAfrican Local Government Association (SALGA).

A special word of appreciation to the governments and colleagues from Mozambique, Malaysia, Irelandand Finland whose work in structures similar to the PNC provided us with interesting insight as wedeveloped our own model.

The ISAD Plan is a proudly South African product, developed by committed cadres of our public servicesupported by the young, energetic, talented and reliable team at the PNC Secretariat with only broadstrategic guidance and very little supervision by the Chairperson. Many of these cadres came from theranks of interns or unemployed youth. There is very little doubt in my mind that they will soon formthe small core of global leaders in the development of an inclusive Information Society.

At the heart of the ISAD Plan is a deep commitment to contribute to improving the lives of the peopleof our country. We are confident that we will succeed in building an inclusive Information Society inour country and accordingly count on everyday as a new opportunity to make a difference in the livesof our people.

Ms Lyndall Shope-MafoleChairperson: PNC on ISAD

ADSL Asynchronous Digital Subscriber LoopAIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency SyndromeASGI-SA Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South AfricaBEE Black Economic EmpowermentBBEE Broad-Based Black Economic EmpowermentCSIR Council Scientific and Industrial ResearchDAC Department of Arts and CultureDEAT Department of Environmental Affairs and TourismDFA Department of Foreign AffairsDG Director GeneralDGDS District Growth Development SummerDHA Department of Home AffairsDOC Department of CommunicationsDOE Department of EducationDOH Department of HealthDOJ Department of JusticeDPE Department of Public EnterpriseDPLG Department of Local GovernmentDPSA Department of Public Service and AdministrationDSD Department of Social DevelopmentDSF Digital Solidarity FundDST Department of Science and TechnologyDTI Department of Trade and IndustryEC Electronic CommunicationsECT Electronic Communications and TransactionFIFA Federation International football AssociationFOSAD Forum of South African Directors-GeneralGCIS Government Communication and Information SystemGDP Gross Domestic ProductGERD Gross Expenditure on Research and DevelopmentGITO Government Information technology OfficeGITOC Government Information Technology Officer’s CouncilGPG Gauteng Provincial GovernmentGERD Gross Expenditure on Research and DevelopmentHEDCOM Heads of Education Department CommitteesHIV Human Immune Deficiency VirusHLT Human Language TechnologyHRD Human resource developmentIBA Independent Broadcasting AuthorityICASA Independent Communications Authority in South AfricaICT Information and Communication TechnologiesICT4D Information Communication technology for DevelopmentIDPs Integrated Development PlanIGRF Inter Governmental Relations ForumIIIT International Institute of Information TechnologyIKS Indigenous Knowledge SystemINSPIRE Provincial Information Society StrategyIP Intellectual Property

Abbreviations

ISAD Information Society and DevelopmentISETT SETA Information Systems Electronics & Telecommunication Technologies Sector Education &

Training AuthorityISP Internet Service ProviderISPAD Information Society Partnership for Africa’s DevelopmentITU International Telecommunications UnionLBSC Local Business Service CentreMDG `s Millennium Development GoalsMIOS Minimum Interoperability StandardsMISS Minimum Information Security StandardsMPCC Multi-Purpose Community CentreMRC Medical Research CouncilNEPAD New Partnership for Africa’s DevelopmentNGN Next Generation NetworksNHIS/NHS National Health Information SystemNHC National Heritage CouncilNSDPS National Spatial Development PerspectiveNWG National Working GroupOECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and DevelopmentOSS Open Source SoftwarePCAS Policy Coordination and Advisory ServicesPCC Presidential Coordinating CouncilPGDS Provincial Growth and Development StrategyPIAC Presidential International Advisory CouncilPISAD Provincial Information Society and DevelopmentPIT Public Information TerminalPNC Presidential National CommissionPNC on ISAD Presidential National Commission on Information Society and DevelopmentPPP Public Private PartnershipR&D Research and DevelopmentSALGA South African Local Government AssociationSARS South African Revenue ServicesSASS South African Social ServicesSATRA South African Telecommunications Regulatory AuthoritySEDA Small Enterprise Development AgencySETA Sector Education Training AuthoritySITA State Information Technology AgencySMME Small, Medium and Micro EnterpriseSNO Second National OperatorSOE State Owned EnterpriseSRN School Register of NeedsTENET Tertiary Education NetworkTHRIP Technology and Human Resources for Industry ProgrammeUN United NationsUSA Universal Services AgencyUSAASA Universal Services and Access Agency of South AfricaUSAL Under Serviced Area LicenseesUSF Universal Service Fund

Abbreviations

Abbreviations

UYF Umsobomvu Youth FundVANS Value Added Network ServicesWSIS World Summit on the Information Society

List of Figures and Tables

Figure 1: Comparative broadband charges Page 20Figure 2: Telecommunications Revenue per Inhabitant Page 20Figure 3: Telecommunication Investment per Capita Page 20

Table 1: Selected Indices on telecommunicationsInfrastructure Access in South Africa Page 26

Table 2: Selected Indices on Computing Infrastructure in South Africa Page 58Table 3:Table 4: Policy and Legislative Measure to

Support e-Government Pages 72-73Table 5: Legislation Related to Local Content Promotion Pages 77

Executive Summary

1. INTRODUCTION 01

2. ORIGINS OF THE ISAD PLAN 01

3. THE INFORMATION SOCIETY 01

4. SOUTH AFRICA AND THE INFORMATION SOCIETY 02

5. THE WORLD AND THE INFORMATION SOCIETY 02

6. INFORMATION SOCIETY VISION FOR SOUTH AFRICA 02

7. CHALLENGES 03

8. MAIN PILLARS OF THE ISAD PLAN 03

9. PRIORITY FOCUS AREAS FOR ICT APPLICATIONS 05

10. PROVINCIAL ISAD MODEL 07

11. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS 07

CHAPTER ONE 10

Towards An Inclusive Information Society for South Africa 10

A National Information Society and Development Plan 10

Introduction and Background 10

1.1 Purpose 10

1.2 Origins of the Plan 10

Final Draft 05/09/06 10

1.3 The Concept of the Information Society 10

1.4 The Process of Developing the ISAD Plan 12

CHAPTER TWO 13

Strategic Framework for South Africa’s Inclusive Information Society 13

2.1 South Africa and the Information Society 13

2.1.1 Government Commitments 13

2.1.2 Millennium Development Goals 13

2.1.3 World Summit on the Information Society 14

2.2 The vision of South Africa ‘s inclusive Information Society 14

2.3 Mission of South Africa’s Inclusive Information Society 14

2.4 The Goals of the ISAD Plan 15

2.5 The Strategic Objectives of the ISAD Plan 15

2.6 Guiding Principles 15

2.6.1 People-centred 15

2.6.2 Inclusive 15

2.6.3 Development-oriented 16

2.7 SA Information Society Challenges 16

2.7.1 Information Society and Economic Competitiveness 16

2.7.2 Information Society and Unemployment 17

2.7.3 Information Society and Social Inclusion 17

2.7.3.1 Social inclusion intent 18

2.7.3.2 Accessibility 18

2.7.3.3 Affordability 19

Table of Contents

2.7.3.4 Digital Inclusion 19

2.7.3.5 Lack of Awareness and Motivation 19

2.7.3.6 Disability 20

2.8 Inclusive Information Society Development in South Africa 20

2.9 Pillars for the Development of a South African Information Society 21

CHARPTER THREE 21

General Pillars for the Development of the South African Information Society 21

General pillars supporting the implementation of the South Africa Information

Society 21

3.1 PILLAR ONE: Policy and Regulatory Environment 21

3.1.1 Key development in the policy and regulatory environment 21

3.1.2 Key challenges 24

3.1.3 Strategic imperatives and actions 25

3.2 PILLAR TWO: ICT Infrastructure and Universal Access 26

3.2.1 Key development in the provision of ICT infrastructure 26



3.2.4 Key developments in providing access to ICT’s 30



3.3 PILLAR THREE: Local Content

3.3.1 Local Content and PNC Priority Areas 33


3.3.3 Strategic Imperatives and Actions 35

3.4 PILLAR FOUR: Digital Inclusion and e-Awareness 35

3.4.1 Youth 35

3.4.2 Women 36

3.4.3 People with Disabilities 36

3.4.4 Children 37

3.4.5 Elderly people 37



3.4.8 e-Awareness 40

3.4.8.1Role players 40

3.4.8.2 Elements of the awareness strategy 40

3.4.8.3 Key development and issues in awareness 40

3.4.8.4 Strategic imperatives and actions 40

3.5 PILLAR FIVE: Human Capital 41

3.5.1 Key development in human capital 41



Table of Contents

3.6 PILLAR SIX: ICT Capacity Development and R&D 44

3.6.1Key development in strengthening ICT capacity and R&D 44


3.7 PILLAR SEVEN: Coordination and Integration 45

3.7.1 Key developments in integration, cooperation and coordination 45

3.7.2 Key Challenges 46


3.8 PILLAR EIGHT: Funding 47

3.8.1 Key developments regarding funding 47

3.8.2 Strategic Imperatives and actions 48

3.9 PILLAR NINE: Institutional Mechanisms 49

3.9.1 Key developments in the establishment of the institutional Mechanism 49


3.9.3 Strategic imperatives actions 52

3.10 PILLAR TEN: Measuring Information Society Development in South Africa 52

3.10.1 Key developments on measuring the Information Society

in South Africa and impact of ICT’s 52


3.10.3 Strategic Imperatives for Action 54

CHARPTER FOUR: 55

Priority Focus Areas for ICT Applications 55

Priority Focus Areas for the application of ICTs 55

4.1 Education, skills development and training 55

4.1.1 Key developments in e-Education 55



4.2 e-Health 59

4.2.1 Key development in Health 59



4.3 ICT AND SMME development 63

4.3.1 Key development in the provision of SMME support 63



4.4 Government Service Delivery 69

4.4.1 Key development in e-Government 69

Table of Contents



4.5 Local Content Development. 76

4.5.1 Key developments in the advancement of local content 76



4.6 e-Documentation 824.6.1. Key Developments in e-Documentation 824.6.2. e-Documentation Initiatives 834.6.3.Key Challenges 844.6.4 Strategic Imperatives and Actions 84

CHAPTER FIVE 86

The provincial information society model 86

5.1 Introduction 86

5.2 Why Provincial government need Provincial model 86

5.3 The process of developing the Provincial ISAD Model 86

5.4 Provincial Information Society and Shared Growth 87

5.5 The KEY role of Provinces and the three focus areas of the Information Societ 87

5.6 What this means for the way that Provincial government set their priorities: 88

5.7 The framework for the Provincial Model 88

5.8 What Provincial government need to do 88

5.9 How a Provincial government ICT department should be organised to do this 89

CHAPTER SIX 90

Conclusions 90

References 91

Legislation 92

Table of Contents

pg 01

Executive Summary1. INTRODUCTION

Like many other governments across the world, theSouth African government recognises InformationCommunications Technologies (ICTs) as essentialtools for development.

The need for a centralised locus of responsibility foroverall co-ordination of government’s ICT strategyand its implementation is widely acknowledged bothin South Africa and internationally.

In an effort to have a more systemic and consistentapproach across different traditionally disparate areasof policymaking and implementation, the Presidentestablished the Presidential National Commission onthe Information Society and Development in his Stateof the Nation Address in 2001.

The Commission, made up of Government, industryand civil society leaders, became operational in 2002and met several times following which somerecommendations were made, among which was theneed for Planning and Foresight, Coordination andIntegration, and Evaluation and Impact Assessmentin the building of the Information Society.

The ISAD Plan and the institutional mechanismstherein are a logical sequence to those recomm-endations.

2. ORIGINS OF THE ISAD PLAN

The ISAD Plan came into being as a result of differentbut related developments in the country and on theinternational front.

In terms of the Electronic Communications andTransactions Act (2001) the Minister of Comm-unications is required to develop a three year e-strategy which would be declared a national priorityby Cabinet.

In its 2002 meeting the Presidential InternationalAdvisory Council (PIAC) on ISAD recommended thatthe country should develop a plan around which allstakeholders would be rallied for the building of anInformation Society and which would be a clarioncall to all to ensure that activities, initiatives, projects

and programmes are aligned, coordinated andintegrated.

The World Summit on Information Society (WSIS), inwhich South Africa participated actively, in both theGeneva and Tunis phase in 2003 and 2005,respectively enjoins countries to develop national e-strategies, to guide the building of the InformationSociety.

Though emanating primarily from these processes,the ISAD Plan is also a response to the developmentchallenges facing the country. These are articulatedin a number of reports, including the Ten Year Reviewreport on the implementation of governmentprogrammes since our democracy was attained.

Amongst these challenges are: high unemployment,minimal economic growth, HIV / Aids and otherdiseases, high illiteracy rate amongst certain racialgroups, high poverty levels, inadequate preservationof cultural heritage and lack of access to finance bythe majority of public in general and Small, Mediumand Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) in particular, state’sinadequate capacity to deliver and lack of criticalskills.

The ISAD Plan is also anchored on the Government’selectoral mandate as reflected in the 2004 Manifesto- A Peoples’ Contract to Create Work and Fight Poverty.

3. THE INFORMATION SOCIETY

The concept of the Information Society implies thatthere is a new way of conceiving contemporary society.It is underpinned by an understanding that thissociety is significantly different from previous socialformations. The concept is framed by a world viewthat regards information and knowledge as centralto the development and emergence of a new form ofsocial organisation in society.Although all humaninteraction is based on the exchange of informationand communication, the emergence of the InformationSociety is fuelled by the rapidly increasing flow ofinformation and knowledge globally, together withexpanding communication processes that aretransforming many societies.

pg 02

4. SOUTH AFRICA AND THE INFORMATION SOCIETY

As a country South Africa has long realised theimportance of ICTs for socio-economic developmentat the highest level of leadership.

a) In 1995 President Nelson Mandela addressed theITU TELECOM-95 in Geneva in which he insistedon the value of information, on the necessity of linking technology to people and on the priority of education and training.

b) Also in 1995 President (then Executive Deputy President) Mbeki addressed the G7 Summit on theInformation Society and invited them to South Africa to discuss the matter within a developmentcontext.

c) In May 1996 South Africa hosted the InformationS o c i e t y a n d D e v e l o p m e n t c o n f e r e n c e .

d) South Africa hosted the Africa TELECOM-98 of the International Telecommunication Union.

e) In 2001 the President established the PresidentialInternational Advisory Council on ISAD and the Presidential National Commission on ISAD.

f) In 2002 the President called for the establishmentof the ICT University

g) In 2005 the President addressed the World Summiton the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis.

5. THE WORLD AND THE INFORMATIONSOCIETY

Because of the importance of the Information andCommunication Technologies, the United Nations,at the recommendation of the InternationalTelecommunication Union, organised the WorldSummit on the Information Society, in Geneva andTunis in 2003 and 2005 respectively.

In the Declaration of Principles of the World Summiton the Information Society, the Heads of States andGovernments envisaged the formation of a ‘people-centred, inclusive and development-or ientedInformation Society, where everyone can create, access,utilise and share information and knowledge, enablingindividuals, communities and people to achieve theirful l potential in promoting their sustainabledevelopment and improving the quality of their life.’

The purpose of the ISAD Plan is two-fold. Firstly, thePlan aims it is to articulate a vision for the type of

Inclusive Information Society that South Africa aspiresto become. Secondly it is to provide a framework thatwill guide all initiatives in the area of building anInclusive Information Society.

6. INFORMATION SOCIETY VISION FORSOUTH AFRICA

“To establish South Africa as an advanced InformationSociety in which Information and Information andCommunication Technology tools are key drivers ofeconomic and societal development.”

The Information Society Vision for South Africa isunderpinned by the national 2014 Vision which isarticulated in the Manifesto: - A people’s Contract toCreate Work and Fight Poverty- which states: ‘Guidedby the Reconstruction and Development Programme(RDP), our vision is to build a society that is trulyunited, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic. Centralto this is a single and integrated economy that benefitsall’.

The Manifesto identifies the following keyobjectives for 2014:

To reduce poverty and unemployment by half

To provide the skills required by the economy

To ensure that all South African are able tofully exercise their constitutional rights andenjoy the full dignity of freedom

To provide a compassionate governmentservice to the people

To achieve a better national health profile andmassively reduce preventable causes of death,including violent crime and road accidents

To significantly reduce the number of seriousand priority crimes and cases awaiting trial

To position South Africa strategically as aneffective force in global relations

pg 03

In pursuit of the Information Society Vision for SouthAfrica, the ISAD plan is to ensure the realization ofthe following strategic goals:

a) Broaden participation and increase the competi-tiveness of our economy;

b) Increase the capacity of Government to deliver onits mandate

c) Celebrate our diversity promote social inclusion and equality;

d) Entrench democracy and respect for human rights.

7. CHALLENGES

In order to translate South Africa’s politicalcommitment to build an Information Society into atangible plan the following factors have to be takeninto account:

a) South Africa is amassed by high levels of unem-ployment and poverty. These challenges stand tobe influenced by the country’s digital divide, i.e.its capability to have access to, and use, moderninformation technologies which enable the development.

b) While government has introduced various interventions attempting to respond to these challenges,the potential role that ICTs can play in addressingthese challenges, thus improving the quality of life of South Africans, has not been fully leveraged.

c) In an endeavour to address poverty and strengthensocial inclusion most of government’s socio-economic initiatives, such as poverty alleviation,social grant administration, education and training,and national healthcare system depend on the availability of a sound national ICT infrastructure.The South African government has identified andis using appropriate ICT applications for social development; however, the coordinated and integ-rated expansion thereof, in different governmentdepartments and across all three spheres of gov-ernment, is a challenge.

d) While government has introduced various interventions, often at great cost, attempting to respondto the use of ICTs to advance development, the lack of a common and shared vision and frameworkthat guides those efforts and initiatives is one ofthe reasons for minimal impact being realised.

8.MAIN PILLARS OF THE ISAD PLAN

The transformation of South Africa from an IndustrialEconomy to an Information-based KnowledgeEconomy will be driven through ten main pillars and5 priority focus areas. The pillars are the key driversidentified as having the greatest potential for impactingpositively on the development of our InclusiveInformation Society. These pillars cut across thesocial and economic realities facing South Africa andact as enablers for the development of the SouthAfrican Information Society:

PILLAR ONE:POLICY AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENTIt is acknowledged that the Policy and Regulatoryenvironment plays a pivotal role in catalysing thesuccess of the Information Society. The South AfricanICT policy and regulatory environment is globallyrecognised as being amongst the best in the world.The strategic imperative in this regard is thereforeto ensure a predictable, investor friendly, progressiveand enabling policy and regulatory environment andstrengthening the capacity of the regulator.

PILLAR TWO: ICT INFRASTRUCTURE & UNIVERSALACCESSThe deployment of a robust, reliable, affordable,accessible and competitive telecommunications andcomputing infrastructure is a core requirement forSouth Africa to benefit from developments in ICTsand the growth of global information networks. Thestrategic imperative in this regard is therefore to pro-vide ubiquitous access to ICT infrastructure and serv-ices at affordable prices thus enabling meaningfulparticipation in the economy and society.

PILLAR THREE: LOCAL CONTENTPolicy exists that provides the broad basis for thedevelopment of culturally relevant and diverse localcontent. Some of the key principles that inform thatpolicy are a focus on nation building, multi-lingualism,diversity and participation.

It further provides for the development of arts, cultureand heritage infrastructure, funding mechanisms,human resource development and the protection ofthe rights of artists.

pg 04

A number of other policy measures have since beenadopted that encourage local content developmentthrough the protection and promotion of local contentin specific areas such as broadcasting local content.

The development of a manufacturing base of ICTproducts constitutes an important part of local contentdevelopment as well as job creation.

The strategic imperative in this regard is thereforeto develop a national content strategy for the country,ensure that the Information Society in the countryreflects the imperative of building a national identitybased on democratic principles, the diverse cultureand multilingualism of the South African society aswell as promote the use of Open Source Software asa platform for supporting locally developed solutions.

PILLAR FOUR: DIGITAL INCLUSION AND E-AWARENESSThe physical existence of infrastructures is essentialbut not sufficient for development of the informationsociety: factors of gender, level of education andliteracy, household income, language, race andethnicity are all critical determinants of ICTsutilization and access, whence the necessity topromote equality of opportunity to citizens, and inparticular to encourage the participation of all in theuse of ICTs. The strategic imperative in this regardis therefore to increase awareness of the benefits of

ICTs to all, especially persons with disability, women,youth, children and including bringing to bear theacceptance of universal design of equipment as criticalto meeting this objective of ensuring that services canbe accessed by all irrespective of their abilities.

PILLAR FIVE: HUMAN CAPITALTo ensure that the majority of the population are notexcluded from the mainstream knowledge economy,due to lack of education or skills, each person shouldhave the opportunity to acquire the necessary skillsand knowledge in order to understand, contributeto, participate actively in, and benefit fully from theInformation Society and Knowledge Economy. Thestrategic imperative in this regard is therefore torestructure education curriculum to address the needsof the knowledge economy as well as to develop theskills necessary for a vibrant and sustainabletechnology sector in general and ICT sector inparticular.

PILLAR SIX: ICT CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT AND R&DCapacity development in this instance refers to thedevelopment of capacity to compete in the knowledgeeconomy of the global Information Society. It involvesthe expansion of information and knowledge resourcesthrough increased research and development,improved cooperation between the business,government and the higher education sector tosupport knowledge-intensive industries. Ultimately,increase in employment from a growing vibrantknowledge-intensive industry that stimulatescompetitive advantage for South Africa in theknowledge economy.The strategic imperative in thisregard is therefore to develop a sustainable, science,technology and research sector and increaseemployment in vibrant and growing knowledge-intensive industries for competitive advantage in theknowledge economy.

PILLAR SEVEN:COORDINATION AND INTEGRATIONOne of the biggest hindrances to the development ofthe Information Society in South Africa is the lackof coordination between different governmentinitiatives resulting in wastage of huge amount ofresources.

“Like all developing countries, we are verykeen to acquire and grasp the technologieswhich enable people and institutions to accessastronomical processing, storage, retrievaland delivery capacities. But we are alsoextremely interested to ensure that we arenot mere importers and consumers of apredetermined content. Rather, we also wantto be producers and exporters and thereforeactive and significant participants in thecreation production and formulation ofcontent, including news, educational andcultural programmes, games, movies, songs,etc”.

Executive Deputy President Thabo Mbekiaddressing the G7 Information Society

Conference in Brussels in1995

pg 05

The strategic imperative in this regard is thereforeto harness efforts of across government structures inall three spheres of government with all stakeholdersto realise Information Society and national developmentobjectives

PILLAR EIGHT: FUNDINGRolling out of ICT infrastructure requires largeinvestments and in most cases governments, becauseof other priorities do not have sufficient resources toaddress the matter by themselves. The strategicimperative in this regard is therefore to ensure thatinvestments by both governments and the privatesector are made so that basic infrastructure is financedadequately.

PILLAR NINE: INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMSA centralised locus of responsibility for the overallcoordination of the implementation of the ISADinitiatives is a prerequisite for enhancing the capacityof Government to work across traditional departmentalboundaries. The strategic imperative in this regardis therefore to adopt greater coordination and strategicsynchronisation across government to ensure thatISAD policies, programmes and initiatives aresequenced and driven in concert towards a sharedoverarching vision through a series of institutionalarrangements that enable planning, alignment andcoordination across government.

PILLAR TEN: MEASUREMENT OF THE INFORMATIONSOCIETY DEVELOPMENT INSOUTH AFRICAA robust evidence base that supports strategic decisionmaking regarding the use of ICTs as an enabler torealise South Africa’s 2014 development goals andInformation Society objectives must be built. Theexistence of data and measurement is a criticalingredient to support strategic decision makingrequired to take the country to a higher trajectory ofgrowth and the Information Society. The strategicimperative in this regard is therefore to develop anindicator system that supports monitoring, evaluationand impact assessment, development planning,budgeting, forecasting and decision making processesregarding the development of the Information Societyin South Africa.

9. PRIORITY FOCUS AREAS FOR ICT APPLICATIONS

The fact that ICTs can, if properly applied, make asignificant difference to the quality, quantity andspeed in service delivery is no longer a matter ofdebate. The challenge arises from the additionalresources incurred if ICTs are to be used, resourcesthat many developing countries do not have inabundance.

Following the recommendation of the PIAC and PNCon ISAD, and, in order to ensure that the differencethat ICTs can make is both visible and measurable,the following were identified as priority focus areasfor ICT application: education, health, SMMEs,government service delivery and local contentdevelopment.

These sectors were identified for having the greatestpotential to -

· make a substantial contribution to South Africa’seconomic growth,

· significantly make an impact on the quality of lifeof the majority of South Africans, especially disadvantaged individuals and communities, and

· build an inclusive Information Society.

EDUCATION, SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ANDTRAININGThe Government recognizes the important role thatICT can play in the development of the economy,society in general and in education, skills developmentand training. It is for this reason that the Departmentof Education has published an e-Education Policythat sets out a framework for the implementation ofa strategy that aims to expand the use of ICTs andimprove the quality of teaching and learning in amanner that prepares our country to compete in theglobal economy.

The main goal of the policy is to ensure that everylearner in both general and further education andtraining will be ICT capable by 2013.

South Africa is also part of the co-initiating countriesof the NEPAD e-schools initiatives which has similarobjectives for the approximately 600 000 schools onthe African continent.

pg 06

The NEPAD e-schools initiative is a partnership withthe private sector and non-government organisationswhich also prioritises health literacy in every one ofits schools through a health point.

In addition, ICTs will be used in South Africa as atool to support distance and lifelong learning, e-learning as well as the elimination of illiteracy.Support will be given to the youth to enable them toplay a leading role in this regard.

Under the leadership of the Departmentof Education,with the participation of the Depa-rtments of Labour, Communications, Health, Science& Technology, Arts & Culture, Public Service andAdministration, Foreign Affairs and National Treasuryas the core departments. The PNC will facilitate act-ivities in support of

· the design and implementation of appropriate funding models for the implementation of the e-education policy and the NEPAD e-schools ini-tiative,

· the allocation of financial and human resources for the coordinated development and implementation of the distance and lifelong learning, e-learning, skills development, training and liter-acy eradication programmes,

· the provision of appropriate and affordable ICT infrastructure, applications and services to meetthe teaching, learning and administration needsof the all the above programmes.

HEALTHA small minority of the population has a high degreeof access to health services and the majority haslimited access or none. It is important to note thatthe majority of the South African population relysolely on public health facilities for health care service.

One of the challenges of government is to provideequitable access, cost effective and quality healthcare delivery for all the citizens irrespective of raceor where they live. ICTs can be an effective tool to beused by the health sector for the purpose of efficientand effective delivery of health care.

Through ICT usage major South African medicalcentres can provide medical expertise and technicalsupport to primary rural health care communities indifferent parts of South Africa across provincial

boundaries.

Although the uptake of ICTs in health is high,especially in areas of health information systems,the challenge is to develop standards and protocolsthat will ensure interoperability of the systems andthe sharing of data and information nationally andinternationally.

Under the leadership of the Departmentof Health with the participation of the Departmentsof Communications, Education, Science & Technologyand Agriculture, the PNC will facilitate activities insupport of ensuring the speedy development of aWhite Paper on e-Health as well as a comprehensiveand integrated National Health Information System(NHIS) which includes standards and protocols toensure interoperability.

ICT AND SMME DEVELOPMENTThe development of the SMME sector has beenprioritised by the South African government as avehicle to create work and fight poverty. SMME’shave an immense potential to resolve the country’sdevelopmental challenges such as unemploymentand the lack of adequate economic growth. The rolethat ICTs can play in the process of developing theSMME sector cannot be overemphasised. Globally,ICTs have fundamentally changed the way productionis organised. To the enterprise owner, ICTs offerflexibility of time and a way out of isolation, accessto knowledge and productive resources and to thelarger global market.

Under the leadership of the Departmentof Trade and Industry and with the participationof the Departments of Communications, Environ-mental Affairs and Tourism, Agriculture, Labour andother Departments, the PNC will facilitate activitiesin support of:

· the growth and development of the ICT SMME sector;

· accelerating the uptake of ICTs as business toolsby SMMEs;

· the growth and development of cooperatives in theICT sector; and;

pg 07

· accelerating the uptake of ICTs as business toolsby cooperatives in various sectors.

GOVERNMENT SERVICE DELIVERYGovernment is faced with many challenges relatedto improving service delivery including increasing thequality of service to citizens. In addition criticalmeasures will have to be adopted to ensure capacityto meet the objectives of:

· Cooperat ion among economic par tners ,

· stronger partnership across a l l sectors,

· improving the system of monitoring and evaluation,

· focusing on economic development in areas witheconomic potential, and

· recruiting and skilling law-enforcement agencies.

Under the leadership of the Departmentof Public Service & Administration, and withthe participation of the Departments of Provincialand Local Government, Home Affairs, Communicat-ions, as well as other relevant Departments, the PNCwill facilitate activities in support of ensuring consist-ent provision of information of opportunities offeredby democracy to the broad public, especially the poor,and the gathering and processing of data on socio-economic activity across the board as well as theprovision of a seamless ICT enabled service deliveryin Government.

LOCAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENTCitizens in developing countries are flooded withideas, values and cultures that are foreign to them.Unless developing countries find ways to match theforeign content there is a real danger that localcultural heritage may be undermined or overwhelmed.

The policy regime in South Africa is informed by thecountry’s Constitution that places a high value onthe country’s diversity in terms of its non-racial,multi-cultural and multi-linguistic character. It is inthis context that South Africa will, in the applicationof ICTs, prioritise local content development to thecreation, promotion and preservation of IndigenousLanguages, Arts, Culture, Heritage and innovationincluding indigenous knowledge.

This prioritisation will also cover the support for thedevelopment and preservation of vibrant indigenousknowledge systems and the application of technologies

that support cultural and linguistic diversity.

Digitisation of the available local content is a criticalstep in the development and preservation of localcontent.

Under the leadership of the Departmentof Arts & Culture and with the participation ofthe Departments of Communications, Science &Technology, Trade & Industry, Environmental Affairsand Tourism, Education, Health, Labour, PublicService & Administration and other relevant Depart-ments, the PNC will facilitate activities in support ofthe development of:

· a comprehensive national programme to ensure the digitisation of the available local content,

· skills for the creation, storage and sharing of information;

· skills to have appropriate software creation, especially open source software (OSS) capability in government; and hardware manufacturing.

10. PROVINCIAL ISAD MODEL

The purpose of the Provincial Information SocietyModel is to provide a guideline to assist provincialgovernments to develop the Provincial component ofthe National ISAD Plan. In order to bring about aninclusive Information Society in our country thatfinds reflection and expression in all the provinces.

Under the leadership of the Department of Provincialand Local Government and with the participation ofthe Departments of Communications and PublicService and Administration, the PNC will, using theInter-Governmental Relations Forum, facilitate thecoordination of initiatives and programmes at thenational, provincial and local spheres of governmentusing available planning tools, to ensure alignmentwith the National Spatial Development Perspectiveto the Provincial Growth Development Strategies andthe Integrated Development Plans with respect to theuse of ICTs for socio-economic development.

11. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

There are currently a wide range of ICT-relatedinitiatives underway by a number of governmentdepartments.

pg 08

What is lacking, however, is (i) an explicit, strategicnational shared vision on building an inclusiveInformation Society; (ii) the institutional means tostrategically co-ordinate the implementation of sucha vision; and (iii) the institutional means to effectivelymonitor, assess and review progress.

International experience from countries leading inthe application of ICTs to daily life and in the buildingof an Information Society, is that the existence ofICT policies and infrastructure by itself does notguarantee a positive outcome. In order for there tobe good progress it is essential to have a well designedinstitutional mechanism that is aligned to the normalstructures of government and is also linked to thehighest office thus facilitating decision-making acrossall of government. This is particularly important giventhat the use by government of these ICTs is anessential catalyst for their uptake and use in the restof society.

The strategic imperative with respect to institutionalmechanisms is the establishment of a governmentstructure as well as country-wide mechanism for thecoordinated development of an inclusive InformationSociety in South Africa.

THE FOSAD ISAD CLUSTER

The Cluster, to be initially Chaired by the DG PCASwith the DGs of Communication and Arts and Cultureas Deputy Chairpersons, will have the followingcomposition:a) The FOSAD MANCO DGs, (DTI, DPE, DoH, DSD,

DPSA, DPLG, SASS, DFA, DoJCD, SS) (10).b) NT, DHA, DoE, DoL, DST, DEAT, GCIS (7).c) Provincial DGs (9).d) SALGA CEO and Deputy CEOs (10).

e) A national representative of the House of Tradit-ional Leaders and one representative per province of the House of traditional leaders (10).

The FOSAD Cluster on ISAD will meet at least once every three months and will be supported technically by the GITO Council.

THE INTER-MINISTERIAL COMMITTEEON ISAD

A special Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by thePresident and deputised by the Minister ofCommunications and comprising the Ministers of theparticipating departments will also be established.It will meet at least twice per annum before theCabinet Makgotla.

The ISAD Inter-Governmental RelationsForum (ISAD IGRF)

The ISAD IGRF, Chaired by the Minister ofCommunications deputised by the Minister of PublicService and Administration will be made up of twoMECs per province, the Chairperson and DeputyChairpersons of SALGA, representatives of the Houseof Traditional Leaders. It will meet at least twice perannum.

The WSIS Multi-StakeholderImplementation Mechanism

In order to take the building of the Information Societybeyond the contours of government there shall be acountry-wide ISAD Mechanism called the WSIS Multi-Stakeholder Implementation Mechanism which shallbe actively engaged in ensuring that we meet SouthAfrica’s commitments to the WSIS as well as reporton the country’s performance in that regard.

In addi t i on to the pure ly economicinterventions, the State has a critical role increating a conducive atmosphere for growthand development as the ultimate manager ofsocietal relations.

2004 Manifesto:A Peoples’ Contract to Create

Work and Fight Poverty

pg 09

MINISTERIAL ISAD COMMITTEEChaired by the Minister of Communications

FOSAD ISAD CLUSTERCo-Chaired by DGs ofCommunications and

Arts & Culture

GITOCouncil

ISAD IGRF

PNC Secretariat ISAD IGRF TechnicalSupport Committee

ISAD National Working Group

Below is the National Institutional Mechanisms for Information Society and Development

FOSAD ISAD ClusterChaired by DGs of DOC and DAC

Government ITOfficers Council

(GITOC)

PNC on ISAD Secretariat

ICT & SMMEsSubcommittee

Chaired bythe DTI

Local ContentSubcommitteeChaired by the

DAC

e-GovernmentSubcommitteeChaired by the

DPSA

e-Document-ation

SubcommitteeChaired by the

DHA

ICT InfrastructureSubcommittee

Chaired by the DoC

e-EducationSubcommitteeChaired by the

DoE

e-HealthSubcommitteeChaired by the

DoH

Research and Deve-lopment (R&D)andInnovation Chaired

by the DST

pg 10

Towards An Inclusive Information Society for South Africa: A National Information Society and Development Plan

CHAPTER ONE:Introduction and Background

1.1 Purpose

The purpose of the Information Society andDevelopment (ISAD) Plan is two-fold. Firstly, the Planaims to articulate a vision for the type of InclusiveInformation Society that South Africa aspires tobecome. The concept of the Information Society willbe defined later in this section. Secondly it is toprovide a roadmap that will guide all initiatives inthe area of building an Inclusive Information Societyand promoting Information and CommunicationT e c h n o l o g i e s f o r D e v e l o p m e n t ( I C T 4 D ) .

The ISAD Plan therefore is South Afr ica ’scomprehensive, overarching framework and roadmapthat would direct efforts, initiatives aimed ataccentuating societal transformation and usheringin a South Africa’s Information Society. The planseeks to set a common agenda and to guide all spheresof Government, business and civil society’s strategicplanning priorities.

1.2 Origins of the Plan

The ISAD Plan came into being as a result of differentbut related developments in the country and on theInternational arena. In its 2002 meeting thePresidential International Advisory Council (PIAC) onISAD recommended that the country should developa plan around which all stakeholders would be ralliedfor the building of an Information Society. This planwas to be a clarion call to all to ensure that allactivities, initiatives, projects and programmes arealigned, coordinated and integrated.

The World Summit on Information Society (WSIS), towhich South Africa actively participated, in both theGeneva phase in 2003 and the Tunis phase in 2005,enjoins countries to develop e-strategies, to guidethe bu i ld ing o f the In format ion Soc ie ty .

Though emanating primarily from these processes,the ISAD Plan is also a response to the developmentchallenges facing the country. These are articulatedin a number of reports, including the Ten Year Reviewreport on the implementation of governmentprogrammes. Amongst these challenges are: highunemployment, minimal economic growth, HIV / Aids

and other diseases, high illiteracy rate amongstcertain racial groups, high poverty levels that areprevalent within our society, inadequate preservationof cultural heritage and lack of access to finance bySMME’s, state’s inadequate capacity to deliver andlack of critical skills.

Whi le government has introduced var iousinterventions attempting to respond to thesechallenges, the potential role that Information andCommunications Technologies (ICTs) like the Internet,radio, television etc, can play in addressing thesechallenges, thus improving the quality of life of SouthAfricans, has not been fully leveraged. One of thereasons often cited for this is the lack of an overallvision and framework that guides the efforts andinitiatives aimed at the use of ICT’s as a means tostrengthen development initiatives and to focus theefforts of all role players. The net effect of this is poorcoordination and integration, thus leading to minimalimpact being realised.

1.3 The Concept of the Information Society

The Concept of the Information Society assumedprominence in 2003 with the holding of the firstphase of the WSIS in Geneva. In this meeting thedeclaration of Principles and the Plan of Action ofthe Information Society were adopted. The secondphase was held in Tunis in December 2005. In thismeeting the Tunis Commitment and the Tunis Agendafor the Information Society were adopted.

The Summit was a meeting of Heads of States andGovernments in which they adopted a vision of theglobal Information Society, as articulated in theGeneva Declaration of Principles.

The WSIS was characterised by its Multi Stakeholdernature. It was historical in that for the first time inthe history of the United Nations, Governments, CivilSociety and Business were all grappling, under thesame roof, with the same issues, further accentuatingthe importance of those issues.


pg 11

In the declaration, the Heads of States andGovernments envisaged the formation of a ‘People-centred, Inclusive and Development-orientedInformation Society, where everyone can create,access, utilise and share information andknowledge, enabling individuals, communitiesand people to achieve their full potential inpromoting their sustainable development andimproving the quality of their life’.

The concept of the Information Society implies thatthere is a new way of conceiving of contemporarysociety. It is underpinned by an understanding thatthis society is significantly different from previoussocial formations. The concept is framed by aworldview that regards information and knowledgeas central to the development and emergence of anew form of social organisation in society. Althoughall human interaction is based on the exchange ofinformation and communication, the emergence ofthe Information Society is fuelled by the rapidlyincreasing flow of information and knowledge globally,together with expanding communication processesthat are transforming many societies.

New forms of creating and diffusing informationthrough digital technologies are driving this processof transformation. Information Societies arecharacterised by an ongoing and increasing capacityto codify, store and transmit information. ICTs playan important role in this process through transferringlarge amounts of data with ever-increasing speed,reach and scale.

The capacity of supporting technologies to store andcommunicate information and knowledge has had aprofound impact on human development. Societiesnow have immediate access to knowledge handeddown from generation to generation over centuries.Access to the increasing stocks of information andknowledge enable us to use knowledge to addresspresent day development challenges. Information andassociated technologies are at the centre of theInformation Society in a way that emphasises:

The Information Society is therefore characterisedby the extent to which sectors of society such asgovernment, business, civil society and communitiesare able to acquire information that enables them toparticipate more meaningfully in society. GlobalDevelopment forums, including WSIS processes(Geneva and Tunis) have acknowledged the role thatICT’s can play in addressing developmental challenges.SA has participated in all the above processes andrealised the need for a national Information Societyvision and a plan to give expression to it .

Representatives of countries met in Tunis in 2005for the second phase of the World Summit on theInformation Society. The main purpose of gatheringwas to reiterate unequivocal support for the Genevadeclaration of principles and plan of action. Thesummit was used by the world as a stepping stoneto eradicate poverty and attain internationally agreeddevelopment goals and objectives. The summit wasalso used as an opportunity to raise awareness ofthe benefits of ICTs.

The summit came up with the Tunis Agenda andTunis Commitment November 2005 document. Inthis document stakeholders further reiterated theircommitment and support to the Geneva Declarationof Principles & Plan of Action and reaffirmed theircommitment to the following principles amongstothers;

• The desire and commitment to building a people-centered, inclusive and development oriented Information Society (Gov, Civil Society and privatesector).

· the importance of information and the creationof knowledge;

· the critical role of ICTs in the production and dissemination of information and the integration of ICTs into all spheres of life;

· the use of communication networks for the distribution of information;

· the importance of information as a strategic resource on which the organisation of the globaleconomy depends; and

· the rapid growth of the information economy.

pg 12


· Governments, civil society & private sector to joinforces and make Millennium Development Goalsa reality.

· The resolution to ensure that everyone benefit from opportunities offered by ICTs.

· The importance of removing barriers to bridging the digital divide.

· The adoption of ICTs by enterprise plays a significant role in economic growth.

· Call for governments to enhance the capacity of SMMEs (potential to create employment).

· Equal access to ICT infrastructure & applications.· Urge governments to use ICTs to create public

systems of information of laws & regulations.· Paying special attention to the needs of margin-

alized and vulnerable groups.· The commitment to women's empowerment.· Paying special attention to the particular needs of

people of developing countries.· The principles of universal and non-discriminatory

access to ICTs for all people.· The Promotion of universal, equitable and

affordable access to ICTs.

To put the Geneva's Plan of Action into motion, theTunis Agenda recommended implementationmechanisms such as:

· Adequate and sustainable investments required to bridge the digital divide that still exists at largescale.

· Formation of the Task Force on Financial Mechan-ism

· Funding strategies in the context of the MillenniumDevelopment Goals.

· Voluntary Digital Solidarity Fund- welcomed as an innovative financial mechanism for National e-strategies.

· Mainstreaming of ICTS for Official Development Assistance.

· Open channels to existing bilateral and multilateraltechnical assistance.

· Country reports to contain a component on ICT for development.

1.4 The Process of Developing theISAD Plan

South Africa hosted the Information Society andDevelopment Conference in 1996, at the behest ofthe then Deputy President of the country. This

conference was held at the Gallagher Estate, Midrand,South Africa on the 13th May 1996. This followed ameeting of the seven most industrialised nations ofthe world (G7) in Brussels. This Ministerial meetingwas meant to give Ministers the opportunity ofdiscussing the means by which to "encourage andpromote the innovation and development of newtechnologies, including, in part icular , theimplementation of open, competitive, and world-wideinformation infrastructures". The following pillars ofthe ISAD Plan, which were first mooted in the G7Ministerial meeting, and are discussed later in thisdocument, were discussed at the conference.

· the regulatory framework and competition policy· the implementation of information infrastructures

and their accessibi l i ty for the c i t izens,· the development of applications e.g. e-Health, e-

Education, e-Government etc.the social, societal, and cultural aspects of the Information Society

The PNC on ISAD and the PIAC on ISAD wereestablished in 2001 by the President in his State ofthe Nation Address. This was done in order to giveeffect to the President’s commitment to promotingthe use of ICT’s to increase the pace and extent ofservice delivery, economic growth and developmentin the country.

The mandate of the PNC is to spearhead thedevelopment of an Inclusive Information Society inSouth Africa. Following the advice of the PIAC for thecountry to develop a National Plan for building anInclusive Information Society, the PNC on ISAD thenhad the responsibility of developing this plan. Theorganisation then adopted a phased approach to thistask.

Following its establishment in 2001, the PNC becameoperational in 2002. It then spent the better part of2003 engaging in consultations within the sector andin Government. These consultations culminated inthe establishment of Provincial Consultative Fora.During these consultations the PNC learnt that thebiggest challenge facing the country in the processof building an Inclusive Information Society is thelack of Planning, Coordination and Evaluation. In2004 the process of developing the ISAD Plan startedin earnest.


pg 13

Having identified the challenges, the PNC establisheda National Working Group (NWG) consisting ofrepresentatives from 16 national governmentdepartments that are mainly dealing with ICT’s orrelated applications, provinces and representativesof the South African Local Government Association(SALGA). The role of the NWG was to oversee theprocess of the development of the ISAD Plan. As partof the consultative process PNC has held severalmeetings with the NWG and with other stakeholdersin government.

CHAPTER TWO:Strategic Framework for South Africa’sInclusive Information Society

2.1 South Africa and the Information SocietyThe growth and development priorities for the countryhave been expressed in Vision 2014 of theGovernment. The goals of this vision are to:

How can the development of an InclusiveInformation Society contribute to realising thesedevelopment goals?

One of the global challenges that a developing countrylike South Africa cannot escape is that of globalisationand the emerging knowledge economy fuelled by theproliferation of ICT’s. An associated challenge to thisis building an inclusive, development orientedInformation Society for which efficient and reliableICT infrastructure and local products are essentialelements.

Other initiatives that can have a demonstrable impacton increasing economic opportunities and lead togrowth are as follows:

2.1.1 Government Commitments

In addition to achieving the national developmentgoals, Government is also committed to making acontribution to international development goalsthrough its participation in various forums. Theseinclude its commitments in terms of the MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs) and the WSIS.

2.1.2 Millennium Development Goals

ICTs are regarded as a generic technology platformand enabler for the achievement of the developmentgoals, within a broad and integrated developmentapproach, rather than simply as a stand-aloneproduction sector and infrastructure.

· “Reduce unemployment by half through new jobs, skills development, assistance to small businesses, opportunities for self-employmentand sustainable community l ivelihoods.

· Reduce poverty by half through economic development, comprehensive social security, land reform and improved household and community assets.

· Provide the skills required by the economy, buildcapacity and provide resources across societyto encourage self-employment with an educationsystem that is geared to productive work, goodcitizenship and a caring society.

· Ensure that all South Africans, including the poor and those at risk - children, the youth, women, the aged, and people with disabilities – are fully able to exercise their constitutionalrights and enjoy the full dignity of freedom.

· Compassionate government service to the people;national, provincial and local public representatives who are accessible; and citizenswho know their rights and insist on fair treatment and efficient service.

· Massively reduce cases of TB, diabetes, malnutrition and maternal deaths, and turnthe tide against HIV and AIDS, and, working with the rest of Southern Africa,

strive to eliminate malaria, and improve servicesto achieve a better national health profile andreduction of preventable causes of death, including violent crime and road accidents.

· Significantly reduce the number of serious andpriority crimes as well as cases awaiting trial,with a society that actively challenges crime and corruption, and with programmes that alsoaddress the social roots of criminality.

· Position South Africa strategically as an effectiveforce in global relations, with a vibrant and balanced trade and other relations with countriesof the South and the North, and in an Africa that is growing, prospering and benefiting all Africans, especially the poor."

pg 14


Target 18 of the MDGs requires governments, incooperation with the private sector, to make availablethe benefits of new technologies, especially informationand communication technologies. The main indicesused to measure the achievement of this target, isthe percentage of the population with telephone lines,number of cellular subscribers, the number ofpersonal computers in use per 100 of the populationand access to radio and television. South Africa hasmade the following progress in this regard:

2.2 The vision of South Africa’sinclusive Information Society

“To establish South Africa as an advancedInformation Society in which Information andInformation and Communication Technology toolsare key drivers of economic and societaldevelopment.”

The Vision for an Inclusive Information Society isone in which the use of ICTs will be harnessed toensure that everyone has fast, reliable and affordableaccess to information and knowledge that will enablethem to participate meaningfully in the communityand economy.

The Vision further aspires to move the country frombeing a consumer of ICT products and services tobeing a major player in the production and innovationof these products and services. The cornerstones ofthis Inclusive Information Society are a vibrant andthriving ICT sector, an enabling policy and regulatoryenvironment, accessible ICT infrastructure andbroadband connectivity, and an appropriately skilledand knowledgeable citizenry.

Achieving the Vision of an Inclusive InformationSociety can make a significant contribution to thecountry’s social transformation and growth anddevelopment objectives.

2.3 Mission of South Africa’s Inclusive Information Society

· the number of mobile and fixed telephone linesubscribers increased from 10,767 million in 2000 to 23,116 million in 2004;

· in 2001 at least 8.6% of households had one computer in good working order as compared to 4% in 1996;

· the number of Internet users for 1,000 inhabitants increased from 42.3 in 1999 to 68.2internet users per 1,000 people in 2002;

· the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has ranked South Africa 18th in terms ofinternet usage;

· 2001 Census indicated that 73,0% of householdspossessed at least one radio; and

· that 53, 8% of households possessed at least one television set.

(South Africa Millennium Development Goals CountryReport, 2005)

2.1.3 World Summit on theInformation Society

South Africa is making every effort towards meetingthe commitments of the WSIS Declaration ofPrinciples, Plan of Action, Tunis Commitment andTunis Agenda for the Information Society to whichthe country is a signatory. The development of thisISAD Plan is in itself keeping with the requirementfor all countries to develop e-strategies for thedevelopment of the Inclusive Information Society.In December 2005, after the Tunis phase of theSummit, the Multi Stakeholder Partnership thatwill lead the implementation of the WSIS outcomeswas launched. In this meeting a proposed structurefor the partnership was presented to thestakeholders. After further consultations, thisstructure is being finalised.

The Mission is to:· broaden participation and increase the compet-

itiveness of our economy;· celebrate our diversity;· promote social inclusion and equality;· entrench democracy and respect for human

rights;· increase the capacity of Government to deliver

on its mandate.


pg 15

2.4 The Goals of the ISAD Plan

2.5 The Strategic Objectives of theISAD Plan

2.6 Guiding PrinciplesThe guiding principles that inform the kind of InclusiveInformation Society for South Africa are based on:

2.6.1 People-centredPeople-centred means that this society has to haveat the centre of all its initiatives the effective andefficient delivery of services to the people. In the caseof South Africa, that delivery is focused on eradicatingpoverty and ensuring that citizens are able to exercisetheir rights according to the constitution.

2.6.2 InclusiveInclusive means that everyone is able to participatein this society, regardless of their race, socio-economicstatus, gender, age or disability. Measures have tobe implemented to ensure that marginalized groupsin society are given special attention. These groupsinclude young people, women and people living withdisabilities. Such groups should not be furthermarginalized through the unaffordable provision ofICT services, and the use of tools that are not user-friendly to people with disabilities, the elderly andchildren.

The Goals of the ISAD Plan are to:· Building an Inclusive Information Society to

ensure that South Africa does not fall further behind the rest of the world as a result of the digital divide;

· Building an Inclusive Information Society to ensure the availability of Information for harnessing cultural diversity, promoting nationbuilding and improving the quality of life for allcitizens.

Develop the marketconditions, infrastructureand supporting legal andregulatory frameworks thatare most conducive tosustainable ICT development.

Build awareness and reducebarriers to the use of ICT bygovernment, citizens andbusinesses.

Increase Internet usageamong citizens, businessesand government agenciesthrough targeted governmentpolicies to provide incentivesand support the developmentof local content.

Prioritise initiatives andsecure quick wins to sustainmomentum and support.

Develop strategies aimed atensuring investment in ICTinfrastructure for affordableaccess by all citizens.

Develop a framework for thecoordination, integration andalignment of all initiatives,projects and programmes.

Foster apredictable safeand secureenvironment

Increase readiness

Raise usage

Target early results

PromoteWidespreadavailability of ICTInfrastructure foraffordable access

PromoteCooperation amongall Stakeholders

Promote the development ofthe capacity required formaximum participation in theInformation Society, for bothindividuals and institutions.

Develop appropriate fundingmodels, including PublicPrivate Partnerships, forfunding projects andinitiatives aimed at buildingthe Information Society.

Continuously gauge progress,and refine initiativesaccordingly. To do this wewill develop an indicatorsystem that will lead to thecollation of accurate ICT fordevelopment indicators forplanning purposes.

Promote HumanCapacityDevelopment

Finance theBuilding of theInformationSociety

Reliable, accuratestatistics on theInformationSociety forplanning purposes

pg 16


2.6.3 Development-orientedDevelopment oriented means that all initiatives thatare implemented are aimed at bringing about sustain-able development. This process of development shouldensure that people are able to realise their full poten-tial, and thus become active participants in the econ-omy, earning their own livelihoods.

2.7 SA Information Society ChallengesIn order to translate South Africa’s political commit-ment to build an Inclusive Information Society intoa tangible plan the following factors have to be takeninto account:

2.7.1 Information Society and Economic Competitiveness

The World Economic Forum’s def init ion ofcompetitiveness goes beyond notions of exchangerate of competitiveness, and links the concept toproductivity and innovation. Thus, competitivenessis defined as that collection of factors, policies, andinstitutions which determine the level of prosperitythat can be attained by an economy. However,productivity is also the key driver of the rates ofreturn on investment which, in turn will determinethe aggregate growth rates of the economy.

Economies today are in a phase of transition fromthe industrial to technology era which is relying uponthe production, distribution and use of knowledgeand information. Innovations based on the newinformation and communication technologies generatenew or better product and services and change thestructure of the economy.

According to the World Economic Forum GlobalCompetitiveness Report of 2006, South Africa isranked 45 out of 125 countries and in terms of WorldEconomic Forum’s Global Information TechnologyReport 2005/6 South Africa ranked 37 out of 115countries surveyed.

The World Economic Forum’s Global InformationTechnology Report 2005/6, in its fourth year, assessescountries' readiness to participate in and benefitfrom global developments in (ICT). Variables takeninto account inc lude qual i ty o f technica linfrastructure, government prioritisation andprocurement of ICT, and quality of maths and scienceeducation as well as scientific research institutions

and business schools. Countries are also rankedaccording to affordability of telephone connectionsand Internet access, availabil ity of trainingopportunities for the labour force, and existence ofa well-developed venture capital market. Tunisia in36th place and South Africa in 37th placestrengthened their dominant positions among the 23African countries covered by the report. Mauritiuscame in at 45th overall, while Botswana ranked 56th,followed by Ghana (61), Egypt (63), Morocco (77),Namibia (78), Gambia (88) and Kenya (91). This reportencourages the proactive policies and investmentsby all levels of government, such as encouragingbroadband network infrastructures, the educationand literacy of citizens and ongoing skills training -are all components of the readiness measurement,and play an important role in building the foundationsof a country's productivity.

The World Economic Forum's Global Competitivenessreport emphasized that ICTs would continue toplay a vital role in boosting the efficiency of theincreasingly integrated global economy, enablingcountries to improve resource allocation and boostgrowth prospects.

Based on these and many other research reports andstatistics, it is clear to see that the rapid developmentof technology with the pressure brought about bythe process of globalisation increases investmentsand innovation. In turn, these improve economicefficiency and leads to a further speeding up of thediffusion of technology, which leads to higher growthrates and incomes.

Information technology in particular shortens theproduction cycle for products and services, improvesthe quality and response time and helps formulatenew ways for product promotion and customer service.

Businesses that are successful at effectively combininginformation technology with their total businessstrategy stand a better chance at survival, growthand increase of employment. In the InformationSociety, production of products does not depend ona geographical restriction. People from different partsof the country can access products and services beingrendered through multiple access points ormultimedia services which increase the efficiency ofproduction systems.

Towards An Inclusive Information Society for South Africa: A National Information Society and Development Plan Towards An Inclusive Information Society for South Africa: A National Information Society and Development Plan

pg 17

The effective use of ICTs by enterprises can result ingreater productivity leading to greater competitivenessand thus sustainable economic growth, a preconditionfor poverty reduction. ICTs are expanding thepossibilities of developing economies to participatein international markets. The Internet is dramaticallychanging the way goods and services are produced,delivered, sold and purchased. It leads to an ever-growing number of people and businesses connecteddigitally, ready to participate in and contribute tothe knowledge economy. The use of the Internetempowers weak players in the global economy - suchas small business owners in developing countries byproviding them with information, communication andknowledge they could not access be fore .

Trade in goods and services are expanding becauseof new technologies. Evidence shows that growth inICT goods and services trade has been higher thangrowth in total trade. In addition, ICTs enable tradein other sectors by enhancing market access andbroadening the customer base, facilitating customs,transport and logistics. The use of ICTs is alsoaccompanied by structural changes in productionprocesses. These are often hampered by social conflictresulting from deficient social dialogue. Thereforepolicies must cope with the structural transformationsassociated with such changes. The costs ofdisseminating ICT’s and ensuring an orderlyadjustment of human resources should form part ofany ICT-related policy.

2.7.2 Information Society and Unemployment

South Afr ica faces a ser ious chal lenge ofunemployment. The official unemployment rate standsat 26, 7 per cent and when using the expandeddefinition this figure is as high as 40 per cent.

Though the economy has been creating jobs over thelast decade, these have not matched the number ofnew entrants into the job market, and the net effecthas seen an increase in the unemployment rate overthat period, resulting in many people living in extremepoverty. This historical fact, which among others, iscontributed to by the lack of skills among the majorityof South Africans, particularly those required for aknowledge based economy. The Information Societyhas a role to play in the reduction and eventualeradication of unemployment. Through particular

projects and other interventions that will beundertaken, new opportunities for employment willbe created. While the South African economy hashistorically been based on agriculture, manufacturingand mining, these have progressively played less ofa prominent role in recent years, and the servicessectors have assumed a more prominent role in theeconomy. This is a world wide trend and is set tocontinue, as nations of the world move towardsknowledge based economies. Below are some examplesof the opportunities that come about as a result ofthe effort of building an Inclusive Information Societyin the country.

2.7.3 Information Society and Social Inclusion

Social inclusion is about making sure that all childrenand adults are able to participate as valued, respectedand contributing members of society. It is also aboutsolidarity, individuals, organisations and communitiesfrom diverse backgrounds can come together on thebasis of a common purpose and engage in a discoursethat is aimed at bringing about development andcreating inclusive communities.

· As a result of digital migration of broadcastingservices there will be a need for call centre services offering technical support and information to the public in all South Africanlanguages with the potential for creating new employment opportunities requiring middle level skills.

· Given the expected increase of the number oftelevision channels resulting from digitisationof the signal distribution infrastructure therewill be a need for increased local content. Additional new employment opportunities canbe created through the establishment of localcontent development hubs across the country.

· Animation is one of the fast-growing sectors inthe entertainment industry and presents manyopportunities for job creation, educational programming and general local content development. Animation further provides an additional medium through which the South African story can be told, recorded and kept for posterity. This process will also contributeto social cohesion and the building of a commonSouth African identity.

pg 18


Social inclusion incorporates the need to ensure thatminority groups, people of different nationalities,ethnic and cultural backgrounds, people withdisabilities, the elderly, children and young peopleare recognised as valuable members of the community.It is essential that all people are provided with equalopportunities to participate in the life of their localityand do not suffer from discrimination.

To fully realize the benefits of ICT’s, social inclusionrequires affordable, accessible and reliable access,the skills and capacity to effectively utilize ICT’s,education and ICT literacy and appropriate contentin accessible languages and the means to participatein dec is ion-making and po l icy processes .

2.7.3.1 Social inclusion intentThe WSIS preparatory meeting held in July 2002 inGeneva proposed a vision of the information societywith special reference to social inclusion focusing onthe following:

· Opening gates:Freedom of expression and of the media.Meeting the needs of the developing world.Access to information/ knowledge.

· Developing a framework:· The roles of government, the private sector

and civil society in shaping the information society.

· Intellectual property (for economic competitiveness).

· Data protection, privacy and network security.· Access:

Building the infrastructure;· The role of telecommunications, investment

and technology.· Bridges between digital media, radio, television,

press and internet.· Wireless technologies.

The needs of the user:· Consumer p r o t e c t i on and p r i v a cy .· The gender perspective.· Affordability.

The Tunis Commitment also recognises that a genderdivide exists as part of the digital divide in society.It recognises also the role of ICT’s in the protectionof children’s rights and reaffirms a commitment toempower young people as key contributors to building

an inclusive information society. All these demonstratethe seriousness with which the issue of inclusivitywas dealt with at the level of WSIS.

South Africa has made great strides in all these areas.The freedom of expression and the media freedomare both rights that are entrenched in the constitutionof the country. This ISAD Plan is the frameworkthrough which the country will shape the buildingof an Inclusive Information Society and the countryhas taken major steps to provide its citizens withaccess to information and knowledge, and access toICT infrastructure. A Universal Service and AccessAgency of South Africa (USAASA) was establishedwith a clear mandate of ensuring universal serviceand access to ICT infrastructure by the citizens.

2.7.3.2 AccessibilityICT and on-line services have a wide potential forbreaking down traditional barriers which exclude themost disadvantaged in our society. New technologiescan serve to distribute knowledge more creativelyand more equally. They allow faster and easier accessto public services.Improving access to and uptake of ICTs is not an endin itself, but a means of delivering services, conqueringisolation, empowering individuals and bringing peoplewith same needs and interests together. Knowinghow to access and use information is one of the keyskills for employment and involvement in theinformation society.

For example: Telecentres are places that offer publicaccess to the Internet and try to accelerate the processto reach people that do not have resources to buy atelephone line or a personal computer.Facilitatingaccess to the Internet is sought in order to reducethe enormous technological gap of many third-worldcountries USAASA is the statutory body that was setup by an Act of parliament whose mandate is topromote universal access and service. Through theUniversal Service Fund, the USAASA rolls out theseTelecentres in areas that are under serviced. Althoughit has demonstrated some achievements, USAASAfaces challenges of capacity. This manifests in itsinability to spend all the allocated funds, as well asits lack of capacity to monitor and evaluate theTelecentres and the Universal Service Area Licenseesthat it funds.


pg 19

In their recommendations, the PNC recommendedthat the then Telecommunications Act (whoseobjectives have been carried over, and enhanced inthe new Electronic Communications Act) issubstantially sufficient to realise a large part ofGovernment’s objective of Universal Service andAccess and should therefore be implemented fully asa matter of urgency. They further recommended thatUSAASA needs to comply with its statutory mandateand the implementation of which should be linkedto speci f ic t imel ines and be l inked to theimplementation of the national ISAD Plan.

2.7.3.3 AffordabilityOne of the most obvious barriers to inclusion is lackof money. Low income is a fundamental cause ofexclusion, simply because so much social activity isdependent upon our ability to pay. Poverty increasespeople's vulnerability to poor health, poor housingand exclusion from a wide range of everyday activitiesand services that many of us take for granted. Asalready mentioned, South Africa has a bigunemployment problem, resulting in many peopleliving in poverty, while many of those who do havejobs do only earn enough to afford the basic necessitiesin life, and ICTs are typically not perceived as beingpart of those necessities.Ironically however, Information and CommunicationTechnologies have a greater role to play in giving‘voice’ to the poor. A major fight against poverty, inthe process of the development in which poorcommunities and families can participate on asustained basis is of the proper use of ICTs. In povertyalleviation, ICT would likely affect the quantity andquality of various information that matter to the poor.

The challenges faced by the country as a result ofthis are to lower the cost of communication, increasinguniversal access including access to broadband,modernising broadcasting signal distributioninfrastructure and the development of local contentas well as effecting targeted interventions to addressthe challenges of the second economy.

Lowering the cost of communications makes the costof doing business in the country lower, subsequentlyincreasing the country’s economic competitiveness.The interventions required to achieve this also createopportunities for private sector investment with itsassociated benefits of increasing human capital

formation, infrastructure improvement and researchand development. Investments in the area of fibreoptic broadband, for example, is crucial to provideaffordable access to broadband that can make asignificant contribution to accelerating economicgrowth.

Probably the most significant barrier facing excludedgroups is the capital cost of acquiring a connectedcomputer. Even when the equipment has beenpurchased, the on-going costs of maintenance,training, technical support and connection chargesmay not be affordable.

2.7.3.4 Digital InclusionDigital divide is an uneven distribution of ICTs, andtrends in ICT use. Real disparities in access and useof information and communications technologies existbetween countries and socio-economic groups. Digitalinclusion is also about skills necessary to operatetechnology and with information and skills necessaryto communicate and collaborate with other peopleover the network in order to make sense of the worldaround and possess the knowledge generated in theprocess.

Digital inclusion aims to prevent the risks of 'digitalexclusion', that is to ensure that disadvantaged peopleare not left behind and to avoid new forms of exclusiondue to lack of digital literacy or of Internet access.

At the same time Digital Inclusion also means tappingnew 'digital opportunities' for the inclusion of sociallydisadvantaged people and less-favoured areas. TheInformation Society has the potential to distributemore equally knowledge resources and to offer newjob opportunities, also by overcoming the traditionalbarriers to mobility and geographic distance.

2.7.3.5 Lack of Awareness and MotivationMany marginalized groups are unaware of the benefitsand opportunities afforded by ICTs in the informationsociety and thus not interested in acquiring necessaryskills. For groups struggling to meet basic needs (e.g.transport, housing) access to the information societyis unlikely to be a high priority. It is therefore vitalthat ICTs be seen as a tool in the struggle for inclusion.Applied in this way, marginalized groups becomemotivated to acquire ICT skills and use them toimprove their situation.

pg 20


2.7.3.6 DisabilityGroups excluded by disabilities experience barriersto inclusion particularly the high costs of acquiringand maintaining appropriate assertive technology,training and technical support. These groups arefirmly of the view that the cause of their exclusionis not their physical impairments but a failure toconsider their needs when the systems are firstdesigned. To ensure that people with disabilities arenot left out in this Information Society, we need topromote Universal Design of ICT’s. It refers to adesign of products or technology that is usable byas many people as possible regardless of age, andability. Universal design further refers to assistivetechnology that provides accessibility for people withdisabilities so as for them not to use separatetechnology that is stigmatising them. It emphasizesthe importance of how things look. However it isimportant to note that universal design covers abroad spectrum not only people with disabilities butalso elderly, illiterate and young. When designingICTs, South Africa needs to consider principles ofuniversal design which include:

· Equitable Use. The design is useful and marketableto people with diverse abilities.

· Flexibility in Use. The design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities.

· Simple and Intuitive. Use of the design is easy tounderstand, regardless of the user's experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concent- ration level.

· Perceptible Information. The design communicatesnecessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user's sensory abilities.

· Tolerance for Error. The design minimizes hazardsand the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.

· Low Physical Effort. The design can be used efficiently and comfortably, and with a minimumof fatigue.

· Size and Space for Approach and Use. Appropriatesize and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of the user's body size, posture, or mobility.

2.7 Inclusive Information Society Development in South Africa

Figure1 : Comparative Broadband Tarrifs

A further indication of the interest and developmentin the sector is the rate of investment. Below is acomparative illustration of the revenue per inhabitantand the resultant investment by operators perinhabitant in their networks. These graphs clearlyshow that South Africa lags behind when comparedwith similar countries.

Figure 2:Telecommunication Revenue per Inhabitant

Figure 3:Telecommunication investment per capita

·Broadband Tariffs US $

700

600

300

400

300

200

100

0

Comparit ive Broardband Tarr i fs

Namib

iaKore

a (Rep. o

f)

Poland

Botsw

ana

Moro

cco

South A

fric

a

Turkey

Mautit

us

Mexic

o

Seychel les

600

300

400

300

200

100

0

Namib

iaKore

a (Rep. o

f)

Poland

Botsw

ana

Moro

cco

South A

fric

a

Turkey

Mautit

us

Mexic

o

Seychel les

Figure 2- Telecommunication Revenue per inhab.US$ 2002

TelecommunicationRevenueper inhab.US$ 2002

Figure 3- Telecommunication Revenue per capitaUS$ 2002

Telecomm-unicationRevenue percapita. US$

Turkey

Namib

iaBots

wana

Moro

cco

Poland

Mauri

t ius

Mexic

o

Seychel les

160

140

120

100

80

20

60

40

0

South A

fric

a

Korea (R

ep. of)

Source: ITU Worlk Telecommunications Development Report (2003), ITU, Geneva

Source: ITU Telecommunications Development Report(2006), ITU Geneva


pg 21

2.9 Pillars for the Development of a South African Information Society

The development of a South African InformationSociety needs to be supported by a set of generalpillars and priority focus areas. The priority focusareas are additional and complimentary to the coreenablers identified as pillars and are discussed inmore detail in the next chapter.

The pillars have been identified as strategic leversthat can significantly impact on the pace and extentof development towards the Inclusive InformationSociety for South Africa. There are ten general pillars,or building blocks, that need to be addressedadequately in order to create a supportive environmentfor the realisation of the vision of an InclusiveInformation Society. There are also five priority focusareas that have been targeted for ICT applications.These priority focus areas are:· Education, Skills Development and Training;· Health;· ICT SMME Development;· Government Service Delivery; and· Local Content Development.

The Education and Health sectors are particularlyimportant because of the social challenges faced bythe country. There is also a big drive to promote thegrowth and development of the SMME sector for itspotential contribution to economic growth andemployment.

Due to the importance of governance and local contentissues for the strengthening of democracy, nationbuilding and reconciliation, the PNC on ISADrecommended that these two focus areas be includedas part of the five focus areas that are to receivespecial attention for their potential developmentimpact.

These general pillars and priority focus areas arediscussed in greater detail in chapters three and four.

CHAPTER THREE:General Pillars for the Development ofthe South African Information Society

General pillars supporting the implementation ofthe South African Information Society

Each of the pillars is discussed with specific referenceto the key developments that impact on it and themain challenges that need to be overcome. Based onthese discussions, a series of strategic imperativesare proposed, together with key actions, for eachpillar.

3.1 PILLAR ONE:Policy and Regulatory Environment

3.1.1 Key developments in the policy and regulatory environment

The ICT sector has undergone dramatic changes inthe past few years. Globally the ICT sector is dividedinto three main components that is pol icydevelopment, an independent regulator that providesthe regulatory framework and service providers whooffer services to customers.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 as amended in2001 and the Broadcasting Act of 1999 as amendedin 2001, together with the Independent BroadcastingAct of 1993 are some of the key pieces of legislationtha t gove rn bo th the b roadcas t ing andtelecommunications sector. The amendment to theTelecommunications Act in 2001 brought it in linewith the developments in the sector since 1996 andthe main provisions included the following:

· Managed liberalisation of the telecommunications industry through: (a) theintroduction in 2002 of the Second National Operator (SNO); (b) the award in 2002 of an international and multimedia licence to Sentech;and (c) the introduction in 2005 of at least oneservice-based competitor to Telkom and the SNO.

· Convergence and technological development inthe industry is to be accommodated through allowing Telkom and the SNO to use wireless technology in its operations and the award ofa multimedia licence to Sentech. This licence will allow services such as video-on-demand, pay-per-view and internet over television.

pg 22


After the dawn of democracy the government adopteda process of managed liberalisation for the ICT sector.This has seen the gradual evolution from a sectordominated by a few players to one in which there iscompetition on most of the layers of the sector. Thereremain some challenges however. Below is achronology of the policy developments in the sector.

The Electronic Communications and Transaction(ECT) Act 25 of 2002 was another step taken towardsthe regulating electronic communications andtransactions in furtherance of the informationeconomy and general social prosperity. The Actprovides for the development of a national e-strategy;the promotion of universal access to electroniccommunications and transactions and the use ofelectronic transactions by SMMEs; supports humanresource development; and encourages the use of e-Government services.

The managed liberalisation policy for the sectorprovided the basis for the partial privatisation of 30%of Telkom, the fixed line operator, in 1996 to astrategic equity partner. A further 28% of Telkom’sshares were floated on the stock exchange in 2003.

The September 2004 Ministerial Determinations havealso opened up the market and are expected to havea positive impact on competition. In line with itscommitment to ensure affordable access totelecommunication services, and concerned aboutthe high prices, Government held two Colloquia in2005 in which industry was consulted on possiblestrategies to reduce costs of telecommunications.The Electronic Communications (EC) Act, which wasrecently signed by the President as the law governingthe ICT sector,

· Managed liberalisation of the telecommunications industry through: (a) the introductionin 2002 of the Second National Operator (SNO); (b) the award in 2002 of an international and multimedia licence to Sentech;and (c) the introduction in 2005 of at least oneservice-based competitor to Telkom and the SNO.

· Convergence and technological development inthe industry is to be accommodated through allowing Telkom and the SNO to use wireless technology in its operations and the award ofa multimedia licence to Sentech. This licence will allow services such as video-on-demand, pay-per-view and internet over television.

· Stimulating SMME involvement in the telecommunications industry and increasing teledensity

in South Africa through the introduction of under serviced area licences (USALs) in areaswhere the teledensity is currently below five per cent (5%). In addition, the Universal ServiceFund may be used to assist SMMEs in providingtelecommunications infrastructure and servicein these under serviced areas.

· Assignment of the 1800 MHz radio frequency spectrum and 3G licences to Telkom, Vodacom,MTN and Cell C in an orderly and non-discrimin-atory manner.

· Restructuring of the Universal Service Agencyand increasing the size of the Universal ServiceFund. The mandate of the Universal Service Agency is clarified to include the promotion ofTelecentres, internet in public schools, publicfurther training and education institutions andpublic information terminals, and support forservice counters at MPCCs.

· Introducing an e-rate to stimulate and facilitateinternet usage by public schools and further education and training institutions. The e-ratewill allow public schools a 50% discount on calls to access the internet as well as internetcharges.

· A portion set aside for persons from historicallydisadvantaged groups in major telecommunications licences. In the evaluation of applications for major licences, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) may give preference for up to 30%(or such higher percentage as may be prescribed)

(or such higher percentage as may be prescribed)of the equity held by persons from historicallydisadvantaged groups. In addition, in the awardof licences ICASA must give due regard to app-lications which include women.

· Introducing number portability and carrier pre-selection. The managed liberalisation of the telecommunications industry requires the intro-duction of number portability (in 2005) and carrier pre-selection (in 2005). ICASA will pres-cribe detailed regulations to facilitate this.


pg 23

is also expected to have a positive impact on theeconomy of South Africa. The Act is aimed atpromoting convergence in the broadcasting,b r o a d c a s t i n g s i g n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n a n dtelecommunications sectors and to provide the legalframework for convergence of these sectors. The ECAct repeals the Telecommunications Act of 1996, theIndependent Broadcasting Authority Act of 1993, andlarge sections of the Broadcasting Act of 1999.

In addition, it makes new provision for the regulationof communications and network services; providesfor the granting of new licences and new socialobligations; provides for the control of the radiofrequency spectrum; and makes provision for thecontinued existence of the Universal Service Agency(USA).

Also recently promulgated through parliament, andsigned by the President, was the IndependentCommunications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)Amendment Act, which seeks to strengthen theindustry regulator and lead to better and more efficientregulation of the industry. The amendment specificallydeals with three issues, HR, Finance and theappointment of the Councillors. ICASA was establishedin 2000 after the amalgamation of the IndependentBroadcasting Authority (IBA) and the South AfricanTelecommunications Regulatory Authority (SATRA).ICASA has played a major role in stabilising andgrowing the sector through impartial and fairregulation.

A strategic equity investor for the Second NetworkOperator (SNO) was sought, following the end of theofficial monopoly period of the fixed line incumbent.The other shareholders in the SNO are Transtel andEskom Enterprises, both owned by the state, and aBEE partner Nexus. The SNO was licensed inDecember 2005.The SNO is expected to enter the market and startproviding services towards the end of 2006. Thissituation has effectively meant that hitherto theincumbent continued to enjoy a virtual monopolyover the fixed line market.

This situation has resulted in prices remaining highin the fixed line arena. It is anticipated that the initialfocus of the SNO will be in commercial areas as theyroll out their own network to cover the whole country.

This means that the expected benefits of increasedcompetition for consumers will not materialise in theshort to medium term, but rather in the long term.

Subsequent to that the Minister of Communicationswill soon be announcing further policy determinationsthat are aimed at further liberalising the market andreducing the costs of communications. Since thesedevelopments we have seen some reduction in prices,with the fixed line incumbent announcing a reductionin international tariffs by 28%. The mobile operatorshave also announced packages with lower tariffs.

The Postal Services Amendments Bill is to amendPostal Services Act of 1998, delete certain definitionsand repeal certain sections inline with the IndependentCommunications Authority of South AfricanA m e n d m e n t A c t , 2 0 0 6 a n d E l e c t r o n i cCommunications Act 2005.

According to section 3 the Minister is mandated tomake policies on matters of national policy pertainingto Information and Communication Technology sector. This should be consistent with objects of this Act.Section 4 stipulates that the regulator must exerciseregulatory functions in respect of the reserved andunreserved postal service.The regulator is alsomandated to promote universal access to postal andother essential services. Section 5 further indicatedthat the regulator may only accept and consider anapplication for a licence to provide a reserved postalservice in terms of a policy direction issued by theMinister. According to section 8 the postal companymay carry electronic mail, including the internet andprovide electronic addressees.

General consensus within and outside the sector isthat competition needs to be further stimulated asa matter of urgency to respond to the call to lowerthe cost of doing business in the country ands t r eng then ing economic compe t i t i v eness .

Several opportunit ies exist to increase theparticipation of previously disadvantaged individualsin the sector. With the development of the BlackEconomic Empowerment (BEE) Charter, the ICT sectorcommitted itself to supporting and fostering new andexisting black owned, black empowered and blackengendered SMMEs through the following initiatives:

pg 24


The parties to the development of the Charter alsoundertook to make quantifiable support equal to 5%of eligible procurement spent in black owned, blackempowered and black engendered SMME’s that areexce l l ent and good contr ibutors to BEE.

3.1.2 Key challenges Achieving policy coherence

An integrated ICT policy framework for the countryis yet to be developed, although sectoral policies suchas e -Educat ion do ex i s t . The E lec t ron icCommunications Act is aimed at achieving this,among other objectives. The implementation thereofwill thus have to be monitored vigorously to ensurethat its stated objectives are met. Until this frameworkexists, ICT policy will be uncoordinated, ad hoc andoften undermined by duplication.

Effective Implementation of Current PoliciesThough there are still areas that need improvementsin the current policies, they are regarded by many,including members of the PIAC, as some of the bestpolicies in the world. The challenge remains theeffective implementation thereof to fully realise allthe objectives of the policies. The ElectronicCommunications Act of 2006 will require stronginstitutions with increased capacity to fully realiseall its objectives.

Protection of digital rightsApart from concerns of security of data, there areissues of confidentiality and integrity associated withthe sharing of information over open networks likethe Internet. This is particularly crucial when datais shared between databases. There is increasedpotential for unauthorised disclosure of informationto third parties.

Patents as barrier to technology transfer

Intellectual property rights and patents on softwareand hardware often slow down the process oftechnology transfer. An Intellectual Property (IP)regime that balances the protection of intellectualproperty rights against the promotion of technologytransfer is needed.

ExternalitiesExternal market forces such as global economicrecessions can have a negative impact on theinvestment climate and can cause the delay ofinvestment related development programmes andprojects.

· incubation with the assistance of institutionsof higher learning in order to develop sustainableenterprises in the sector;

· the introduction of formal and informal entrepreneurship programmes particularly usingavailable resources in order to support educationcampaigns; and

· the provision of skills development, training and mentoring in order to develop managementskills through partnerships and skills transfer.


pg 25

3.1.3 Strategic imperatives and actions

Strategic Imperative: Establishment of a predictable, investor-friendly, progressive and enablingpolicy and regulatory environment

Strategic Actions Target /Outcome Timeframe Responsible

Develop NationalBroadband Policy andStrategy

Undertake regularregulatory impactassessments to identifygrowth constraints atthe policy level;

Ensure that all policiesand regulationssupport informationsharing anddissemination fordevelopment;

An Approved NationalBroadband Strategy

Report on Impact of ICTPolicies on SMME’s,competition, etc.

March 2009 DoC

March 2009 DOC

December 2010 PNC on ISAD

December 2009 DoC

December 2006 DoC

December 2007 PNC on ISAD

Implement measuresaimed at strengtheningthe capacity of theregulator;

Implement measuresaimed atstrengthening thecapacity at the PolicyMaking Level;

Ensure coordinationand Integrationbetween Policy Makerswithin the ICT sectorand others & therelevant implementingAgents

All Policies supportingInformation Sharingand Dissemination

Implementation of thepostal services Act

Promulgation of thepostal services Act

2010 DoC

Implement MultiStakeholder Strategy

Policy DevelopmentStructures fullycapacitated

A Funding Model for theRegulator to ensurecapacity andIndependence

pg 26


3.2 PILLAR TWO:ICT Infrastructure and Universal Access

3.2.1 Key developments in the provision of ICTinfrastructure

The deployment of a robust telecommunications andcomputing infrastructure is a core requirement ifSouth Africans are to benefit from developments inICTs and the growth of global information networkssuch as the Internet. Without adequate and reliableconnections to information networks, both externallyand internally, citizens and businesses in SouthAfrica will be excluded from participating fully in theglobal information revolution.

Connectivity and access to networks can be achievedthrough a variety of technological means includingmobile and fixed wireless applications, fibre opticnetworks, satellite communications, as well asenhanced te lephone and cab le so lut ions .

Investment in the South African ICT sector has beengrowing vibrantly in the recent past. In 1999, SouthAfrica ranked very high on indicators of ICT spending.The country spent US$10, 898 million, ranking ittwenty-third worldwide. South Africa was rankedfourteenth in the world in terms of ICT spending asa percentage of GDP. In 2001, spending on ICT wasestimated at US$9.6 billion - 6.9 percent of thecountry’s Gross National Product (GNP). Investmentin the mobile sector is estimated at R3,7 billion, whileTelkom’s investment for the financial year ending2004, was R3,8 billion.

South Africa has already made considerable progressin establishing the required technology andinfrastructure. Progress has been made in a numberof critical areas of infrastructure this include numberof fixed lines, data services, technological capability,local equipment design, and manufacturingcapabilities. Table 1 and 2 below presents selectedm e a s u r e s o n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h etelecommunications infrastructure in South Africa:

Table : Selected indices on telecomm-unications infrastructure access in SouthAfrica

Table 2 : Selected indices on computinginfrastructure in South Africa

Indicators 1995 2001 2003

ICT infrastructure and access

Total Telephonesubscribers (Teledensity)(per 1 000 people)

Telephone fixed lines(per 1 00) people)

Cost of local call ($ per3 minutes)

Cost of internationalcall ($ per 3 minutes)

Mobile cellularsubscribers(per 1 000 people)

Radios per1 000 people

Television setsper 1 000 people

Broadcasting coverage

Post offices per 10 000

Post Offices on theNetwork

In Largest cities

10 767

101

417

0.06

-

1.4

335

80%

2,440

588

132

13 384

4 962

415

0.07

0.58

1.4

8 322

90%

2,640

820

152

18 641

4 821

-

0.1

0.2

13 797

-

-

2,855

1314

-

(South Africa Millennium Development Goals Country Report, 2005)

Telephone usage charge ($)

Indicators 1995 2001 2003

Computers and the Internet

Personal computers (per100 people)

Installed in schools(thousand)

Internet Serviceprovider charge ($)

27.9

92.8

-

-

68.5

364.7

29.6

033

-

-

-

-

(South Africa Millennium Development GoalsCountry Report, 2005)

Towards An Inclusive Information Society for South Africa: A National Information Society and Development Plan Towards An Inclusive Information Society for South Africa: A National Information Society and Development Plan

pg 27

The opportunity to provide comprehensive connectivityand universa l access to in format ion andcommunication networks is enhanced by a variety ofmodern technologies that support connectivity andaccess. Apart from the options provided by thetraditional telephone networks, connectivity andaccess options are increased by the deployment ofwireless technology (mobile cellular, fixed wireless,satellite), fibre optic networks, and enhanced servicesover copper (such as digital subscriber lines, ISDN)and cable. Deploying a national backbone networkrequires huge investments in equipment as well asconstruction costs.

This is especially the case for rural and remotecommunities where connection points may be widelydispersed. The small subscriber base in rural andremote communities makes it difficult for services tobe provided on a purely commercial basis. Governmentand telecommunications operators must thereforesubsidise infrastructure investment in small, rural,and remote communities if the goal of universalaccess is to be achieved.

In the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative ofSouth Africa (ASGI-SA), Government has alsoidentified ICT infrastructure as a critical componentin accelerating the growth of the economy.

Connection and access to local and global networksare essential for deploying e-applications. By deliveringmore comprehensive connectivity and access, SouthAfrica will be able to benefit more fully from electronicbusiness and electronic government applications.The country already has an extensive broadcastingnetwork, which will also be modernised over the nextfew years, to meet the demands of modern society.The coverage of television services is over seventytwo percent, while that of radio services is over ninetyfive percent. The biggest challenge now facing thecountry with regards to broadcasting is that ofdigitising the broadcasting infrastructure to meet thedemands of the of the economy, and create even moreopportunities for local content development, as wellas make available more spectrum. South Africa’s firsttruly multimedia company, Sentech (PTY) Ltd, whichis a State Owned Enterprise, has already begun theprocess of digitising the broadcasting network. Whilethis was always part of the technology plan of theorganisation, it has been given further impetus by

the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in SouthAfrica.

Government needs to promote ICT infrastructure forbroadband connectivity. Without easy and affordableaccess to broadband the dream of the InformationSociety will not be realised. There are variousinitiatives underway to address this.

In her 2006 budget speech the Minister ofCommunication expressed her intention to issuesome policy determinations. It is expected that thesepolicy determinations will start to address thissituation.

Another initiative that is underway is the Nepad EastAfrica Submarine Cable System (EASSY). Thisinitiative is aimed at building a broadband networkfor the East and Southern Regions of the Africancontinent. This seeks to connect countries in theseregions among themselves and with the rest of theworld. With the challenge of improving access to ICTinfrastructure and making it more affordable, ICTexperts on the content have stated that “the confluenceof a number of key developments - political, economicand technological - render a complete, affordablesolution available for the first time” to the Africancontinent.

Increasing integration of ICT with other technologiessuch as biotechnology and speech recognition systemshas opened up new opportunities for research anddevelopment. For instance integrated circuittechnology is being combined with biotechnology toimprove agricultural production.

Telecommunications infrastructure such as wirelessand satellite earth stations can simultaneously benefitmultiple sectors such as transportation, health,education, and research and development. Forinstance ICT is used in freight management in Centraland Eastern European countries as well as somecountries in the Asia Pacific. Malaysia has used ICTin railway management. India has successfullyundertaken electric power distribution automationprojects in the state of Andhra Pradesh. All theseinitiatives assume that the requisite ICT infrastructureis in place.

pg 28


3.2.2 Key challenges

High technology acquisition, deployment, andaccess costsInequalities and disparities in access to Internet, PC,and f ixed-l ine access st i l l remain a majorconcern.Basic telephone connections in South Africaare still limited, for the most part, to urban areasdespite efforts by Government to promote ruraltelecommunication development programmes. Accessto computer terminals, modems, fax, printers,scanners and other accessories is still inadequateand expensive for most individuals and smallbusinesses.

Interoperability of applications/ scalability andadaptability of new technologiesMany countries lack a well-developed applicationsarchitecture that promotes open systems and relevantcommunications protocol that support interoperabilityover diverse electronic networks. The existence of toomany proprietary networks will increase duplicationof services as well as the cost of deploying andmaintaining such services.

Lack of application software to support newtechnologies

Different standards for ICT devices and applicationsand varying network protocols and equipmentmanufacturing methods make developing applicationsdifficult.


pg 29


Strategic Imperative: Establish ICT infrastructure throughout the country foraffordable access


Promote South Africaas a lucrative ICTinvestmentdestination;

Support policyformulation thatpromotes investment inICT infrastructure;

Support an increase infunding for StateOwned Enterprises(SOEs) and the publicbroadcaster forinvestment in ICTinfrastructure.

An approved ICT strategy

International Roadshowsto promote liberalised SAICT Market

March 2009 Lead Department:Department ofCommunications (DoC)

December 2009 Lead Department: DoC


December 2008 DoC

March 2010

DoC and Sentech

ImplementationWireless broadband

Implementation of theDigitisation of thebroadbandinfrastructure

Increased investmentby ICT SOE’s ininfrastructure by 30%

Broadcasting Networkdigitised

Develop National ICTStrategy;

Strategy for BroadbandImplemented

Wireless BroadbandCoverage increased by50%

March 2010

Sentech

pg 30


3.2.4 Key developments in providing accessto ICT’s

Countries all over the world are grappling withproviding universal access to ICT services to theircitizens. This is particularly so in developing countrieswhere the per capita GDP is low and many peoplelive on less that one dollar per day. Governments inthese countries are faced with many other competingpriorities with limited budgets. The United NationsTechnical Task Team argues that the ubiquitousavailability of ICT’s cannot wait until all these prioritieshave been addressed, as ICTs have the potential tohelp address all other developmental challengesefficiently.

In attempting to redress the imbalances of the pastand ensure that c i t i zens have access totelecommunication services, the country began aprocess of managed liberalisation in 1996 thatrequired the incumbent operator to roll outtelecommunication services to under serviced areasas part of its universal service obligations.

Other strategies have also been employed in thestruggle for affordable universal access. One of theseis the Universal Service Agency (USA), establishedby the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and taskedwith the responsibility of assisting the rolling out ofTelecentres in Multi-Purpose Community Centres(MPCC) where communities can access and utiliseICT’s at affordable rates. The USA is funded from theUniversal Service Fund (USF) to which all operatorsin the sector contribute. The USA has achieved modestsuccess, though many challenges still remain. Oneof their biggest challenges is that of capacity.

Evaluation and Impact Assessment studies done onthe performance and contribution of the MPCC’sindicate that many experience problems includingvandalism, poor business management, lack offunding and under utilisation by the communitiesand others it is intended to benefit. This has resultedin the closure of some MPCCs, notwithstanding theobvious need for their services.

A further strategy employed to increase affordableuniversal access is that of granting Under-servicedArea Licenses (USALs). The licensees are SMMEs thatprovide telecommunication services in areasdesignated

as under-serviced. Under-serviced areas are thosewith a teledensity of less that 5 per cent. Seven ofthese USAL operators have been licensed to date.The Industry Regulator, ICASA, has started a processof licensing more USALs. Even though it is too earlyto measure the success of the USALS, there is aschool of thought that the model is not working.

There is also consensus on the negative impact oftelecommunication prices in South Africa. Policymeasures that promote competition are seen as akey instrument for increasing levels of investmentthat can result in lower costs. One of the majorchallenges facing the country is affordable broadbandconnectivity. Other measures currently underconsideration are the unbundling of the local loopand allowing VANS operators to self-provide theirown telecommunication networks, should they wishto do so.

Another strategy that the country needs to look intoto promote access is that of promoting cooperativesin the ICT sector. There are experiences of successof cooperatives in countries like the USA, Poland,and Argentina. In Argentina, ICT Cooperatives werecreated by community-conscious members to fill infor the State when it was unable to provide telephoneservices in remote areas. These communitycooperatives provide a number of ICT services,including telephone and Internet service, throughdial-up and/or broadband connections, as well asInternet Protocol (IP) telephony, to their targetpopulations at significantly lower costs than the largetraditional firms (Telefónica and Telecom). In addition,they offer free community services, such as courseson ICTs, and free Internet access to public schools,libraries, and public facilities (police stations,hospitals, etc.).

Argentina’s cooperative sector serves more than 2.5 million Argentines, approximately 8% of thecountry's population, with 600,000 telephone lines.The sector Telpin is currently the largesttelecommunications cooperative in Argentina. Polandand the United States have also taken advantage ofthe co-operatives model.


pg 31

The two main successful telecommunicationscooperatives in Poland are WIST and Tyczyn. TheNational Cooperatives Business Association (NCBA)estimates that a total of 21, 820 co-operatives areactive within the US economy. It is estimated thatthe top 29 cooperatives have annual revenue in excessof $1 billion, while the top 100 co-operatives have acombined $117 billion in revenues.The Presidential Growth and Development Summit,held in 2003, endorsed measures to supportcooperatives as part of strategies for job creation inthe South African economy. This should also be usedby the sector to support access. Though worker ownedcooperatives should also be pursued, it is the userowned cooperatives that potentially could contributeto improved access to ICT services, particularly inrural areas. Small providers of services could formthemselves into cooperatives that enjoy economiesof scales when procuring bandwidth and other things,thereby enabling them to offer their services cheaperto the consumers. Many other possibilities accruewith the formation of cooperatives.


Ensuring the Sustainability of the Current AccessStrategiesSustainability is one of the biggest challenges facingsmall operators in the ICT sector, includingTelecentres and USALs. This should be of concern togovernment as these are central to the provision ofservices to people living in under serviced areas.

Studies have been done, some commissioned byUSAASA, to determine the challenges facing theUSALs, and the possible assistance that can beafforded to them. The preliminary results are notpainting a very positive picture. Based on the findings,of such studies, strategies need to be found to supportthese and other similar entities as they are centralto helping the country achieve universal access.

Security of transactionsProblems with developing and maintaining securenetworks slow the adoption and diffusion of network-related applications and services. Reports highlightingthe activities of computer hackers, fraudulent use ofcredit cards, and non-delivery or return of purchasedgoods are discouraging many users from executingonline transactions.

pg 32


3.3 PILLAR THREE: Local Content

Working definition for local content as adopted bythe PNC on ISAD defines local content as “anexpression of a community or inhabitants” locallycreated and adapted information, knowledge andexperience that is relevant to the community’ssituation based on the social, economic, political,cultural and religious needs”. Using this definition,South Africa will prioritise local content developmentto the creation, promotion and preservation ofIndigenous Languages, Arts, Culture, Heritage andinnovation including indigenous knowledge.

The policy regime in South Africa is informed by thecountry’s Constitution that places a high value onthe country’s diversity in terms of its non-racial,multi-cultural and multi-linguistic character. A

progressive policy and legislative framework has beendeveloped to give effect to the requirements of theConstitution.

The White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage of1998 as an overarching policy provides the broadbasis for the development of culturally relevant anddiverse local content. Some of the key principles thatinform the approach set out in the White Paperinclude a focus on nation building, multi-lingualism,diversity and participation. It further provides for thedevelopment of arts , culture and her i tageinfrastructure, funding mechanisms, human resourcedevelopment and the protection of the rights of artists.

Strategic Imperative: Provide access to ICT infrastructure and services at affordableprices for meaningful participation in the economy and society


Promote competitionand support themarket entry of newplayers in the ICTmarket

Reduced barriers to entryfor new entrants

Increase broadbanduse among home users

An approved NationalUniversal Service Policyand Strategy;

Increase the number ofPlayers in the ICTmarket by 30%

December 2009 Lead Department:Department ofCommunications (DoC)




December 2010Increase broadbanduse among SMME’s

Increase broadband useamong home users by20%

Develop NationalUniversal ServicePolicy and Strategy;

Strategy for BroadbandImplemented

Increase broadband useamong SMME’s by 50%

Lead Department: DoC



pg 33

The above mentioned paper is basically addressingthe diverse nature of the country where needs of allSouth Africans should be catered for as members ofsociety. Maintaining a healthy, well functioning societyis important to sustainable development. In thebuilding of information society there must be strongemphasis on social cohesion and national identityparticularly due to historical background of thecountry.

However, there are efforts that have been initiatedby the South African government in the promotionof social cohesion and national identity. The socialcluster is tasked to ensure that these concepts areintegrated into concrete projects. Building alliancesto achieve common goals is one aspect of socialcohesion. These can support the joint effort requiredto care for and protect the environment and can helpto build strong national and local communities.Although these concepts are not necessarily ICTinclined the role that can be played by ICT isenormous.

Building social cohesion helps to create what issometimes called ‘social capital’, the networks andsocial norms that help society to function effectively.South African national identity as defined by WilliamsR (2000) is an identity based on a series ofinterconnected philosophical and conceptualapproaches towards the world. While social cohesioncan promote unity amongst different languages,cultures of the country.

In the context of information society, these conceptscan be applied from content dissemination whereissues of official languages are catered, to broadcastingwhere cultures and heritage of all South Africanpeople are promoted and respected.

A number of other initiatives and programmes havesince been launched to encourage local contentdevelopment. Amongst others are the following:· Investing in culture programme DAC (Department

of Arts and Culture),· IKS Policy 2005 DST and establishment of the

National IKS office (Department of Science and Technology),

· Cultural Industries and Growth Strategy,· Establishment of African Institute of Information

and Communication technologies amongst others

it conducts research on Human Language Tech- nologies (HLT),

· The Department of Arts and Culture is embarkingon HLT in information provision in different gov-ernment Departments,

DAC is looking at the feasibility of digitising archivalmaterial,

· Open Source Software to address local ICT needs,· Batho Portal with 11 South African Languages

with the history, culture and heritage of the peoplewho speak the language written in the specific vernacular,

· Institute for Satellite and Software development amongst others research on Open Source Softwareand software development.

3.3.1 Local Content and PNC Priority AreasThe challenges of development in the country needinnovate and modern ways to address socio-economicchallenges that currently exist and ICTs can play acentral role in that regard. It is however importantto then ensure that content dissemination throughthese technologies is relevant and local. To a largeextent, this means that ICTs need to be conveyors oflocally relevant messages and information. They needto provide opportunities for local people to interactand communicate with each other, expressing theirown ideas, knowledge and culture in their own lang-uages. This should also contribute to socio, economicand political development. It is equally important todemonstrate the cross cutting nature of local contentas far as other sector of the PNC on ISAD areconcerned.

The diversification nature of South African societyrequires that content be developed accordingly. Thereare basic elements that require attention when localcontent is provided in other sectors. Despite the factthat English is recognised as the language ofcommerce and science, it was spoken by only 8, 2%of South Africans at home in 2001, an even lowerpercentage than in 1996 (8, 6%). By contrast, nearlya quarter of the population gave isiZulu as their homelanguage. This is more than for the five least-spokenofficial home languages (Sesotho, Xitsonga, siSwati,Tshivenda and isiNdebele) put together (19%). Thisdemonstrates that African languages are dominantin the country.

pg 34


In these days South African government websitesprovide documents that are relevant for everyday lifeof the citizens from social grants forms, employmentforms, tax returns etc. The provision of governmentinformation to South African citizens has then becomevery critical to the lively hood of the people of thecountry. It is then important that these websites donot further create the digital divide by not providinginformation in English only.

It is a Human Right to have access to informationthat is relevant to your language as this is also upheldby the constitution as the supreme law of the country.e-Government will not be beneficial to South Africancitizens if there are language barriers in accessingthe relevant information. Issues of affordability todownload Government information also comes intoplay as access goes beyond Internet access facilitiesbut whether it is affordable to download documents.

Primary health care has been recognised as onedevelopmental factor to ensure South African citizensreceive proper health care. Provision of healthinformation differs from one province to another aswell in different district to district. How do we thenas a country ensure that we tailor made informationprovision channels to be relevant from differentcommunities from languages, use of familiar concepts,and incorporation of the indigenous knowledgeinformation to the mainstream of health information.

The cost of technology is beyond reach even for peoplethat are perceived to be middle income earners. Thistherefore perpetuates the digital divide in the countrybetween the haves and have not’s. South Africa hasentrepreneurs that are not part of the mainstreamSMME and part of an inclusive Information Societyis to ensure that the use of Information andCommunication Technologies benefits all SouthAfrican entrepreneurs to develop their businesses.Introducing alternative technologies that would reduceto cost of ICT are critical for growth and efficiency ofSMME.

If a country can invest in the development ofindigenous technology that would relate to SouthAfrica’s situation, especially in terms of languages,then all the SMMEs in the country including thosein the informal sector will have access to ICT. The

relevance of local content and education is veryimportant in this country given the history of thecountry. This was also demonstrated in the promotionof culture, heritage and art. (Education curriculumespecially history reflected other heroes which otherSouth African children did not identify with).

It also elevated everything that was western at theexpense of the local history and pride. Areas likeindigenous knowledge were never recognised in theeducation system. In the building of the InformationSociety it is then critical for the education system toreflect the diversity of the country by integrating intothe curriculum South African art, cultures, heritageand our indigenous knowledge.

It is acknowledged that the development of the SouthAfrican local content sector has great potential thatis likely to unlock a number of social and economicopportunities in the promotion of arts, tourism andculture, multilingualism, heritage development,innovation and the production of software andhardware for IKS.

3.3.2 Key ChallengesAmongst others, lack of coordination on local contentinitiatives in the country is the main challenge

3.3.3 Strategic Imperatives and ActionsThe strategic imperative in this regards is thereforethe development of national local content strategyto ensure local content in the country reflectsimperatives of building a national identity based ondemocrat ic pr inciples, diverse culture andmultilingualism of South African society. We shouldalso promote skills for the use of Open Source amongstothers as a platform for supporting locally developedsolutions.


pg 35

3.4 PILLAR FOUR:Digital Inclusion and e-AwarenessIn building the Inclusive Information Society, specialfocus will have to be given to people with specialneeds, lest these are further excluded fromparticipating and the benefits of this InformationSociety. These special groups include children, youngpeople, women, people with disabilities and the elderly:

3.4.1 YouthIt is widely acknowledged that young people are theprimary users of ICT’s globally. According toUmsobomvu Youth Fund youth report of 2005, aswell as Youth ISAD Conferences reports of 2005/2006April, young people in South Africa, especially youngBlack people, are faced with many barriers to effectivesocial and economic participation. The unemploymentrate among young Black people is the highest in thecountry, while the educational attainment rate is thelowest. Special efforts therefore need to be made tofoster the participation of young people, in ICTinitiatives.

3.4.1.1 Key challengesYoung people face the following Key Challenges:

Employment and Unemployment· Unemployment is predominantly a youth problem

(70%) Umsobomvu Youth Fund (U YF) report titledYoung people in SA in 2005.

· Ages 25-29 worst affected by unemployment (Lab-our Force Survey, Sept 2002).

· Only 6% of respondents are self-employed UYF, 2005 Young people in SA in 2005.

· Ages 25-29 worst affected by unemployment UYF2005 report ,Young people in SA in 2005 “Wherewe’re at and where we’re going”

· Relationship between deprivation, marginalisationand unemployment (UN World youth report, 2005

· Increased education improves prospects of accessto economic opportunities – but even the educatedhave challenges finding employment

Health and Well-being· Sexual behavior (HIV/AIDS).· Substance use and abuse.· Suicide.· Crime and violence.· Disability.

Strategic Imperatives:· The strategic imperative in this regards is therefore the development of national local content strategy

to ensure local content in the country reflects imperatives of building a national identity based on democratic principles, diverse culture and multi l ingualism of South African society.

· We should also promote skills for the use of Open Source amongst others as a platform for supportinglocally developed solutions.


Develop a nationalcontent park

Approval of the OSSpolicy by cabinet

Promote use of OSSacross the country

Development of nationalcontent strategy thatcaptures the diversecultural and multilingualidentity of South Africa

Prepare a model for acontent park

2009 Department of Arts andCulturePNC on ISAD

2008 DOCPNC on ISADDepartment of Arts andCulture

2007 DPSAPNC on ISADDoCDTI

Develop a NationalContent Strategy

Investigateopportunities/partnerships for local hardware

Towards An Inclusive Information Society for South Africa: A National Information Society and Development Planpg 36

Education and Skills· Educational opportunities for young people have

expanded massively since 1994.· Education presents opportunities for livelihood

opportunities.· Quality and appropriateness of education presents

challenges for many young people.· Drop-out rates unacceptably high (cost of educ-

ation, safety).· Life skills a core requirement.

Social Integration and Civic Engagement· Voluntarism.· Access to social infrastructure.· Access to information limited to middle class youth.· Religion plays key role in the lives of young people.

ICT’s can play a meaningful role in addressing thesechallenges, both as tools that are used to deal withthe issues, and giving the young people the skillsrequired and the competitive advantage in today’sknowledge economy through exposing them to ICT’s.

3.4.2 WomenWomen face many challenges as a result of the historyof this country. The first of these is unequal accessto education that skews the opportunities and theskill base of women. The second is their ability toown land.Even though legally women may own land, it is oftendifficult for them to get it. In some cases, even thoughwomen do own land, they have no power over how touse it because they are subordinate to their malespouses or relatives.

Women are the most poverty-stricken of all groupsin society. A number of factors contribute to this.The gender division of labour in the household, thelow value accorded to women’s work and the clusteringof women in low paid jobs are among these factors.

The impact of apartheid and gender discriminationhas had negative results for the status of women’shealth. The major causes of female deaths are highblood pressure, pregnancy related complicationscancer of the cervix and other opportunistic diseases.Despite relatively easy access to contraceptives manywomen still have limited control over their sexualityand reproductive lives. Women are more vulnerable

to HIV and AIDS. ICT’s can be used to educate women,especially rural women on their rights, and onmeasures currently available to deal with these healthrelated challenges.

According to the report on measuring poverty in SA,Stats SA or Census 2001, the statistics on gender inthe economy paint a grim and very unequal picturewith very large differences between women and menand between black and white women. Compared tomen, women have low access to paid employment.When they do find paid employment; women typicallyhave lower incomes and less security than men. Mostblack women are found in poorly paid domestic labourand micro enterprises which do not offer job securityand benefits. Although gender discrimination hasbeen removed from labour laws, the legacy of thiswill take a long time to eradicate and thus far allmeasures put in place have not gone very far toachieve equality in women’s participation in the paidlabour force.

All these challenges, coupled with gender biases,often prevent from attaining mobility that enablesthem to improve the quality of their lives andparticipate effectively in social and economicinstitutions in society. ICT’s can be used in variousways to promote the empowerment of women insociety.

One such way is to lobby Governments to do moreto remove discriminatory work and gender specificlegislation and practices relating to ownership anddiscourage the associated traditional customarybarriers. Furthermore, access to and training in ICTsis crucial to the development of women within theeconomy, which can encourage the development ofhome industries and create self-employmentopportunities. This is especially important in thecontext of the familial responsibilities, often bornesolely by women.

3.4.3 People with DisabilitiesDespite the increase in disability grants dispensedby the Government, access to information regardingthese benefits was cited at the SADC disabilityconference held in 2005, as one of the challengesfaced by people with disabilities. The ability to useservices is dependant on whether the person is awareof such services and the requirements.


pg 37

In most cases, people with disabilities are excludedfrom the mainstream of society and experiencedifficulty in accessing fundamental rights. There is,furthermore, a strong relationship between disabilityand poverty. Poverty makes people more vulnerableto disability and disability reinforces and deepenspoverty.Particularly vulnerable are the traditionallydisadvantaged groups in South Africa including,additionally, people with severe mental disabilities,people disabled by violence and war and people withAIDS. Poor people face a greater risk of impairmentor disability. In addition, the birth of a disabled child,or the occurrence of disability in a family, often placesheavy demands on family morale, thrusting it deeperinto poverty.

There are high levels of unemployment amongstpeople with disabilities and this can be attributed toa number of factors:· Low skills levels due to inadequate education;· Discriminatory attitudes and practices by

employers;· Past discriminatory and ineffective labour legis-

lation;· Lack of enabling mechanisms to promote employment opportunities;· Inaccessible public transport;· Inaccessible and unsupportive work environments;· Inadequate and inaccessible provision for vocational

rehabilitation and training;· General ly high leve ls o f unemployment;· The fact that menial labour is often the only option

for poorly skilled job-seekers;· Inadequate access to in format ion , and· Ignorance in society.Infrastructure, for example transport and physicalbuildings, need to be designed in a way that issensitive to the needs of people with disabilities.There are ICT gadgets that are sensitive to the needsof the disabled and these include keyboards and voicerecognition technologies. Focusing efforts onincreasing access to information and appropriateequipment while at home, given the mobilitylimitations, can contribute meaningfully to the qualityof life of people with disabilities.

The concept of universal design, that involves theproduction of ICT equipment that is usable by allpeople to the greatest extent possible, without theneed for adaptation or specialised design, is

increasingly seen as a sound approach to supportaccess ib i l i t y fo r peop le w i th d isab i l i t i es .

3.4.4 ChildrenChildren remain one of the most vulnerable segmentsof the society. In South Africa the most pressingchallenges facing children are poverty, child abuseand violence, HIV/AIDS and a lack of access toservices. The fragmentation of the family unit andthe loss of care givers further exacerbate thesechallenges. Finding innovative ways that encouragethe safe and secure inclusion and participation ofchildren in society is an important step towardobserving and protecting the rights of children. Forexample, initiatives that involves the use andapplication of ICTs in fighting the abuse andexploitation of children over the Internet needs to beexplored as a matter of priority.

3.4.5 Elderly peopleThe dire plight of elderly people as a marginalizedgroup in South African society is increasingly beingacknowledged. In response, Government has draftedthe Older Persons Bill 68 of 2003 to deal with theneeds of the elderly. The Bill seeks to establish aframework aimed at the empowerment and protectionof older persons and the promotion and maintenanceof their status, rights, well-being, safety and security.Initiatives and programmes aimed at promoting theparticipation and promoting the status of older peoplecan benefit from the application of ICTs. Innovationstrategies on the use of available tools such as cellphone technology can make a difference in the livesof older people. Increasing the use of ICTs to makepension payments more convenient and accessibleis a practical example of deploying ICTs to the benefitof the elderly.

3.4.6 Key challengesThe key challenges include:

· Shortage of skills is impacting on the standard ofliving of South Africans.

· Majority of the population is still excluded from the economic mainstream.

· Increase in household income poverty among Africans.


· Lack of access to basic services like electricity, sanitation and telecommunications.

· Income differences based on race and between those at the top and bottom.

· Number of unemployed Africans still higher compared to other racial groupings.

· The most number of computer illiterate people areblacks and females.

· High incidences of racism still exists in public places and some provinces.

· Women are the most affected in terms of lack of access to services, employment, etc.

· Number of people with disability is increasing inthe country.

· Migration has an effect on the social fibre, e.g. increase in households.

· Increase in single and extended households and declining marriage trends.

· Contact with family members is minimal among all racial groups.

· Lack of knowledge within society on institutions promoting human rights e.g. justice system.


pg 39

3.4.7 Strategic imperatives and actionsThe following strategic imperatives have been identifiedto promote social inclusion for development in theInclusive Information Society for South Africa:


Increase awarenesson the relevance ofICT’s and its potentialbenefits to addressingsocial issues

The development andimplementation of anadvocacy campaign thatincreases awareness onthe relevance of ICT’sand its potential benefitsin addressing socialissues

December 2006 Lead Department:Department of SocialDevelopment (DSD)Support Departments:Department of PublicHome Affairs (DHA),DPLG, South AfricanLocal GovernmentAssociation (SALGA),Agencies of SpecialGroups, the Presidency

2008Active participation byall the youth in theYouth ISAD programme

Lead Departments:PNC on ISAD

2009/10

2009/10

2009/10

2009/10

Strategic Imperative:· Ensure access to basic services through ICT’s, particularly among Africans for inclusion.· Address the racial character of the South African society for an inclusive Information Society.· Deve lop In format ion Soc ie ty and deve lopment programmes to the spec ia l groups· Promote Family values and norms via ICT’s for development· Promote knowledge within society on institutions promoting human rights e.g. justice system

Accelerate the need for economic mainstreaming, skills development, economic upliftment, and decreasing household poverty

Active participation ofthe women in theISAD womenProgramme

Active participation ofthe People withdisabilities in the ISAD(PWD) Programme

Active participation ofchildren in the ISADchildren programme

Active participation of older people in theISAD Older Peopleprogramme

Lead Department:PNC on ISADThe Presidency: Office of thestatus of women (OSW)

Lead Department: PNC onISAD The Presidency: Officeof the status of people withdisabilities (OSDP)

Lead Department:PNC on ISADThe Presidency: Office of thestatus of Children(OSC)

Lead Department:PNC on ISADSocial Development


3.4.8 e-Awarenesse-Awareness is a critical element of the ISAD planand should involve critical stakeholders who will bepartners in ensuring that the digital divide in thecountry is narrowed, in wanting to create universalaccess and service across the country. The recentdevelopment of ICT has significantly improved theway we do business, interact, work and learn. Inaddition to issues of affordability and accessibilityof these technologies, the power remains unknown.The e-awareness will aim to address the digital divide.

3.4.8.1 Role playersEstablishment of partnerships between local andnational/provincial government departments andagencies, non-governmental organisations, business,associations, etc. in order to foster e-awareness willbe pursued. The strategy will ensure a well co-coordinated approach across jurisdictions. This willalso allow for increased e-awareness in communities.

3.4.8.2 Elements of the awareness strategyIn an attempt to increase e-awareness the developmentof an awareness program will be a crucial step. Thestrategy will cover issues around South African e-initiatives and their benefits safety, security andprivacy accessibility etc.

3.4.8.3 Key developments and issues in awarenesse-Awareness refers to the levels of e-awareness amongthe citizens about the technological revolution thatis providing the impetus for the creation of the globalInformation Society. Awareness of programmes,projects, and services can result in improvedutilization of ICT, but what remains a major barrieris universal access, social and economies of scale.For this reason, creating a methodical e-awarenessto reflect benefits of ICT adoptions and use, theavailability of services through ICTs as well asawareness of the many different initiatives to promoteICTs as a catalyst for development and improvedservice delivery, is of fundamental importance.

The following modes of platforms and communicationsshould be considered in the process of developingthe ISAD plan and ICT awareness campaign:

3.4.8.4 Strategic imperatives and actionsThe following strategic imperative has been identifiedas critical for increasing the awareness of the benefitsand role of the Inclusive Information Society for SouthAfrica:

· Forums, Meetings, workshops etc.- consultationwith relevant stakeholders to provide them an opportunity to submit their input into the development of the ISAD plan

· Radio – Community, Public and Commercial stations. Public Education campaigns using advertising as a mode of communication. Radiointerviews as part of an educational drive.

· Television – Advertising campaigns in various languages aimed at heightening awareness of an e-inclined future and the benefits of using ICTs. Television interviews as part education drive.

· Print – Advertorial campaigns targeted at broadersociety with messages customised. Print camp-aigns would include in addition to advertorials,advertising and editorial contributions.

· On-line Publications/New Media – Editorial Contributions.

· Information Leaflets/ Brochures – Public infor-mation campaign would see the production of information leaflets and brochures as part of the strategy.


pg 41

3.5 PILLAR FIVE: Human Capital3.5.1 Key developments in human capital

ICTs have played a major role in shaping employmentgrowth in the developed world, especially in theservices sectors. In developing countries considerableimportance is attached to the need to develop thehuman resources for both the production andconsumption of ICT-based products and services(Human Science Research Counci l , 2003) .

Even though the Department of Labour and theDepartment of Education have jointly developed aHuman Resources Development Strategy for SouthAfrica, the shortages of ICT skills are an impedimentfor the sector growth. The overall goals of this strategyare to improve the Human Development Index, toreduce disparities in wealth and poverty and developa more inclusive society, and to improve theinternational confidence and investor perceptions ofthe economy.

This strategy needs to be implemented effectively,and within the context of the Information Society.The strategy is predicated on four pillars, similar to

what this ISAD Plan is articulating. These are GeneralEducation and training as a foundation, the supplyside of skills, the demand side of skills and a nationalsystem of Innovation, research and development.These pillars need to be further elaborated in thecontext of the Information Society.

South Africa faces significant human capitaldevelopment challenges in building the InclusiveInformation Society. One of the key challenges is theshortage of ICT skills in the country. The shortageis often attributed to the mismatch between thesupply of skills and the skills demanded in the labourmarket. The shortage of skills is further aggravatedby a loss of skills to other countries that offer highersalaries and better conditions of employment. Thisphenomenon is referred to as the “brain drain”. Thedemand for ICT professionals continues to outstripthe supply of skills. Another related challenge, whichalso comes about as a result of the shortage of skills,is that of the mobility of skills within the sector.


Increase awarenessof the ISAD planamong ICTstakeholders.

Forums to disseminateinformation aboutISAD plan.

Launching of the ISADPlan

2006/2007

2006/2007

PNC

PNC

2006/2007

2007/2008

2008/2009

Increase awarenessof the benefits ofICTs in theInformation Society

e-awareness strategy

Implementation plan

Monitoring of theimplementationstrategy

PNC and DoC

PNC, DoC and GCIS

PNC and DoC

Strategic Imperative: Increase awareness of the benefits of ICTs inthe Information Society

Develop mediamessages to improvethe image of the ICTsector as a career

e-Awareness StrategyImplemented

March 2007 Lead Department:GCIS


Skilled people are always in demand and the resultis that some institutions, particularly stateinstitutions, which cannot match the salaries paidby the private sector, are always loosing skilled people.The net effect is that their capacity is compromised.

An opportunity that South Africa has, due to itslocation in the time zone, and the fluency with whichmany of its citizens speak English, is that of BusinessProcess Outsourcing. This has also been included asa growth sector in ASGI-SA. This allows companiesfrom mainly Europe and other countries to outsourcesome of their internal operations, to companies here.This sector is one of those typical of the InformationSociety and South Africa should take advantage ofits position. This requires however that we produceyoung men and women with a good command of theEnglish language, and an understanding of ICT’s.

In the Information Society the educational institutionsneed to produce people with the relevant skills andknowledge to participate meaningfully in theInformation Society. The institutions of learning,themselves, need to constantly produce newknowledge and informat ion. This requirestransformation of these institutions from their currentto one that places them at the forefront of intellectualleadership. An Institution dedicated strictly to ICTskills at all levels like the IIIT in India, headed bymany sector player including the Department ofCommunications is the answer to the shortage ofskills in the country.

An institute that is dedicated strictly to ICT skills atall levels, like the Indian Institute for InformationTechnology, is heralded by many sector players,including the Department of Communications, as theanswer to the shortage of ICT skills in the country.The skills development process must be life-long innature. Studies indicate that the extent and qualityof opportunity to interact with ICT in schools is animportant factor that affects the flow of humanresources into post-school training or work in ICT-based field and occupations. Currently the educationand training system is unable to produce the essentialand technical management skills that most employersseek. The School Register of Needs (SRN) survey of2000 reveals that schools that used computers forteaching and learning in 2000 was 12.3 percent andthose that had access to email and internet was 6.9percent. This has a direct link to the quality of ICT

related qualifications produced by universities andtechnikons.

According to the HRD review of 2003, trends over thepast ten years indicate that very few graduates (12% in 1999) obtain postgraduate qualifications andthat has serious implications for the supply of high-level ICT workers. Educational institutions shouldtherefore, provide the appropriate environment forsupporting ICT related career choices and the deliveryof quality education and training that produce peoplewith the relevant skills and know-how to participatemeaningfully in these career choices.

The migration of skilled ICT personnel and otherprofessionals to developed countries for betteropportunities and benefits further complicates thechallenges of skills shortages in South Africa.

Maths and science at schoolAccording to National strategy for Mathematics,Science and Technology language policy matters areimportant in the learning and teaching of Mathematicsand Science. Many studies suggest that more qualifiedand experienced Mathematics and Science educatorsare associated with higher levels of learnerachievement. There is a need to develop strategiesfor attracting, recruiting and selecting learners thathave obtained good marks in Mathematics andScience. It is critical to mobilise broader societyaround the need and urgency to improve participationand performance by historically disadvantagedlearners in senior certificate Mathematics and Science.

Although skilled workers reach the labour force fromvarious sources, the most critical channel is theschooling system. Most ICT related qualificationsrequire that students learn Mathematics and Scienceat school. However, the number of matriculants withsuitable Mathematics and Science has been decreasingin recent years (Kruss, 2002). This reduces the poolof individuals who qualify to undertake ICT relatedfields of study such as engineering. The primarycause is understood to be the scarcity of well-qualifiedscience and Mathematics educators, particularly inschools servicing disadvantaged communities.

Human capital development in the form of trainingplays an important role in the retention of the ICTworkforce.


pg 43

The ICT sector is currently dominated by white malesand as such an opportunity has to be created for theabsorption of blacks and women into high-levelqualifications in these fields.

3.5.2 Key challengesThe brain drainResearch undertaken by PNC on ISAD in 2003; revealthat it is difficult to find skilled ICT workers to meetthe rising demand due to the significant brain drainin technical and entrepreneurial ICT skills thatcon t inues t o haemor rhage the c oun t r y .The research found that the South African tertiarysector is producing world-class information scientistsand computer scientists, but not in enough numbersand not with the range of skill that is seen to berelevant to the private ICT sector.


Some of the recommendations intended to reversethe chronic shortage in skills are:Reduction in taxes for imported ICT books· The provision of scholarships and bursaries for

students registering in ICT related tertiary qualifications.

· The media needs to raise awareness around ICT for Development issues

· The realignment of existing Literacy initiatives· Broad-Based ICT skills development· Creating policies that will allow pension funds to

invest in venture capital for technology firms


Develop advocacyprogrammes toencourage morestudents to take ICTrelated subjects

Identify gaps insupply of ICT skillsand identifyalternative sources

Conduct a study tounderstand the skillsrequirements of theInformation Society

Restructureeducation curriculumto address theserequirements

Strategic Imperative:Develop the skills necessary for a vibrant and sustainable ICT sectorPromote the alignment of the institutions of learning with the needs

of the knowledge economy

December 2008 Lead Department:PNC on ISAD

Advocacy ProgramDeveloped

Strategy on ICT Skillsin line with ASGISA

Report on Skills Audit

New EducationCurriculum Developed

December 2008

December 2008

December 2008

Lead Department:PNC on ISAD


Lead Department:DOE


3.6 PILLAR SIX:ICT Capacity Development and R&D

3.6.1 Key developments in strengthening ICTcapacity and R&DCapacity development in this instance refers to thedevelopment of capacity to compete in the knowledgeeconomy of the global Information Society. Capacitydevelopment involves the expansion of informationand knowledge resources through increased researchand development, improved cooperation between thebusiness, government and the higher education sectorto support knowledge- intensive industr ies.

According to the National Survey for Research andExperimental Development for 2005, the country’sGross Expenditure on Research and Development(GERD) was 0,81% in 2004. Furthermore, the totalnumber of Research and Development (R&D)personnel employed per 1 000 was only 3,9. Thecompetitiveness of the South African economy canonly be increased by the production of high qualityICT products and new services and the required skillsto operate them.

Many countries in the world have made great stridesin the building of their Information Societies as aresult of deliberate strategies to invest in R&D. InFinland R&D resources have increased rapidly in thepast two decades, resulting in benefits for society asa whole. Information society industries tripled theirinvestments in R&D from 1991 to 1999. In terms ofR&D investments, Finland is approaching the topinternational level.

The manufacture of goods characteristic of theinformation society has increased much more rapidlythan other forms of industrial production in the lastfew years, rising by some 37 percent a year, as against11 per cent for all industrial output.

Governments need to identify those industries withintheir economies that are knowledge intensive, anddevise strategies for supporting them and makingsure that they give the country a competitiveadvantage over other nations. This requires anextensive process of economic analysis to identifythese strategic industries and developing andimplementing appropriate measures of support. Closercooperation between business, government and the

higher education sector is particularly important inthis respect.

Under the leadership of the Department of Scienceand Technology, South Africa is finalising thedevelopment of the ICT R&D and Innovation Strategy.The overall purpose of this is to create an enablingframework for the advancement of ICT R&D andInnovation, in a systematic fashion, within the contextof the National R&D strategy.

The following outcomes are intended:

· Achieve global leadership in identified key scientificand technological domains.

· Develop multi-disciplinary technologies, skills andmethodologies to address areas of market neglect,especially to eradicate the Digital Divide.

· An indigenous ICT sector that is developed, growing, innovative and competitive.· The smart proliferation of ICT within other sectors

of the economy.This strategy will go a long way in fostering research, development and innovation within the ICT sector.


pg 45


3.7 PILLAR SEVEN:Coordination and Integration

3.7.1 Key developments in integration, cooperationand coordinationA key characteristic of the Information Society issharing of information and learning among thedifferent stakeholders. In building the InformationSociety stakeholders will have to share informationand knowledge, to enable them to learn together andavoid duplication and wastage.

Building a people-centred Inclusive Information

Society is a joint effort that requires cooperation andpartnership among all stakeholders.

The introduction of the National Planning Frameworkby Government was aimed at enhancing integrationin the areas of strategic policy prioritisation.


Implementation of aNational Researchand Development(R&D) Strategy;

Increase the R&Dspend as apercentage of GDP

Establishment of theFoundation forTechnologicalInnovation

Promote vibrant andgrowing knowledge-intensive industries;

Implement newemploymentsupporting andcreation measuresthat promotesemployment in theseindustries;

Reviewing andUpdating theStrategy

Strategic Imperative:Increase employment in the vibrant and growing knowledge-intensive industries

for competitive advantage in the knowledge economy

December 2008 Lead Department:DST

R&D StrategyeffectivelyImplemented andMonitored

Increase from currentless than 1% to 5%

Regular Reviews andUpdate of the Strategy

EffectiveImplementation andMonitoring of theStrategy

Strategy Adopted forpromoting Knowledge-intensive industries

The FoundationEstablished

March 2010

December 2008

December 2008

December 2009

Annually from 2010

Lead Department:DST

Lead Department:DST

Lead Department:DST

Lead Department:DST

Lead Department:DST


This includes the National Spatial DevelopmentPerspective (NSDP) which seeks to facilitate dialoguebetween and within spheres of Government aboutthe country’s spatial priorities regarding infrastructurei n v e s t m e n t a n d d e v e l o p m e n t s p e n d i n g .Another spatial planning mechanism used byProvinces is the Provincial Growth and DevelopmentStrategies (PDGS) that outlines the developmentpriorities of each Province and indicates the measuresthat will be implemented to achieve these priorities.A further measure includes the introduction ofIntegrated Development Plans (IDPs) to facilitate LocalGovernment planning.

The Cabinet Committee system that “clusters” thework of Ministers, and Departments in relatedfunctional areas and promotes joint work betweenDepartments has also contributed significantly toIntergovernmental cooperation. The Forum of SouthAfrican Directors-General (FOSAD), the PresidentialCoordinating Council (PCC), and the restructuredCabinet Committees have all contributed to betterco-ordination of policy-making and programmeimplementation.

In spite of these positive developments, significantchallenges still remain. Although Government has alarge infrastructure of networks, they are poorlyinterlinked and spread unevenly across its spheres,between departments, and between urban and ruralareas. The consequent lack of structure andfragmentation poses a serious challenge to coherentpolicy formulation and programme implementation.

The development of an Information Society requiresappropriate governance mechanisms and institutionalarrangements among all stakeholders. This willinclude participating in national planning processso that the ISAD Framework is integrated into suchnational planning efforts. The developments anddeliberations at Intergovernmental Relations Forumssuch as the PCC, Premier’s Coordinating Forums,Municipal IDP Forums, Mayors Forums, MINMEC’sand FOSAD will be monitored to gather informationthat can enrich the ISAD process.

Specific measures should be implemented to alignthe Information Society planning process with theIDP, PGDS and NSDP processes. The PresidentialInternational Advisory Council (PIAC) and thePresidential National Commission (PNC) have

identified five key sectors that could make ameaningful difference to the lives of the people andthe economy. Implementation of the work relating tothese areas happens at Departmental level.

Implementation methods and mechanism in eachsector will be defined with the input of the SectorSpecialists and would vary depending on the dynamicsin each sector. Some sectors have done more workthan others and the leadership demonstrated alsovaries across sectors.

3.7.2 Key ChallengesHarmonisation of compliance and reportingrequirements

It is generally acknowledged by officials andpractitioners that there are different planning,programming, reporting and compliance regimes inGovernment and different sectors. These requirementsare often a huge administrative burden that causesconfusion for a l l spheres o f Government .

Alignment of strategic planning processesAlignment of the strategic planning processes of thethree spheres of Government remains a challenge.Consequently it is difficult to cascade nationalpriorities into Provincial and municipal strategicplanning, and to match local developmentopportunities articulated in municipal integratedplans with the resource allocation decisions ofNational and Provincial spheres of Government.

The participation of the local sphere of Governmentin National and Provincial planning processes is adhoc rather than systematic. The result is ProvincesDeveloping Plans (PGDS) that lack the input of LocalGovernment (IDPs) and the same can be said withthe national sphere (NSDP). The participation ofNational and Provincial Departments in municipalIDP processes is limited. A consequence of thisfragmentation is a multiplicity of plans that are notaligned and therefore no effective implementation.

Status of task teams and forumsT h e s t a t u s o f I n t e r d e p a r t m e n t a l a n dIntergovernmental task teams and forums is oftenunclear, particularly in regard to political decisionmaking. The accountabil ity of Department’srepresentatives for joint work is also unclear.


pg 47

Officials will have their own performance contractsthat relate to specific mandates and do not providefor work in joint teams. Consequently, joint workbecomes an additional task rather than a functionof core business, with little or no accountability tothe joint team.


3.8 PILLAR EIGHT: Funding

3.8.1 Key developments regarding funding\Rolling out ICT infrastructure requires largeinvestments and in most cases Governments do nothave sufficient resources to address this matter bythemselves. Innovative ways have to be found to

ensure that the investments in infrastructure thatare required are financed adequately.The challengeof investing in infrastructure is often worsened bythe fact that the roll-out of infrastructure is


Facilitate thedevelopment of ISADCoordination andintegrationframework

Ensure that ISADcontent is includedin governmentplanningframeworks,strategies and plans.(NSDP, PGDS andIDP)

Ensure thatInformation Societyobjectives, in termsof targets areintegrated with theMillenniumDeclaration and2014 vision

Utilise the IGRForums to put ISADon their agenda

Strategic Imperative: Promote cooperation among key role players for acoordinated and the integrated building of the Information Society

2007 Framework forIntegration

Alignment ofgovernment planningframeworks,strategies and plans

Integrateddevelopmentapproach

ISAD integral to IGRForums

2009

2008

2009 PNC on ISAD

PNC on ISAD

PNC on ISADDPLG, Presidencyand SALGA

PNC on ISAD


required in areas inhabited by poor people, andtherefore not commercially profitable. In thesecircumstances the private sector is reluctant to makethe necessary investments since they are not likelyto see returns in their investments. There is aperception that market principles tend to fail thesecommunities and thus require some interventionsby the state to address.

Innovative ways need to be found to address theissues of funding not just the infrastructure required,but all other Information Society related projects.Universal Service Obligations is one such mechanism

used to fund especially infrastructure rollout.Operators licensed to offer services in a particularcountry have conditions imposed on them to roll outservices to areas that are not commercially lucrativeand in so doing, ensure that citizens in those areasare not excluded.

At Public Private Partnerships (PPP) need to bepromoted as a viable model for financing InformationSociety projects. Government departments and thedifferent spheres of government need to explore waysof sharing resources, jointly funding projects andthus avoiding duplication and waste.



Review currentfunding models

Review case studiesfrom other countries

Promote cooperationand resource sharingamong differentstakeholders

Sharing of experiencesbetween provincesand other institutionsinvolved in ICTprojects

Develop a nationalfunding model

Encourage the app-lication of the PublicPrivate Partnership(PPP) model for largeICT infrastructureprojects in line withthe requirements ofthe framework dev-eloped by NationalTreasury;

Strategic Imperative: Develop a funding model for investment in ICT infrastructureand other ICT related projects

December 2009Report on InternationalFunding Model

Full Cooperation betweenstakeholders

Implement ProvincialModel

National Funding Model

PPP Model Developed





Lead Department:National Treasury

December 2009

December 2008

December 2008

December 2009

December 2008



pg 49

3.9 PILLAR NINE: Institutional Mechanisms

3.9.1 Key developments in the establishment ofthe Institutional MechanismsGreater coordination and strategic synchronisationis necessary across government to ensure that ISADpolicies, programmes and initiatives are sequencedand driven in concert towards a shared overarchingvision. A centralised locus of responsibility for theoverall coordination of the implementation of theISAD initiatives is a prerequisite for enhancing thecapacity of Government to work across traditionaldepartmental boundaries.

The ISAD Governance FrameworkA governance framework appropriate for the buildingof an inclusive Information Society is the one thatinvolves as many stakeholders as possible as ICTscut across all facets of our lives. Instead of creatingnew structures it is proposed that we use the alreadyexisting structure in government to oversee the ISADprocess, thereby avoiding duplication.

The proposed ISAD governance framework attemptsto accommodate all the relevant role players. It isfurther proposed that there be two ISAD Committees,one Ministerial and of one of Directors General.

It is proposed that there be a special Committee ofMinisters on the Information Society. Cabinet recentlyapproved a committee of Ministers to oversee thecountry’s preparations towards the second phase ofthe WSIS.

This committee could become the committee ofministries on ISAD. This Inter-Ministerial committeewill be meeting to evaluate the country’s progress.This is a welcome development and it is recommendedthat the Inter-Ministerial Committee should besupported by an interdepartmental committee ofofficials to work as one unit, to ensure seamlessoperations of the Inter-Ministerial Committee. Thework of this committee can provide the basis for theestablishment of the special Committee of Ministerson the Information Society.

The Tunis WSIS outcome recommended theestablishment of Multi Stakeholder partnerships forthe implementation of the WSIS Outcomes. A nationalstrategic approach which acknowledges the roles andincludes the views of all levels of government; the

private sector; academia; civi l society; anddevelopment, cultural and religious organisations iscritically important.

The below PNC on ISAD structure were presented toCabinet in February 2007, fo r approva l :

Government ISAD CommitteeThe Presidential National Commission has adopted5 priority sectors for ICT application. For each ofthese priority sectors, there is a line functiondepartment whose mandate it is to lead the countryin all areas of work within it, including theimplementation of the WSIS outcomes. An exampleis the e-Government Programme driven by theDepartment of Public Service and Administration(DPSA) as the lead department.

MINISTERIAL ISAD COMMITTEEChaired by the Minister of Communications

FOSAD ISAD CLUSTERCo-Chaired by DGs ofCommunications and

Arts & Culture

GITOCouncil

ISAD IGRF

PNC Secretariat ISAD IGRF TechnicalSupport Committee

ISAD National Working Group

FOSAD ISAD ClusterChaired by DGs of DOC and DAC

Government ITOfficers Council

(GITOC)

PNC on ISAD Secretariat

ICT & SMMEsSubcommittee

Chaired bythe DTI

Local ContentSubcommitteeChaired by the

DAC

e-GovernmentSubcommitteeChaired by the

DPSA

e-Document-ation

SubcommitteeChaired by the

DHA

ICT InfrastructureSubcommittee

Chaired by the DoC

e-EducationSubcommitteeChaired by the

DoE

e-HealthSubcommitteeChaired by the

DoH

Research and Deve-lopment (R&D)andInnovation Chaired

by the DST


The same principle applies to the Department ofHealth, whose mandate it is to lead e-Health.

The Information Society building process outlined inthe ISAD Plan is being overseen by the NationalWorking Group (NWG). This is a committee of officialsnominated by the Director Generals at all threespheres of government. At national level the NWGconsists of the following Departments including thePresidency and the Government CommunicationsInformation Services (GCIS):· Agriculture· Arts and Culture;· Communications;· Education;· Foreign Affairs;· Health;· Home Affairs;· Labour;· Minerals and Energy;· Provincial and Local Government;· Public Enterprise;· Public Service and Administration;· Safety and Security;· Science and Technology;· Social Development;· Trade and Industry

Forming part of the NWG is a representative fromeach of the nine provinces and also 9 SALGArepresentatives and one representative from SALGANational office.

The rationale behind the composition of the NWG isthat the process of building an Information Societyneed not be discussed by one sphere of government(national) to the exclusion of the other spheres(Provincial and Local). It should be noted howeverthat once the proposed Multi Stakeholder Partnershipsstructure has been adopted, the NWG will cease toexist.

The PNC on ISAD is charged with the mandate ofproviding leadership on policy formulation andimplementation. The following committees have beenidentified as essential institutional mechanisms forfulfilling its obligations:· Committee of Director Generals comprising Director

Generals from identified Ministries and well as those from the provinces and will be referred to as the Government ISAD Committee;

· Committee of business representatives that includeState Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and referred to as the Business ISAD Committee;

· Committee of Scientific and Research Councils and Academia referred to as the R&D and Academia ISAD Committee; and

· Committee of representatives of civil society andlabour to be referred to as the Civil Society ISADCommittee.

Ministerial ISAD CommitteeIn October 2005, Cabinet established a MinisterialCommittee to oversee the preparations as well as theoutcomes of the World Summit on the InformationSociety (WSIS) that was held in Tunis in November2005. The Committee consists of the followingDepartments:· Department of Communications (Convener);· Department of Arts and Culture;· Department of Education;· Department of Foreign Affairs;· Department of Health;· Department of Public Service and Administration;· Department of Trade and Industry.

As this Ministerial Committee was set up to look atInformation Society related issues, it is proposed thatit accordingly changes to an ISAD MinisterialCommittee. Accordingly the ISAD Committeecomprising of DGs will report to this Committee,which w i l l u l t imate ly repor t to Cab ine t .

FOSAD ISAD ClusterIt is proposed that a forum of South African DirectorsGeneral (FOSAD) ISAD cluster be established as thesixth cluster. Composition of the FOSAD ISAD Clusteris departments in MANCO and these are:

· Economic Investment and Employmentcluster - Trade & Industry and Public Enterprise;

· Governance and Administration Cluster - PublicService & Administration and Provincial and LocalGovernment;

· International Relations Peace and Security C lus te r - Fo r e i gn A f f a i r s and De f ence

· Social cluster- Health and Social Development;

· Security Cluster- Safety & Security and Correctional Services;


pg 51

There are four critical factors in building theInformation Society and these are; Infrastructure,Content, HRD & Skills and the provision ofgovernment services. Accordingly the followingdepartments are proposed to join MANCO as ISADcommittee members:· Communicat ions – ICT in f ras t ruc ture· Education – HRD ;· Labour - Skills Development;· Arts and Culture – Local Content;· Home Affairs – G2C (Birth registration; Marriage;

Death etc)· National Treasury – FundingGiven the international experience, based on theparticipation at ITU and WSIS, it is proposed thatthe Presidency be the Coordinator of the ISADCommittee and Department of Communications tobe the Deputy Coordinator.

The Ministerial ISAD Committee can meet twice ayear, before the January Lekgotla and before the JulyLekgotla, to consider the report of the PNC and todiscuss broad policy and strategic issues related tothe building of the Information Society that will beforwarded to the Cabinet.

In terms of the technical support to the Cluster ISADcommittee, the Government IT Officers (GITOC) isproposed as the structure to support the ClusterISAD Committee. This means the GITO Council willreceive submissions to the Cluster ISAD Committeein order to make their inputs and prepare theirrespective DGs.

PNC on ISADThe Commission’s mandate is to coordinate thebuilding of an inclusive Information Society. Giventhe fact that the Information Society process is amulti stakeholder process, the PNC’s mandate is notconfined to government but covers also the privatesector and civil society.

The PNC is also expected to ensure that the outcomeand recommendations of the Presidential InternationalAdvisory Council on the Information Society andDevelopment (PIAC on ISAD) find their way intoclusters and become part of the government’s streamof work.

ISAD Priority Focus Areas for ICT applicationsIt is proposed that a Steering Committee beestablished for each of the five priority focus areaswith the lead Department chairing it. The SteeringCommittee’s responsibility is to develop a nationalpolicy and strategy for that particular sector. Boththe policy and the strategy should be aligned to theISAD Plan that has been developed by the collective.

3.8.1 Key ChallengesThe implementation of the ISAD Framework willrequire the PNC on ISAD to undertake the four maintasks. These tasks are: planning and oversight;coordination; information dissemination and publicawareness promotion; and monitoring and evaluation.In implementing these tasks, the PNC on ISAD willbe required to adopt a more systematic and consistentapproach across different and traditionally disputedareas of policymaking and implementation.

The integration of Departments horizontally acrossthe Government and vertically with other levels ofgovernment, to provide a common, reliable and securepoint for overall coordination of the implementationof the ISAD Plan, is underway via the ISAD IGRForum. However, the ground work to provide a singlepoint of access and remove legal uncertaintiessurrounding the application and use of new legislation;electronic commerce, digital signatures, certificationauthorities, protection of personal information,electronic documents, innovative access and securityamongst others, has yet to be formally outlined.


3.9.3 Strategic Imperatives and Actions

3.10 PILLAR TEN:Measuring Information Society development in South Africa

3.10.1Key developments on measuring the Information Society in South Africa and impact of ICT’s

Legislative, policy and programmatic interventionsaimed at encouraging the use of ICTs in advancingnational development imperatives have been initiatedacross different Government Departments andAgencies as a contribution towards building aninclusive information society in South African.Unfortunately, the development outcomes, measuresof success of these initiatives and their significancein advancing the development Information Societyare often not clearly defined, documented or capturedin Governments’ monitoring and evaluation systems.It is important that the data and measurementchallenge be addressed given that a critical ingredientto support strategic decision making related to

transporting the country into a higher trajectory ofgrowth and the Information Society, is empirical dataand/or performance information related to theimplementation of policies.

The WSIS Plan of Action (2003) calls on all countriesand regions to develop and set up coherent andinternationally comparable indicator systems andtools to provide statistical information on theInformation Society, with basic indicators and analysisof its key dimensions. The WSIS II meeting held atTunis in 2005 subsequently endorsed a core list ofindicators to measure the Information Society.

Agree on InstitutionalMechanisms

Capture all current ISADinitiatives and projectsacross Government

Capture all current ISADinitiatives and projectsacross the Private andCivil Society Sectors

Promote cooperation andresource sharing amongstrategically alignedinitiatives and projectsdifferent stakeholders

Sharing of experiencesbetween Governmentand other institutionsinvolved

Strategic Imperative: Develop an institutional mechanisms for the overall coordinationof the implementation of ISAD initiatives






Lead Department:InstitutionalMechanisms

Institutionalmechanisms adopted

Report mapping allcurrent initiatives andprojects

Report mapping allcurrent initiatives andprojects

Full Cooperationbetween stakeholders

Institutionalmechanisms operational

March 2007

July 2007

July 2007

December 2007

March 2008


pg 53

The core list constitute of seven (7) dimensions to bemeasured, namely; ICTs in the context of theindividual, household, business, government, health,local content development and education domains.Nation States were urged to develop collectionstrategies to solicit the data, and moreoverinstitutionalise the data in adequately capacitatednational statistical offices. South Africa does not havecomprehensive data bases and data collectionstrategies to ensure the continuous supply of timeseries data regarding preferred global indicators.

Official statistics relating to ICTs impact on theeconomy and households access to ICT ’sinfrastructure exist in the country. However, theavailable data is not comprehensive enough to takeinto account emerging information needs relating toe-readiness, ICT access, use and intensity byhousehold, community, business, and Governmentinstitutions.

Progress made in the development of South Africa’sinformat ion society , the soc ia l , economic,environmental benefits and impact of ICTs are alsonot extensively researched. Where existent, the databases on ICT access, use and impact are developedby different agencies and are fragmented. Most of thedata bases are privately owned, fall outsideGovernment domain and are sold for profit ends.

In keeping with the WSIS Plan of Action (2003) callon all countries to set up Information Societymeasurement systems, the PNC on ISAD has mobilised15 stakeholders in the country to constitute a workingcommittee under the banner “Partnership onMeasuring South Africa’s Information Society andimpact of ICTs”.The Working Committee was established in the year2005 and has successfully developed a frameworkthat maps out a strategic approach to addressing themeasurement challenge for consideration byGovernment Departments and related stakeholders.

The lack of a comprehensive and easily accessibleevidence base negatively affects timeous detection ofservice delivery challenges, thereby impinging on theability of the State to effect corrective action, delivereffectively and efficiently in terms of the ICT fordevelopment agenda. It further hampers strategicpolicy decision making and programme design toleverage ICTs for South Africa’s Information Society

development. International development reportingobligations on ICTs such as reporting requirementson the Millennium Development Goals and progressmade towards the implementation of the WorldSummit on Information Society (WSIS) Plan of Actionare also hampered. Hence, concerted action to addressthe Information Society measurement challenge isparamount.

3.10.2 Key Challenges

Reaching agreement on indicators and measureso n I n f o r m a t i o n S o c i e t y d e v e l o p m e n tThe design, development and implementation of anation-wide indicator and measurement system willrequire agreement on a core set of indicators andmeasures needed to generate the necessary data,among all stakeholders. Stakeholders have divergentviews on what constitutes the Information Societyand have different indicators and measures torepresent their methodological approaches. Extensiveconsultation is required to develop a commonindicators system for the country.

Development of monitoring, evaluationand impact assessment systemsMonitoring, evaluation and impact assessment meth-ods, practices and systems in Government are notyet finalised, moreover, to support the measurementof the development of the Information Society.Government initiatives such as the Government-widemonitoring and evaluation system, GovernmentDelivery Report and the National Statistical Systemare valuable opportunities that need to incorporatethe emerging information need of measuring thedevelopment of the Information Society and the impactof ICTs. These initiatives can also be instrumentalin the institutionalisation of the culture of measure-ment in the country, which is a prerequisite for suc-cessful measurement. The challenge is the incorpo-ration of the emergent Performance information aboutthe ISAD agenda into the mainstream governmentmonitoring and evaluation system.


3.10.3 Strategic Imperatives and Actions

Finalise themeasurement strategy

Develop an indicatorsystem that supportsmonitoring, evaluationand impact assessment,development planning,budgeting, forecastingand decision makingprocesses regarding thedevelopment of theInformation Society inSouth Africa

Promote the integrationof ICT for developmentindicators intomainstream governmentevaluation systems

Develop measurementinstruments to quantifythe contribution of ICTsand impact thereof onSouth Africa’s social andeconomic development

Compile the ICT-for-Development Report thatis to be released onregular intervals, and isaligned to nationaldevelopment planning,review processes andcycles

Strategic Imperative: Develop an institutional mechanisms for the overall coordinationof the implementation of ISAD initiatives


Lead Department:PNC on ISADSupport Departments:DOC, DOE, DOH, DPSA, DST, DTI

Lead Department:DOC & PNC on ISAD

Support Departments:DOE,DOH, DPSA, DST, DTI

Strategic framework toguide the measurementprocesses formulatedand adopted

Identify thematic areasfor assessment

Develop indicator list

Improved availability ofcomprehensive,internationallycomparable statisticsand performancemeasurementinstruments pertainingto the state of e-readiness, use, access,application outcomesand impact of ICTs onSouth Africa’sdevelopment

Increased number ofevaluated InformationSociety and ICT fordevelopmentprogrammes

Development of indices

The development of theICT for Developmentand Information Society Index

Formulation of impactevaluationmethodologies

Publication of e-readiness report

Publication anddocumentation of theSouth AfricanInformation Society andimpact of ICTs ondevelopment

March 2007

October 2007

March 2007

March 2013

March 2013

December 2008

December 2009

November 2008

March 2014

Lead Department:DOC & PNC on ISADSupport Departments:DOE,DOH, DPSA, DST, DTI

Lead Department:DOC & PNC on ISAD

Support Departments:DOE,DOH, DPSA, DST, DTI

Lead Department:DOC & PNC on ISADSupport Departments:DOE,DOH, DPSA, DST, DTI


pg 55

CHAPTER FOUR:Priority Focus Areas for ICT Applications

Priority Focus Areas for the application of ICTsThrough the advise of the Presidential InternationalAdvisory Council on the Information Society andDevelopment (PIAC on ISAD), three priority focusareas for ICT applications were identified i.e. e-Education, e-Health and SMMEs. The PNC on ISADincluded two additional priority focus areas for ICTapplications i.e. e-Government and Local ContentDevelopment.

The specialised sectors have been identified for havingthe potential to make a substantial contribution tothe development of an Inclusive Information Societyfor South Africa. These sectors have been selectedfor the significant impact they are likely to make onthe quality of life and livelihoods of disadvantagedindividuals and communities.

4.1 Education, skills development and training

4.1.1 Key developments in e-EducationThe rapid advances in ICTs and the growth ofinformation intensive services have created a changethat has given rise to a new society based oninformation and knowledge.

The education system of this country therefore, hasan obligation to support the development of a citizenrythat can actively participate in this new society anddeliver on public expectations of delivering qualityeducat ion for economic growth and socialdevelopment.

The School Register of Needs Survey of 2000 reportsthat considerable challenges lay ahead in the provisionof essential infrastructure to support ICT access. Todate, the backlog in infrastructure in terms ofclassrooms, electricity and connectivity still prevailsin the country.

The incorporation of ICTs into education is lackingin terms of both inclusion in the current curriculumand access to computers and the Internet. In 2000,the percentage of schools with e-mail access wasmerely 6%. The analysis of the Education ManagementInformation Systems (EMIS) of 2002 indicates thatabout 44% of schools in the country have computers

and more that 26% use computers for teaching andlearning.

The Government recognises the important role thatICT can play in the development of the economy,society in general and in education and training. Itis for that reason the Department of Education haspublished an e-Education Policy that sets out aframework for the implementation of a strategy thataims to expand the use of ICTs and improve thequality of teaching and learning in order to competein the global economy.

The main goal of the policy is to ensure that everylearner in general and further education and trainingwill be ICT capable by 2013. In addition to that, animplementation plan was developed to give guidanceon how to implement the nat ional pol icy.

Provincial Departments have developed businessplans which include roll-out strategies and fundingmechanisms for ICT implementation. There is however,still a great need for aggressive intervention inassisting the provinces to ensure that the nationalimplementation plan targets are met.

The strategic approach to the implementation of thee-Education policy rests on the two pillars of e-Learning and e-Administration, upon which the policyplaces great emphasis. e-Learning speaks to theeffective use of ICT for education, including computerliteracy that extends to online learning, curriculumdelivery and research. The e-Education policy intendsto use ICTs to extend and enrich educationalexperiences across the curriculum. It further describesthe enrichment of the learning environment usingICTs as a continuum, moving from teachers andlearners ‘learning about ICTs’ to ‘learning with ICTs’and then ‘learning through the use of ICTs’.

An array of factors influences the success or failureof building an e-Learning school, such as:

· access to the appropriate infrastructure, e.g. buildings, electricity, security, telecommunications infrastructure;


e-Administration involves the use of ICT to improvemanagement, administration and communicationwithin the school and linked to districts and provincialoffices. It specifically requires the planning andorganisation of human and physical resources,curriculum and financial management, examinationsand assessments.

The national implementation plan developed by theDepartment of Education (DoE) together with theprovinces and approved by Heads of EducationDepartment Committee (HEDCOM) serves as a guidetowards reaching the set standards.

The Telecommunications Act of 103 of 1996 andamended in 2001 (and now repealed by the ElectronicCommunications Act) makes provision for thedevelopment of an education network (EduNet) thatwil l connect al l institutions to each other.

The Department of Education is currently workingwith the Meraka Institute to develop a hybrid modelcharacterised by the use of existing infrastructureand EduNet-owned infrastructure, broadcasting(content download) and telecommunications(interactive) technologies, and a solution thataccommodates both rural and urban requirements.The model will eventually attempt to provide equitablebroadband access for all.

It also makes provision for a 50% discount connectivityrate. The e-Education sector has a responsibilitytherefore, of playing a leading and coordinating rolein the implementation of the EduNet as well as thee-rate. Provinces are initiating and rolling out theirown solutions for both school connectivity andprovincial networks. The effective exploitation of ICTin education provides not just a good education but

also ensures that all school leavers have a range ofICT skills to equip them for living in the InformationSociety. The Department of Education recognisesthat Provinces are at different levels of ICTdevelopment and that each Province will set its owntargets within the broader framework.

The Department of Education’s report indicates thatmost attempts at introducing ICTs in general andfurther education and training institutions are in theform of providing computer hardware. SometimesInternet access is included. Institutions, however,are in most cases still responsible for connectivityand recurring costs, maintenance, upgrading andsecurity.

Non-government Organisations (NGOs), foundationsand private companies have been the main sourcesof ICT in schools to date. This trend should continueand must be encouraged within the context of the e-Education Policy and the ICT rollout strategy of theProvincial Education Departments. Private sourcesof funding will be needed to effectively implement thepolicy. At the same time private support needs to bewithin a strong framework led by the DoE. Whilemany private funders have developed good practicein their interventions, there are also too manyinstances of schools being donated ICT equipmentand then left with little or no support. This resultsin lack of efficient usage of computers and mightmake them prone to theft.

It is important to establish clear guidelines that areneeded to manage the participation of NGOs,companies and donors at provincial level when theyengage with schools for the provision of ICT. Theseguidelines will be developed by Provinces from theissues of good practice discussed above and shouldemphasise:

· funding strategies;

· connectivity solutions;

· teacher development and support in curriculumintegration;

· management of stakeholder/community participation;

· continuous research, monitoring and evaluation;and

· development and implementation of school ICTsustainability plans.

· physical infrastructure;

· standards for ICT provision and connectivity;

· an integrated training programme of ICT skills,e-Learning, change management and communityfacilitation, based on the model set out in the national implementation plan;

· educator training in ICT use for teaching and e-Learning until skills are adequate; and

· training of a key ICT teachers in each school.


pg 57

A partnership approach is required that will involvevarious stakeholders including Departments ofEducation and Communications, SITA and serviceproviders to ensure proper connectivity solutions forthe schools. Approaches need to be tailored to thespecif ic condit ions prevai l ing in provinces.

To address the challenge of ICT infrastructure andits use for ICT services and applications, the NewPartnership for Africa Development, NEPAD, in itsprogrammes initiated NEPAD ICT Programme. Thee-Africa Commission is coordinating the NEPAD e-schools programme.

The NEPAD e-Schools will provide the basis for anICT solution, especially for rural schools. Thepurpose is to accrue a body of knowledge, based onreal-life experiences of implementing Information andCommunications Technologies (ICTs) in schools acrossthe African continent. In each country, theprogramme aims to transform all African secondaryschools into NEPAD e-Schools within five years ofimplementation start date and all African primaryschools within ten years of implementation start date.

For the purpose of fulfilling the objectives of theNEPAD ICT programme, the e-Africa Commissioncreated a partnership called the Information SocietyPartnership for Africa’s Development (ISPAD). Theprivate sector partners within ISPAD that arecurrently leading the consortia for the NEPAD e-Schools initiative are Hewlett Packard (HP), MicrosoftCorporation, satellite operator INMARSAT Limited,Oracle Corporation and Cisco Systems. HP, Oracleand Cisco were assigned to provide the technologysolution for the South African schools.

Additional streams of funding could be accessedthrough the use of schools as centres for communitylearning and services. The priority of ICT facilitiesfor teaching and learning must however be retained.In addition, there is a need to strengthen PublicPrivate Partnerships (PPPs) in line with the strategicframework on PPPs developed by the NationalTreasury.

The chances of success are also highly dependent onthe extent to which ICTs are integrated into thecurriculum. Initiatives, such as the ThutongEducational Portal, that provide on-line curriculumresources and communication forums are important

mechanisms of support that need to be utilised tothe fullest.

The Further Education and Training (FET) curriculumstarting in 2006 aims at equipping learners withskills needed to find their place in a modern, globaleconomy. ICT has a major role in the new curriculum,both in training in information technology and in useof ICT in all learning areas.


4.1.2.1 Infrastructure and fundingInfrastructure backlogs that include physicalbuildings, facilities and other resources in schoolshave a significant impact on the ability of schools toroll out learning using ICTs. There is also a lack offunding to address these backlogs.

4.1.2.2 Teacher developmentInadequate preparation for teachers is often a majorconstraint that impacts negatively on their ability tointegrate ICTs into the curriculum. In addition, limitedICT awareness and literacy is a constraint to theeffective management of ICT rollout at the institutionallevel. In most schools computers are used asinformation processing machines, such as typingletters, and as such are grossly under-utilised. Theability to manage and cope with changing demandsis also a huge chal lenge among teachers.

4.1.2.3 Community ownershipGetting the community involved and encouragingcommunities to take ownership of ICT initiatives inschools in their neighbourhoods are a major challenge.Responsibilities in an Information Society require ofcommunities to take pride in their assets and protectsuch assets whilst optimally utilising these resources.

4.1.2.4 Technical and pedagogical supportTechnical and pedagogical support is currentlyavailable only on a limited basis. This needs to bescaled up appreciably to make a significant impacton qua l i ty o f de l i very when us ing ICTs .

4.1.3 Strategic imperatives and actionsThe following strategic imperatives can make asignificant impact on the goal of ensuring that everylearner in general and further education and trainingwill be ICT capable by 2013:


· Provision of adequate financial and human resources for ICTs in education

· Facilitate the provision of physical infrastructurenecessary for affordable connectivity

The achievement of these strategic imperativeswill be realised through the following actions:· Ensure implementation of the e-Education policy

in all provinces

· Design and implement appropriate funding modelsfor the implementation of the e-Education policy

· Implement measures to support ICT skills deve l opment p rog rammes f o r t eache rs

· Facilitate the integration of ICTs into the curriculum

· Facilitate the provision of appropriate and affordable ICT infrastructure for teaching and learning

These targets were confirmed by the DOE

All under/un-qualified teachers formathematics, science andtechnology education register andsuccessfully complete upgradingcourses

Implementation of thee-Education policy inall provinces

Strategic Imperative:Provision of adequate financial and human resources for e-Education


DoE

2011/12

All schools connected and usingICT for teaching and learning

March 2013

Design and implementappropriate fundingmodels for theimplementation of thee-Education policy Increased participation of the

business sector using the NEPADe-Schools model of partnerships

April 2010

December 2007

Lead Department:DOE

Lead Department:DOE, Support: Highereducation institutions

2011/12

2011/12

2011/12

Lead Department:DoE

Ensure ICT skillsdevelopment supportprogrammes

Lead Department:DOE,

Every teacher and manager hasobtained a personal computer

All provinces have budget allocatedfor e-education

All teachers and managers havebasic training in the use of ICTin administration

All teachers and managers haveaccess to teacher training in theintegration of ICT into thecurriculum

All institutional managers haveaccess to management trainingin the management of ICT

All provincial managers aretrained in ICT integration to offersupport to institutions

2011/12

2011/12

Lead Department:DoE

Lead Department:DoE

Lead Department:DOE, Support: Highereducation institutions


pg 59

4.2 e-Health

4.2.1 Key developments in Healthe-Health solutions and applications can play a veryimportant role in health-care delivery, in particularin developing countries, where the acute shortage ofdoctors, nurses and paramedics is directlyproportional to the enormous unsatisfied demand forhealth services, and that e-Health could not beachieved without using ICTs to achieve the objectivesof the health-care system.

The 58th World Health Assembly adopted a resolutionon e-Health in May 2005 “stressing that e-Health isthe cost-effective and secure use of InformationCommunication Technologies (ICTs) in support of healthand health-related fields…”

In the context of the Information Society andDevelopment (ISAD) Plan, government stakeholdersin the health sector developed a working definitionof e-Health. e-Health is defined as the combinedutilisation of Information and CommunicationTechnologies (ICTs) to generate, capture, transmit,store and retrieve digital data for clinical, educationaland administrative purposes. The purpose of e-Healthis to contribute to the improvement of the healthstatus of the people of South Africa through optimaluse of ICTs. This would include e-systems in theareas of:

The core policy and legislative measures adopted tosupport the delivery of quality care in South Africausing ICTs are:

Table 3: Health care policies, legislation and guidelines

Facilitate theprovision ofappropriate andaffordable ICTinfrastructure forteaching and learning



Lead Department:DOE

50% of schools have access tocomputer facility for teaching andlearning

2011/12

All provincial and district officesare connected and have access toInternet

2011/12 All provincial anddistrict offices areconnected and haveaccess to Internet

Affordable ICT infrastructuremodels to be used for schoolconnectivity available

2011/12 DOE

· the delivery of health care;· the surveillance of diseases and services;· health emergencies and hazards;· the management of health care institutions;· access to repositories of knowledge, applica-

tions and literature;· the education of the public and formal

education of health service professionals; and· research

Legislation Objectives

The NationalHealth Act No61, of 2003

The Act clarifies the responsibilitiesof all levels of government and prov-ides a framework for a structureduniform health system in achievingthe common goal of improving uni-versal access to quality health serv-ices as well as to enforce the coordi-nated and integrated implement-ation of health information systems.


South Africa spends 8, 5% of its GDP on health care.The health sector in South Africa displays majordisparities and inequalities. Although there are 660public and private hospitals and 4,000 clinics acrossthe country access to health care, especially specialisthealth care remains a challenge that occur mostlyin prev iously d isadvantaged communit ies .

It is important to note that the majority of the SouthAfrican population rely solely on public health facilitiesfor health care service. In spite of this, the sectorspends only 40% of the total health expenditure inthe public sector compared to the private sector thatservice only 20% but absorbs 60% of the totalexpenditure.

The Department of Health (DoH) has developed a setof strategic priorities for the National Health Systemfor the period 2004 – 2009. The priorities are basedon the assessment of what has been achieved in thepast 10 years and what needs to be done to meet thehealth needs of South Africans. The following are thepriorities:

One of the challenges of the DoH is to provideequitable access, cost effective and quality healthcare for all the citizens irrespective of race or wherethey live. ICTs “as a tool” can be used optimally bythe health sector for the purpose of efficient andeffective delivery of health care.

Through ICT usage major South African medicalcentres can provide medical expertise and technicalsupport to primary rural health care communities indifferent parts of South Africa across provincialboundaries. Delivery of ICT in health can improvegeneral links and communications between developedeconomic centres and the underdeveloped rural areas.

ICTs can have a favourable impact on a number ofaspects of health care including:

· improve governance and management of the National Health System (NHS);

· promote healthy lifestyles;· contribute towards human dignity by improving

quality of care;· improve the management of communicable

diseases and non-communicable illnesses;· strengthen primary health care, emergency

medical services and hospital services deliverysystems;

· strengthen support services;· human resources planning, development and

management;· planning, budgeting and monitoring and

evaluation· prepare and implement legislation; and· s t r e n g t h e n i n t e r n a t i o n a l r e l a t i o n s .

· electronic health records;· e l ec t ron ica l l y ass i s ted prescr ip t ions ;· digital virtual libraries;· hospital information systems to enhance the

effectiveness of health institutions and strengthen the basis for decision making,

· distance education,· Telemedicine; and· promotion of information exchange among

researchers and students; and· Health promotion and prevention of diseases.


ElectronicCommuni-cation andTransactionAct 2002

The Act is aimed at the protectionof data. It requires the informationofficer of a private or public bodyto refuse access to personalmedical/ health information abouta third party unless the third partyconsents to its disclosure.

Promot ionof Access toInformationAct

The Act encourages all departmentsto implement electronic systemsthat are characterised by security,integrity, and authenticity. The DoHis in a process of creating anelectronic patient record system thatwill be accessible to all health careworkers in all health facilities.Measures must be taken to guardagainst accidental or unauthoriseddestruction, accidental loss, andunauthorized access, alteration ordissemination of information.


pg 61

These aspects are the components of e-Health withthe Electronic Health Record (EHR) as the main pillarof any e-Health strategy. It is therefore of utmostimportance that the health system takes advantageof developments in ICTs. The correct management ofinformation and information flows is necessary toimprove the quality of health care in the country.

Information can be made available through the useof radio, especially community radio stations. Manyhouseholds, especially in rural areas, have access toa radio. Information can cover aspects of preventionof diseases, management of minor ailments, and whathealth care services are available for particular typesof diseases.

Television, in the form of edutainment, is also usedto disseminate and empower communities. Manypeople can be reached through broadcasting. SouthAfrica has already introduced programmes such asKhomanani, Lovelife, Soul City and others todisseminate information through television. It hasalso developed a closed health broadcast channelthat broadcasts to patients visiting clinics andhospitals. Information, especially in affluent societies,can be disseminated through the Internet or healthportals and can also cover topics such as prevention,promotion, use of certain drugs, management ofminor ailments and home care.

Despite the many possibilities for ICT in health, SouthAfrica has to overcome quite a number of hindrancesin order to realise the full potential of suchtechnologies. These include basic infrastructurerequirements such as electricity, telephone lines andcomputer equipment. Although most hospitals havecomputers, access to resources such as the Internetand Medical databases are still limited. There are nocomputers in most clinics and therefore all datacapturing for both routine and clinical purposes ispaper-based.

Almost all primary health care facilities have watersupply on site, and are electrified. However,interruptions in the supply of water and electricityare still common. There are wide provincial disparitiesin the availability and reliability of communicationinfrastructure. 84% of facilities have at least oneworking means of communication. Working telephoneswere available 76% of facilities, fax machines in 20%of facilities and two-way radios in 18% of facilities

and computers in 17% of facilites. Only 3% hadcomputers with Internet access. (Health SystemsTrust: The National Primary Health Care FacilitiesSurvey 2003)

In 1995 the DoH established a National HealthInformation System Committee (NHIS/SA) thatincluded the nine provinces, private sector, localauthority, military and the Medical Research Council,with the mandate to conceive and design acomprehensive national health information systemfor South Africa. The establishment of the system isprimarily for the management of national health careservices and facilities at the district, provincial andnational levels. The NHIS/SA developed a conceptdocument titled, “Towards a National Policy andStrategy for a National Health Information Systemfor South Africa.”

The NHIS/SA agreed that priority should be given tosupporting the following categories of information:· those supporting Surveillance; and· those enabling a better management, more

specifically day-to-day functions including thosein the administrat ion and f inance area.

The implementat ion of these systems wascharacterised by challenges like e.g. the provincesdid not have the same structure as national toimplement systems, lack of project management skillsto manage such big projects. Enterprise informationsystems that are implemented in provinces are verycostly thus resulting in some provinces using the in-house developed systems e.g. Gauteng, Mpumalangaand the Northwest. Despite these challenges, theDoH has seen many achievements in the areas ofICT: The implementation of the District HealthInformation System that is used by all health facilitiesto collect data from local, district, province andnational, thus providing information for patientmanagement at operational level and information fordecision making.

The Department of Health has established a paperlesshospital in Kwazulu Natal, one of its kind in Africausing a PPP model. The DoH has also implementedtelemedicine in the country looking at bothunderserved rural areas as well as advanced academicinstitutions. The aim is to provide medical care at adistance, clinical consultation as well as distanceeducation for both health professionals and patients.



4.2.2.1 e-Health policyThe absence of an e-Health policy that provides anoverarching framework for implementing e-Healthprogrammes and initiatives contributes to a lack ofcoordinated ICT health strategies and impactsnegatively on developing health informationregulations in accordance with the National HealthAct.

4.2.2.2 Standards and protocolsThe uptake of ICTs in health is high especially inareas of health information systems. The challengeis to develop standards and protocols that will ensureinteroperability of the systems and to ensure sharingof data and information nationally and internationally.

4.2.2.3 New and emerging technologiesThere is a low uptake of new and emergingtechnologies, especially in the areas of telemedicineapplication. This is related to the high cost oftelemedicine applications.

4.2.2.4 Human capital developmentThe state of ICT in health is also characterised bylack of trained ICT staff as well as the lack of retentionstrategies for ICT personnel.

4.2.2.5 Monitoring and evaluationMonitoring and evaluation of ICT initiatives is notwholly addressed by the DoH. There are no fundsallocated for e-Health research.


pg 63

4.2.3Strategic imperatives and actions

4.3 ICT and SMME development4.3.1 Key developments in the provision of SMME

support

4.3.1.1 IntroductionThe development of the SMME sector has beenprioritised by the South African government. Theimportance and need for growing the sector stemsfrom the potential it has in bridging the gap betweenthe first and the second economy. It is estimated thatSMMEs account for up to 99.3% of the privatelyowned enterprises in South Africa (Annual Review,2003:42). Moreover, the potential of SMMEs to resolvethe country’s developmental challenges such as forexample employment and economic growth isimmense. According to the Integrated ManufacturingStrategy, SMME’s currently contribute 35% to GrossDomestic Product (GDP). They also contribute 54%to formal private sector employment (Ntsika, 2000).

The role that ICTs can play in developing the SMMEsector cannot be overemphasised. Globally, ICTs havefundamentally changed the way production isorganised. To the enterprise owner, ICTs offer flexibilityof time and a way out of isolation, access to knowledgeand productive resources. They are enabling toolsfor economic development. In addition, the ICT sectorhas the capacity to accelerate the development of theSMME sector, due to the various businessopportunities it has. This section provides a briefoverview of key developments, which have had

positive impact on the ICT SMME sector. In addition,the impact of these changes on the use of ICTs bythe general SMME sector is considered as well. Inthe following section, challenges accountable forinhibiting the growth of the ICT SMME sector andthose inhibiting the uptake of ICTs by the generalSMMEs are looked at.

4.3.1.2 ICT SMMEs in South AfricaThe ICT Empowerment Charter of 2004 defines the“ICT Enterprise” as an enterprise that conductsbusiness at any stage of the value chain of the sector.Due to the fragmented nature of the ICT SMME sector,it is difficult to present the accurate number ofestablishments active within the sector. It is estimatedthat there were approximately 6400 ICT companiesoperating in the country in 2002 (ISETT-SETA, 2002).The majority of South African ICT companies areSMMEs. It is not surprising that the Gauteng andWestern Cape provinces account for almost 79% ofall ICT establishments in the country. The unevendistribution of ICT companies among provinces clearlyportrays the information divide that exists betweenthe country’s communities.

Accelerate theadoption of ICTs in thedelivery of health care



DOH,e-Health policy

Implementation of ElectronicHealth Record in all healthfacilities

Connectivity to all health facilitieswith access to internet by allhealth practitioners

Telehealth broadcast channel inall primary health care facilities

2007/8

2010

2014

DOH and DOC

DOH, SENTECH, DOC

2012


Government has initiated various policy interventionsto promote the active participation of SMMEs in theICT sector. In 2004, the Minister of Communicationsmade policy pronouncements intended to furtherliberalise the ICT sector and as a result accelerategrowth in the sector, remove constraints for suchgrowth, reduce the cost of telecommunications andfacilitate appropriate interventions in the 2ndeconomy. The enforcement of these directives havehad positive impact on Internet Service Providers(ISPs), licensed as Value Added Network Services(VANS), since they were able to reduce their facilitiescosts. In addition, these policy changes resulted inthe ICT sector witnessing a number of new competitorsentering the sector in direct competition with theincumbent player, Telkom.

Some of the new players in the sector, particularlyin the wireless market are amongst others Vodacom,MTN, Cell-C, Wireless Business Solution and Sentech.These developments were not just aimed at offeringpotential ICT SMMEs a choice, but also to ensurethat they save considerable amounts of money. It isalso important to note that measures aimed atevaluating the impact of the 2004 ministerialdeterminations and other policy developments areunderway.

The Electronic Communications Act also empowersthe minister to provide mechanisms to promoteSMMEs within the ICT sector. The Act also providesfor a layered or hor izonta l model o f thetelecommunications sector.

The drive towards black economic empowerment,preferential procurement and the creation of ICTsector-specific opportunities provide significantopportunities to promote the growth and developmentof the ICT SMME sector. The ICT Charter is onevehicle through which ICT SMMEs will be clearlysupported. Section 6.2 of the Charter states: “TheICT sector agrees that a minimum of 30% of the 70%procurement spend should be directed towards blackowned, black empowered and black engenderedSMME’s that are excellent and good contributors toBEE”. Moreover, this commitment to develop SMMEswithin the sector is further reiterated in section 6.3,which states that “the various enterprises in thesector should include as part of their procurementstrategies or policies preferential payment cycles forSMME’s”. The recent announcements by Government,

ordering government departments to identify 10 sector“set-aside” products and services to be procuredexclusively from SMMEs will further expand marketopportunities for ICT SMMEs, thereby strengtheningtheir viability.

State Owned Enterprises within the ICT sector havecommitted themselves to supporting SMMEs in thesector. Again, in a meeting of 28th November 2005,with the Deputy President, the State Owned EnterpriseProcurement Forum (SOEPF) pointed out that itintends developing an SMME database, which willbe utilised by all government owned enterprises whenprocuring goods and services from SMMEs. It alsopromised to further provide necessary supportservices/advice to SMMEs.

In order to accelerate the entry of SMMEs into theICT sector, government has recognised the importanceof exploring various ICT SMME models with theintention of coming up with a sustainable model.One of the models to be explored is co-operatives.Cooperatives have been used in a number ofdeveloping and developed countries to ensure thatinhabitants in rural areas have access totelecommunications services. In Bolivia and Finland,for example, cooperatives have been for many yearst h e o n l y m e c h a n i s m t o p r o v i d e l o c a ltelecommunication services to the whole country.Fifteen incumbent cooperatives provide fixed localtelephony in the most densely populated villages ofBolivia (Calzada & Da’valos, 2005:387-388). Polandis also a good example to demonstrate the successof the cooperatives model. Two telecommunicationscooperatives were established in the early 90s. Thesetwo cooperatives, WIST and Tyczyn, have since addednew services, including Internet access and, plan tointroduce broadband for remote areas and cable TV,and have evolved into very successful enterprisesoffering better and cheaper services than theirinves to r - l ed l oca l counterpar ts (Na t i ona lTelecommunications Cooperatives Association ofPoland).

In South Africa, the cooperatives model has workedefficiently within the Agricultural sector in the pastyears. Its implementation into the ICT sector, it isbelieved would accelerate development and entry ofSMMEs into the sector. In addition, the introductionof cooperatives would also bring fierce competitionto already established ICT service providers.


pg 65

This would benefit consumers, as it has the potentialto drive connectivity costs down.

The incubation model has also played a vital role infacilitating the entry of SMMEs within the ICT sector.Incubation programmes provide an enablingenvironment where start-ups from the knowledge-intensive sectors including information andcommunications technology, are fast tracked tocompete in the business world. The programme helpsstart-up companies establish themselves and grow.The emphasis is mainly on assisting previouslydisadvantaged individuals and female entrepreneurs.

The number of incubator companies hosted by variousIncubation programmes has been increasing. Thishas some spill-over effects as these ICT SMMEcompanies enter the mainstream of the economy,thereby contributing in the development of the SouthAfrican economy.

The government has initiated a process through whichan ICT SMME strategy will be developed. The strategyaims to facilitate the growth and development ofSMMEs in the ICT and other sectors and enhancingthe i r compet i t i veness and susta inab i l i t y .

Coordination between government and private sectorhas reaped satisfactory results in a number ofinstances. This coordinated approach has led to theestablishment of ICT SMMEs, through Internet Cafes,in needy communities. It is necessary for governmentto encourage these initiatives, considering that theyaccelerate SMME entry into the ICT sector.

At the same time Government is strengthening theservice delivery mechanisms to support and addressthe growth and development needs of SMMEs. Theestablishment of the Small Enterprise DevelopmentAgency (SEDA) in 2005 is an indication ofGovernment’s commitment to strengthen institutionsmeant to address SMME challenges. However, thereis a dire need for SEDA to provide sector-focusedsupport interventions. In the past, Ntsika, which hasbeen incorporated into the new entity, has providedgeneric information and support, which has not beeneffective for the ICT SMME sector. Internationally,sector-focussed support is said to have enhanced thedevelopment and sustainabi l i ty of SMMEs.

4.3.1.3 Uptake of ICTs by SMMEsOne of the major challenges facing SMMEs is theacquisition of and deployment of cost effective andappropriate ICT solutions. ICTs are required in orderto improve performance of SMMEs and furtherenhance their global competitiveness. However, theuptake of these enabling tools by the general SMMEshas been of concern. In 2003, World Wide Worx (Pty)Ltd. undertook a survey on the use of ICTs by SMMEs.The research found that SMMEs are spending a stableand slightly increasing percentage of their turnoveron ICTs annually. In 2001, 47% of SMMEs spentmore than 1% of their turnover on ICTs, 48% and49% in 2002 and 2003 respectively (SME Survey,2003). Another recent survey by World Wide Worx(Pty) Ltd. established that the proportion of SMEsconnecting to the Internet via ADSL nearly doubledover 2004 and increased tenfold over 2003 (Goldstuck,June 2005).

In order for the SMME sector to contributesignificantly in the South African economy it isnecessary that government facilitate uptake of ICTsthrough the growth sectors prioritised in ASGI-SA.These sectors include tourism, arts and craft and theagricultural sector. There are limited initiatives thatare meant to facilitate the uptake of ICTs by SMMEswithin the country. The Technology and HumanResources for Industry Programme (THRIP), is amongstthe few initiatives within the DTI. THRIP aims toimprove the competitiveness of South African industryby supporting science research, technologydevelopment and diffusion. THRIP promotes know-how within the SMME-sector, through the deploymentof skills vested in Higher Education Institutions andScience and Engineering Technology institutions.

The CSIR’s Enterprise Development Centres (EDC)has also plays a role in facilitating the uptake of ICTsby SMMEs. Generally, the country has limitedinitiatives aimed at accelerating or enhancing theuptake of ICTs by SMMEs. The cost of applicationsand limited innovations by South Africans is blamedfor the low uptake.


4.3.2.1 ICT SMME sector specific challenges· Lack of accessible high-speed InternetThe access to high speed Internet is crucial to businessd e v e l o p m e n t i n i n t e r n a t i o n a l e c o n o m y .


In South African townships and rural areas accessis expensive and scarce. According to a survey bysmall, medium and micro enterprise forum (SMMEForum) undertaken in October of 2005, no singleADSL line exist in Soweto. The initiatives bygovernment to provide accessible broadband willdefinitely assist potential ICT SMMEs willing to startInternet Cafes in the townships.

Support services that are provided through Internetchannels often do not reach their target market sincethe majority of SMME’s do not have access to theInternet. In addition, many business advisors areunaware of the role and importance of ICTs andtherefore are unlikely to promote it.

· Minimal ICT SMME sector-focused support programmes

There are arguments that government support,particularly interventions provided by SEDA is generic.In other words information and advice provided doesnot meet the needs and requirements of specificsectors such as ICT SMME sector. In addition, themajority of staff employed in SEDA’s Local ServiceBusiness Centres (LBSCs) are not well trained orcapacitated to offer proper advice and informationrelevant to the ICT SMMEs. This has had negativeresults on the development and sustainability ofpotential ICT SMMEs. This has also been articulatedby the 10 year Review of SMME support in SouthAfrica.

· Minimal support programmes for micro and survivalists enterprises within the ICT sector

In its provision of support services within the ICTSMME sector, government has concentrated mainlyon the small and medium enterprises. However, thereis little support that is tailor made for the micro andsurvivalists sector of the market. This sector has thepotential to minimise poverty levels withincommunities. It is therefore proposed that moreattention be given to this sector of the economy.Survivalists’ enterprise would include, for example,individuals who offer telephone services in the streetcorners.

· Limited ICT related skillsThere are limited individuals with relevant ICT skillsin the country. This therefore limits the ability of thecountry to create applications which would assistSMMEs in the day to day operations of their business.

Moreover, it has resulted in local SMMEs becomingless competitive in the international market. It istherefore necessary for robust interventions andsupport to be provided, so as to promote and enhancethe development of the relevant skill.

4.3.2.2 ICT SMME uptake challengesThe limited ICT skills prevalent in the country leadto limited ICT applications development. It is alsoimportant to note that Open Source Software has thepotential to enhance the uptake and use of ICTs bythe general SMMEs. However, the level of developmentof this software in the country is relatively low.

There are limited programmes and initiatives aimedat facilitating the uptake of ICTs by the SMMEssector. It would be appreciable for government andprivate sector if these interventions can be enhanced.

4.3.2.3 General challenges facing SMMEs· Policy and regulatory burdenPolicies and regulations are critical to the fair andsustainable working of economies. An appropriateregulatory environment is viewed by some as thesingle most important element in an economic growthstrategy (Bannock Consulting, 2002). According tothe World Bank, developing countries can improvetheir annual growth rates by as much as 1, 4 percentif they created a world-class regulatory environment(World Bank, 2004). The cost of compliance and theadministrative burden remain a major challenge forSMMEs.

· Integration and coordination of small businesssupport

In the past 10 years we have witnessed a proliferationof small business support programmes under differentgovernment institutions. The range of institutionsand programmes on offer can easily confuseentrepreneurs in need of business developmentservices. To address this, government is finalisingprocesses to pull together these programmes undera single focal point. The concept of a single smallenterprise development agency is now a reality withthe establishment of the SEDA. The primary role ofthis agency is to ensure that business developmentservices are accessible and visible to all South Africanentrepreneurs. While the government encourages thediversity of support programmes and agencies, itupholds its responsibility to ensure coherence ande f f ec t i veness o f sma l l bus iness suppor t .


pg 67

· Access to finance, business development supportand markets

Although significant progress has been made toincreasing the outreach and impact of financialservices, the numbers of SMMEs from historicallydisadvantaged backgrounds who access financialservices remain limited. The market is characterisedby a gap in the provision of commercial loans in therange between R 10 000 and R 50 000 (Meagher andWilkinson: 2001).

Lack of access to appropriate, relevant andunderstandable information and advice is one of themost important problems of small enterprises, inparticular micro-enterprises, survivalists and smallstart-up enterprises. In a country wide review ofnational small business programmes (Mussane andBurke: 2004), it was found that the type and qualityof business information and advice that are currentlydelivered to SMMEs are generally regarded as poor.

Entrepreneurs are particularly interested in findinginformation on business opportunities in theirgeographic locations, what services are available andhow these services can be accessed. The managementof enterprises is only as good as the information theycan access to make decisions.

As entrepreneurs in SMMEs generally have to performall of the management functions in the enterprise,they usually do not have time and/or resources toreach out or to develop access to the markets beyondtheir immediate location. Given the absence ofbusiness development services, they generally do nothave knowledge or information about other markets.This has limited the ability of the SMMEs to markettheir products to larger groups of customers andexpand their business. This problem is generallymore serious in micro enterprises. SMMEs usuallyregard market constraints and the inability to selltheir products and services as one of the most seriousobstacles to the starting of businesses and growthbeyond mere subsistence level.

· Quality of service deliveryICT SMMEs are not able to compete effectively in themarket, mainly because they do not deliver on quality.There is no ICT industry association that providesaccreditation and encourages adherence to a setcodes of conduct. This makes ICT SMMEs vulnerableto large corporations.

· Late payment for goods and services

The public sector represents a major marketopportunity for SMMEs. Although preferentialprocurement is aimed at encouraging the participationof SMMEs in this market, there are unintended resultsthat inh ib i t i t s e f f ec t i ve implementat ion .

The problem relates to the conduct of governmentregarding payment for services rendered by SMMEs.Generally, SMMEs argue that government tend topay them for services, 60 days after the issue of aninvoice, which then affects their cash flow. For thepolicy to be fully effective, it is crucial for SMMEs toget “preferential payment” for services rendered e.g.15 or 30 days after an invoice has been issued, ratherthan the 60 day waiting period.

· Lack of effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms

There is currently no effective monitoring andevaluation mechanism for the SMME sector. Thismakes it impossible for government to measure andevaluate the impact of its interventions in the sector.The latest Integrated SMME development strategythat is being developed by the Department of Tradead Industry has put more emphasis on the enactmentof relevant monitoring structures. This will go a longway in informing government in its executions ofservices for the SMME sector.


4.3.3 Strategic imperat ives and act ions


Develop an ICT SMME strategy

ICT skills development and anentrepreneurial culture instilled

e-Cooperatives

Review regulatory framework ofSMMEs

Strengthen the provision ofasset financing for ICT SMMEs(sector specific model)

Ensure affordable and easyaccess to ICT infrastructure andapplications

Create/promote the use of ICTsfor competitiveness (awarenesscampaigns/informationdissemination)

Enhance the number of ICTSMME incubation facilities

Develop an effective monitoringand evaluation system for theICT SMME sector

Strategic Imperatives:· Accelerate the growth and development of the ICT SMME sector· Accelerate the uptake of ICTs by SMMEs in various economic sectors

DTI, DOC, SEDA,CIPRO & UYF

DOL, DTI

PNC on ISADDTI, DOC, SEDA,CIPRO & UYF

DOC, DTI, SARS,Presidency and DOL

DTI, CIS, Khula,Enterprise Finance,IDC, SEDA &Banking industry

DOC, DTI, ICTPrivate sector

DTI, DOC, SEDA &ICT SMME Forums

DTI, DOC, DST

DTI, DOC, StatisticsSouth Africa

Final ICT SMME Strategy

Implementation of Strategy

Innovative entrepreneursand sustainable/ viablesmall enterprises

A more sustainable andprofitable ICT SMME model

Implementation of models

A conducive and enablingpolicy environment for thedevelopment of ICT SMMEsand general SMMEs

Easily accessible fundingmeasures for ICT SMMEs

Easily of accessible andaffordable ICTinfrastructure (Broadband)

Internationally competitiveSMMEs

Number of new ICT SMMEincubation centres

Monitoring and evaluationsystems in place

2009

2014

Continuous

2008

2014

2008

Continuous

2009

Continuous

2009

2007


pg 69

· G2G: The application of IT intra-governmentaloperations - Government to government;

· G2C: The application of IT to transform the delivery of public services -Government to Citizens;

· G2B: The application of IT to operations performed by government In its interaction withbusiness – Government to business (e-procurement)

4.4 Government Service Delivery

4.4.1 Key developments in e-GovernmentMany areas of service delivery and the performanceof the public service require much improvement.Government is faced with challenges of improvingservice delivery including increasing the quality ofservice to citizens in order to address policy objectivesof poverty eradication, job creation, economic growthand redistribution, safety and security, housing andthe provision of basic services.

Three key challenges impact on the ability ofGovernment to deliver service effectively and efficiently:· The first is accessibility. Government Departments

are open for a restricted number of hours (usuallyfrom 07h30 to 15h30, 5 days a week), that limitsthe abil ity of citizens to access services:

· The second challenge is internal efficiency. The large core IT systems within Government are notnecessarily linked, even within individual Departments. This results in duplication of processes, databases, large-scale system incompatibilities and inefficiencies. For exampleusers are required to resubmit their data every time they interact with a new government entity.

Thirdly, Departments have a process driven approachto client service that is characterised by long leadtimes and results in poor client satisfaction. Systemsare not set up to solve problems and fast-track servicedelivery requirements, making Government lessresponsive. The Batho Pele Principles inform thetransformation of the public service and efforts madeto improve service delivery through the establishmentof acceptable standards of quality. The Batho Peleobjectives state that equal access to Governmentservices involves consultation, choice in servicesoffered, service standards as well as value for moneyconsiderations.

These principles also provided the impetus for theadoption of the concept of e-Government with anunderstanding that the starting point in the uptakeof e-Government should always be to identify whatthe customer wants. Strategies for using ICT to delivercustomer focused services should then be developedto achieve this economically, securely, and effectively.

The currently approved vision for e-Government isexpressed in the document entitled, “Electronic

Government, The Digital Future: A Public Service ITPolicy Framework”, published in 2001. The PolicyFramework recommends that an e-Governmentinitiative should address three main domains:

The following objectives for e-Government arearticulated to support efforts to realise the vision of‘’Optimised service delivery that provides universalaccess to government information and servicesanytime and anywhere’’.· To enable the deployment of effective governance

structures and processes.· To create a focal point for the necessary capacity

to sustain a complex e-Government Programme.· To link Government across all three tiers of service

delivery.· To provide a “user-friendly” communication and

transaction channel between government and society.

· To provide a common and effective look and feel for government (i.e. a single window for citizens and business to interact with the Government).

· To ensure requisite levels of information securityand controlled access.

· To procure products and services in line with government policy and in terms of volume discounting arrangements..

· To facilitate the creation of effective business models and service delivery mechanisms.

· To promote resource-sharing among governmentdepartments and eliminate unnecessary expenditure in ICT systems through centralised procurement, installation, implementation and maintenance of ICT systems.

· To provide for digital inclusion of all citizens thro-ugh educational and training interventions.


· To deploy cost-efficient and timely technology-based solutions that enable public service deliveryconvenient to citizens.

· To create a fit between technology and human capital within government to allow effective servicedelivery.

· To support local software industry development.· To model solutions which are aligned to the needs

and imperatives of the three tiers of government,business and citizens (as well as various levels ofsophistication in technology needs and adoptionstrategies).

The country is currently reviewing the adopted 10year horizon and a six-phase implementationapproach for e-Government. The proposed strategyfor the implementation of e-Government anticipatea schedule for implementation to be in the following4 Phases and targets.

Phase Explanation

Phase 1WebPresence(StaticInformationProvision)

In 2001 Cabinet adopted an E-Government Policy DiscussionDocument. The Batho Pele GatewayProject was initiated to provide staticinformation on government services. This phase involves clustering allservices of government into lifeevents from cradle to grave. Theinformation on these services, forinstance birth, will be suppliedthrough an informational portal(Batho Pele Gateway Portal). Thecitizens, and public servants, willbe able to check information onwhere they can obtain the service(birth), what documents are requiredwhen applying for the service, theprocedure for applying for aparticular service, the nearest officeto the citizen, the cost of the serviceand the time duration from applyingfor the service to when service isactually delivered (in our examplethe time taken from applying forbirth certificate to obtaining thebirth certificate).

Phase Explanation

The portal will also carry the formsthat citizens may print and fill inbefore visiting the government officefor service delivery. This first phasewill assist in the reduction of queuesin government offices as citizenswill know what documentation tobring with them before visiting there levant government o f f ices .

This phase will culminate with theoffering of current and new serviceselectronically to cit izens andbusinesses wi th t ransact ingcapabilities. Properly identified andauthenticated citizens will be ableto transact on line with discretegovernment applications in a securemanner, where it makes sense todo so. It will be characterized by anumber of parallel projects whichwill serve to enable the reaching ofthis goal for increasing numbers ofservices as time goes on. This phasewill realistically take three to sixyears to complete with services beingadded progressively over the lifecycle of this phase. A governmentwide IT architecture will be requiredat this stage for further developmentof transactional services. At theconclusion of this phase a certainnumber of services offered bynational, provincial and localgovernments will be offered onlinewith fulfilment either completed fullyor par t ia l l y . Authent i ca t ionframework need to be developed thatwould result in proper Public KeyInfrastructure mechanism for thegovernment.

Phase 2Interaction(Transaction-basedservice)

Phase 3Transaction(Clusteringof service)

This phase will involve the clusteringof related services irrespective ofwhich government department offerswhich service(s). At this stage a cleardata and information requirementsof departments will have beenmapped as a result of the activitiesin the preceding phase.


pg 71

The implementation process for achieving the e-Government vision is guided by the followingprinciples:

· Interoperable public service systems to enableseamless and one-stop-shop services to the public, accessible through integrated service centres and multiplicity of electronic service channels;

· Secure public information to uphold constit-utional principles on citizens’ privacy and confid-entiality, and to ensure unassailable continuityof public services;

· Leveraging the buying muscle of government for cheaper, smarter, and faster public sectorICT acquisitions;

· Eliminating unnecessary duplications of ICT efforts through consolidation and coordinationat the centre of the public sector; and

· Digital inclusion is proposed as a key focus area that aims to provide access to ICT infrastructure to previously disadvantaged communities and ensure the success of any effort on electronic government initiatives.

Phase Explanation

This will involve the mapping ofwhich department can collect, read,modify, add, delete and transferw h i c h c i t i z e n ’ s d a t a a n dinformation. It is also hoped that atthis point the Home Affairs NationalIdentification System (HANIS),including the SMART card will becomplete and fully operational. Theexistence of the above will allow fullsystem integration and will serve asthe centre of authentification andverification system. Authenticationframework needs to be ful lyimplemented. With this in place allthe existing CA’s will merged into asingle CA resulting in citizens havingto register once and supply theirpassword once when they log in.

Phase 4Transform-ation(Person-alisation &Mainten-ance)

This phase wi l l invo lve thepersonalisation and life trackingevents. This is a pure systemsenhancement to allow the systemto track and remind citizens ofimportant and sometimes l i fethreatening events e.g. A patientwith an acute i l lness wil l bereminded to collect prescriptions h o u l d h e / s h e m i s s t h ea p p o i n t m e n t a t a m e d i c a linstitution. Another example iswhere the system will inform acitizen that he/she has reached anage where they are eligible to voteand have to register on the voters’roll or that they are now eligible toapply for a drivers’ licence. Thecitizens will at this stage be able tocustomise the front-end look andfeel according to life events pertinentat that particular point in their lifecycle. This is the final maintenancephase of e-Government. This phasefur ther invo lves progress iveorganisational transformation asthe needs of government dictate andas new technological innovationspermit.

Phase Explanation

Organisational structures will berevised and new structures mighthave to be established in responseto new legislative activity on thepart of government. As technologyevolves one can expect in timeincreasingly self-daptive systemswhich will use the language oflegislation to automatically configurethe underpinning processes anddata and information manipulationto reflect the new legislative intent.This will provide new opportunitiesfor governments to respond to theneeds of citizens.


A number of policy measures have been identified ascritical to create an enabling environment for theimplementation of e-Government and include:

Table 3: Policy and legislative measures to support e-Government implementation

Policy andlegislativemeasures

Objectives

MinimumInformationSecurityStandards(MISS)

Handbookon MinimumInteroperabilityStandards(MIOS

MISS was published to provide thenecessary procedures and measuresto pro tec t ce r ta in types o finformation. This document laysdown a minimum standard for thehandling of classified informationin all institutions, so that variousinstitutions may send classifiedinformation to one another in theknowledge that the r i sk o fcompromising such information hasbeen eliminated.

The Interoperability handbook wasissued by the Government in 2002.It sets out the Government’stechnical policies and standards forachieving interoperability andinformation systems coherenceacross the public sector. The MIOSdefines the essential pre-requisitefor joined-up and web enabledgovernment. Next to security, it isa cornerstone policy in the overalle-Government strategy.


The South African Law ReformCommission released an issue paperin which it invited public commenton Privacy and Data Protection fromthe public by the end of 2003. Sincethen the Commission has been putttogether a discussion paper 110 onPrivacy and Data Protection Actwhich was release in October 2005.The Commission is currentlyundergoing a consultative processon the draft legislation on privacyand data Protection (Project 134)

The Publ ic Serv ice Act andRegulation assigns the responsibilityof the effective and efficient use ofICTs in the Public Sector as well asto necessary leadership andcoordination of E-governmentinitiatives.The regulations resulted in thees tab l i shment o f the S ta t eInformation Technology Agency(SITA) Act 38 0f 2002, whoserespons ib i l i t y i s to prov ideinformation technology systems,solutions and/or related servicesthat will ensure adherence to the e-government framework, policy andguidelines

PublicService ActandRegulations

ThePromotionof Access toInformationAct

This Act encourages the use of e-Government serv ices acrossGovernment to enable the servicedelivery departments to operateefficiently and effectively. The actprovides for the application of onlinet r a n s a c t i o n s a n d e - F i l l i n gprogrammes without any prejudicethat may affect the users. The Actmade provision for Electronictransactions rules which madeallowance for companies to keepelectronic evidence rather thanpaper documents.

ElectronicCommu-nicationsTransactionAct of 2002

DraftLegislationon privacyand dataprotection

The Act enables the constitutionalright of access to information. Aperson is entit led to requestinformation from a public or privatebody. A request may be made where:· The record is required to protect

or exercise a right;· The procedures have been

complied with;· There is no ground for refusal;

and.· A request includes request for

personal information.


pg 73

Access channel initiatives for e-GovernmentSouth Africa has made significant efforts to increaseaccess for citizens in disadvantaged communities byimproving ICT infrastructure in such geographicareas. Innovative mechanisms have been implementedto support the provision of community access tocitizens and include the establishment of Multi-Purpose Community Centre’s (MPCCs), Telecentres,e-Gateway Service Counters and Public InformationTerminals (PITs).

· Multi-Purpose Community CentresMPCCs can be described as a one-stop, integratedcommunity centre, where there is communityparticipation and people’s needs are addressed byproviding relevant service.

The primary aim of the MPCC is to provide access togovernment information and services. Each centre isexpected to provide services related to at least sixGovernment Departments.The centres are established at district level and areexpected to be rolled out to each of the country’s 284municipalities by 2014. Seventy-four of the MPCCsthat have been piloted through the roll-out phaseduring the period 1999 to 2004 are still in operation.

· Batho Pele Gateway PortalThe Portal is a project that is responsible for providingaccess to government information and servicesthrough the use of ICTs. The project is implementedby the Department o f Publ ic Serv ice andAdministration (DPSA), the State InformationTechnology Agency (SITA) and the GovernmentCommunication and Information System (GCIS). Theservice counters are situated at the MPCCs.

· TelecentresThe concept of Telecentres as a solution to the accessdivide was mooted in the early nineties. The UniversalService Agency played a leading role in theimplementation process. There are currently 94Te l e cen t r es l o ca t ed ac ross the count ry .

ICT training in telecenters remains a challenge, thisincludes training in the use of computers which canbe addressed by looking at training mechanisms suchas :· Commission training materials which are

computer-based, interactive in home language andcover very basic subjects like opening a CD case,turning the computer on etc;

· Initiate a PC repair and maintenance training strategy for community access initiative staff whohave technical potential;

· Develop multi-stakeholder led scholarship programme to enable grassroots people who cannotafford to learn computer basics to do so.

Other Access initiatives· Local and Provincial GovernmentLocal and Provincial Government are engaged in theimplementation of various ICT projects in efforts toprovide access or information to the public. Thesehave been developed in conjunction with nationalinitiatives and include initiatives such as the SmartCape Project in the Western Cape. This project is acomponent of the far-reaching Smart City initiativeof local government to IT-enable the population ofCape Town. The project has now been rolled out to27 libraries and by June 2005 all 98 libraries in CapeTown were expected to be connected. There are PCsat each site which allows users to type and printdocuments, surf the web and send and receive e-mails.


This Act provides for a NationalArchives and Record Service; theproper management and care of therecords of governmental bodies; andthe preservation and use of ana t i ona l a r ch i va l h e r i t a g e .

The Act created the establishmentof a body which wil l providegovernment with electronic security, whose responsibility among otherthings is: To protect and securecritical electronic communicationsagainst unauthorised access ortechnical, electronic or any otherrelated threats;To provide, with the concurrence ofthe NIA, verification services forelectronic communications securitysystems, products and services usedby organs of state.

NationalArchives andRecords Act

ElectronicCommunicationsSecurity Act68 of 2002


· Donor supported initiativesDespite the support Community Access Initiativesreceives from donors, programmes are oftenabandoned once it has been piloted. It often happensthat there is no money for maintenance after thepilot.

ICTs initiatives such as Kgautswane is still supportedby Non-government Organisations (NGOs) in itsoperations, while Women’s Net has set up an internetlab so that it can be accessible for communities toaccess information and other services.

· Public Private PartnershipsThe corporate sector plays an important role inproviding support to community programmes.Community Access initiatives such as Kgautswanehas been supported by British Petroleum (BP) andOld Mutual.

Another example is the partnership between the USAand Microsoft that was formed to establish DigitalVillages. The Mogalakwena I-Community Project, aflagship project with headquarters at the MokopaneEducation Multi-purpose Centre, is collaborationbetween Hewlett Packard (HP), the Limpopo ProvincialGovernment and Mogalakwena Municipality.

The Gauteng Online and the HP I-Community initiativeis also a notable example. This project has beeninitiated by the Gauteng Provincial Government andhas the stated objective of installing a network witha minimum of 25 PCs in every public school in theprovince. This project is a partnership betweenGauteng, HP, Sahara, IBM and Sun Microsystems.

In summary, it is evident that work has already beenundertaken, primarily in the G2G sphere, for examplein the Integrated Just ice Cluster on theimplementation of the e-Justice programme. In theDepartment of Home Affairs a Smartcard-ID is underdevelopment that focuses on the automation of fingerprints and the development of an electronic PopulationRegistry. The Government Communication andInformation Service (GCIS) provides a well-developedinformational portal on South African governmentservices, legislation, projects, speeches and eventsaccessible to the general public making provision forcivil participation in policy making.

Provincial government initiatives such as Gauteng

Online and the Cape Gateway in the Western Capealready provides for improved access to informationand service delivery. The introduction of a driver’slicense booking system through the Gauteng ProvincialGovernment (GPG) Contact Centre aims to make thisservice more conveniently available to citizens. TheCape Gateway provides citizens with access togovernment information through channels such aswalk-in-centres and a call centre that handles up to14,000 calls per month.

In the G2B domain of e-Government the South AfricanRevenue Services (SARS) e-filing already provides ameans to conduct transactions related to tax returnson the internet.


Coherent policy and strategyUntil there is a deliberate, coherent and clearlyunderstood and supported e-Government policy andstrategy in Government as a whole, it is unreasonableto expect attainment of durable results. A review ofexisting frameworks is currently underway and isaimed at developing a coherent policy framework.

Coordinated deliverye-Government initiatives are fragmented withingovernment. A major negative consequence of this isconfusion and at times, conflict about accountabilityand responsibility that result from the actual orperceived overlap of roles between departments.

Financial resource allocationThere is no dedicated budget allocation for the specificimplementation of e-Government in South Africa,yet. A number of initiatives are still run under separatebudgets. Coordination efforts have helped mitigateagainst this problem.

Integrated approachCollaboration among government departments andagencies remain an area for concern. The lack ofcollaboration has contributed to the failure to establishan intergovernmental institutional framework for theimplementation of e-Government. One of the keychallenges is to provide adequate support to theDPSA, the line department responsible for drivingthe e-Government agenda.


pg 75

4.4.3 Strategic imperatives and actionsThe following strategic imperatives have been identifiedas critical for ensuring the development andimplementation of e-Governance mechanisms topromote the Inclusive Information Society for SouthAfrica:

Phase 1Web Presencee-GovernmentPolicy Framework

(Batho PeleGateway Portal(BPGP) Phase IEnhancement)

Phase 2Interaction(transaction-basedservice)

Phase 3Transaction(Clustering ofservices)

Phase4Transformation(personalization &Maintenance)

Strategic Imperative: To ensure a seamless ICT enabled service delivery in Government by 2014

Target: At least 50% of the social Cluster services have access to a shared servicesdelivery database by 2010


DPSA, GCIS GITOC & SITA

DPSA, GITOC, SITA,

GITOC, NIA, SITA, COMSEC

NT, GITOC, SITA

Government Web sites Policy Frame-works – MISS; MIOS & OSS strategy.2001 Cabinet adopted an E-Govenment Policy DiscussionDocument. Batho Pele Gateway Projectwas initiated to provide staticinformation on govern-mentservices.Access channels are a toll freecall centre, Multi Purpose CommunityCentres (MPCCs), and the PublicInformation Terminals (PITs).

Authentication frameworkdevelopment (PKI) Transversal e-payment engine and e-security engineUse of Short Message Services (SMS)for citizens to inquire and governmentto inform. Government wide ITarchitecture A number of servicesoffered at national, provincial and localgovernments will be offered online.e-democracy (e-participation & e-voting)legislative framework – review &development (Privacy)

Clustering of related servicesirrespective of which governmentdepartment.Business Process Mapping & ModellingframeworkAuthentication frameworkimplementation (establishment of asingle Certification Authority)Home Affairs National IdentificationSystem (HANIS),issuing of smart cards

integration of backend systemsPersonalisationMaintenance and enhancements ofbackend systems

2 0 0 1 - 2 0 0 7

2007 - 2009

2 0 1 0 - 2 0 1 2

2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 4


4.5 Local Content Development

4.5.1 Key developments in the advancement oflocal content

Local content can be defined in the context of anInformation Society as “an expression of a communityor inhabitants’ locally created and adaptedinformation, knowledge and experience that is relevantto the community’s situation based on the social,economic, political, cultural and religious needs”.Using this definition, South Africa will prioritise localcontent development to the creation, promotion andpreservation of Indigenous Languages, Arts, Culture,Heritage and innovation including indigenousknowledge.

South Africa has made significant strides in thedevelopment of local talent in a number of scientificendeavours, in the areas of sports, writing, music,poetry and even dance styles. This can be seenthrough the number of Olympic winners and Nobellaureates in some of these areas. Some of theseachievements are a reflection of progress with regardsto the Information Society. The brilliance and flairthat has been demonstrated in the above areas hasnot been adequately acknowledged when it comes toICT innovations.

Corporations in developed countries have a dominantstake in the ownership of ICTs and the contentdisseminated through such technologies. As a resultlocal content faces intense competition. Extensivefinancial and other resources are used to push non-local or g lobal content through te lev is ionprogramming, advertising and the spread of globalbrands. Some of these corporations have registeredsoftware patents in violation of the Patents Act 57 of1978 section 25(2).

This means that citizens in developing countries areflooded with ideas, values and cultures that areforeign to them. Unless developing countries findways to match the foreign content there is a realdanger that local cultural heritage may be underminedor overwhelmed.

As instruments of empowerment, ICTs shouldcommunicate locally relevant messages, informationand knowledge. This means providing opportunitiesfor local people to interact and communicate witheach other, expressing their own ideas, knowledge

and cultures in their own languages. Local contentis critical for the promotion of cultural and linguisticdiversity as well as the affirmation of cultural identityand heritage.

The appropriate policy regime, vibrant indigenousknowledge systems and the application of technologiesthat support cultural and linguistic diversity arethree mutually reinforcing measures that countriescan employ in the development and promotion oflocal content.

Digitisation of the available local content is a criticalstep highlighted in both the WSIS Plan of Action andTunis Agenda for the Information Society. SouthAfrica needs to have a comprehensive nationalprogramme to ensure the digitisation of the availablelocal content.

The policy regime in South Africa is informed by thecountry’s Constitution that places a high value onthe country’s diversity in terms of its non-racial,multi-cultural and multi-linguistic character. Aprogressive policy and legislative framework has beendeveloped to give effect to the requirements of theConstitution.

The White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage of1998 provides the broad basis for the developmentof culturally relevant and diverse local content. Someof the key principles that inform the approach setout in the White Paper include a focus on nationbuilding, multi-lingualism, diversity and participation.It further provides for the development of arts, cultureand heritage infrastructure, funding mechanisms,human resource development and the protection ofthe rights of artists.

A number of other policy measures have since beenadopted that encourage local content developmentthrough the protection of and promotion of localcontent specific areas such as broadcasting localcontent. Legislation that seeks to promote localcontent in specific areas includes the following:


pg 77

Table 5: Legislation related to local content promotion

L e g i s l a t i o n Objectives

It provides for the preservation,development, foster ing andextension of culture in theRepublic by planning, organising,coordinat ing and prov id ingfacilities from the utilisation ofle isure and for non-formaleducation, for the developmentand promotion of cultural relationswith other countries, and for theestablishment of regional councilsfor cultural affairs.

This draft White Paper sets outgovernment policy for establishingthe optimum funding arrange-ments and institutional frame-works for the creation, promotionand protection of South Africanarts, culture, heritage and theassociated practitioners.

Its aims are to –

· promote the equitable use of the 11 off icial languages;

· facilitate equitable access to government services, knowledgeand information;

· ensure redress for the prev-iously marginalized official indigenous languages;

· initiate and sustain a vibrant discourse on multilingualism with all language communities;

· encourage the learning of otherofficial indigenous languages to promote national unity, andlinguistic and cultural diversity;and

· promote good languagemanage-ment for efficient public serviceadministration to meet client expecta t ions and needs .


NationalArts CouncilAct, 1997

NationalCouncil forLibrary andInformationServices Act6, of 2001

The Act established the NationalArts Council. The organisation isresponsib le for deve loping,promoting and supporting theArts. It is also responsible forpolicy research and advise theMinister on Arts policy matters.

The Act established the NationalC o u n c i l f o r L i b r a r y a n dInformation Services. The objectiveof the Council is to advise theMinister and the Minister ofEducation on matters relating tolibrary and information servicesin order to-(a) Support and stimulate thesocio-economic, educational,cultural, recreational, scientificresearch, technological andinformation development of allcommunities in the country; and(b) Provide optimal access torelevant information to everyperson in an economic and cost-effective manner.

The Ac t p rov ides f o r theestablishment of a NationalArchives and Record Service; theproper management and care ofthe records of governmentalbodies; and the preservation anduse of a national archival heritage.

The objectives of the Act is tointroduce an integrated andinteract i ve sys tem for themanagement of the nationalheritage resources; promote goodgovernment at all levels, andempower civil society to nurtureand conserve their heritageresources so that they may bebequeathed to future generations;

NationalArchives andRecordsServicesACT 43,1996

SouthAfricanResourceAgency Act25, 1999

CulturePromotionAct 35, of1983 asemended bythe CulturePromotionAct 59, of1998

White Paperon Arts,Culture andHeritage,1996

NationalLanguageFramework,2003


Vibrant Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) servesas the life blood for the development of local contentthat preserves and promotes cultural, educationaland scientific information and knowledge. Intensiveresearch on the development of IKS has beenundertaken nationally in collaboration withinternational experts. The IKS phenomenon is evolvingfast and has huge growth potential. The publicationof an IKS Policy provides further impetus for thedevelopment of local content based on IKS.

Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) hasbeen a common and regular topic of the PIAC onISAD since its first sitting in 2001.Follow up to that,the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI)had produced research documents on open sourceand open standards in 2002. Subsequent to thisGovernment IT Officers Council (GITOC) submitteda FLOSS strategy in cabinet which was noted.

Among the main elements highlighted in the NACIOSS research documents are the fol lowing:· Open software and open standards in S.A is a

critical issue to address the digital divide. It add-resses the socio-economic factors.

· Government is spending excessive expenditures on proprietary software and licenses, and it beinga great spender on software, OSS has become more and more an option that will promote localcontent in terms of software development, exportsetc.

· South African government has a key role to play in accelerating universal access and providing leadership for the African Continent

· Provision of Open Software training and supportis essential

· The open standards make it possible for open andproprietary software to these standards to inter-operate and exchange data.


NationalHeritageCouncil Act,1999

lay down general principles forgoverning heritage resourcesmanagement throughout theRepublic; introduce an integratedsystem for the identification,assessment and management ofthe heritage resources of SouthAfrica; establish the South AfricanHer i tage Resources Agencytogether with its Council tocoordinate and promote themanagement of heritage resourcesat national level.

The Act established theoverarching body for other artsand culture organisations, theNational Heritage Council. Itsduties are to establish aframework and institution thatcoordinate the heritage sector:including archives, museums,heritage resources, geographicalnames and libraries. The Councilserves as a policy advisory bodyto the Minister, lobby for and raiseadditional funding, determinestrategy and promote internationalliaison.

The Act established the NationalFilm and Video Foundation tocoordinate and promote theindustry.

Section 53 provides for theimposition of specific broadcastinglicense conditions regarding localtelevision content and SouthAfrican music and regulationsthereto.

NationalFilm andVideoFoundationAct, 1997

IndependentBroadcastingAct 153, of1993

BroadcastingAct 4 of1999 asamended

The key objective of the Act,amongst others, is to encouraget h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f l o c a lprogramming content.The publicservice provided by SABC mustmake services available to SouthAfricans in all official languages.


Patent Act57, 1978

Currently quota allocation for localcontent broadcasting for SABC 1and 2 is at 55% and 35% forSABC 3.

Chapter 5, subsection 25(f) of theAc t c o r r e c t l y f o rb i d s theregistration of software patents.


pg 79

· Open software has a lot of capabilities to promotelocal content in all respect.

On the other hand, in 2003, the Department ofCommunication (DOC) did a feasibility study on theuse and application of FLOSS for service delivery,universal access and information sharing. Again, in2004, PIAC on ISAD discussed the OSS at length andthe further explored the benefits of OSS in SouthAfrica and the broader continent. The OSSpolicy/strategy has since been approved by Cabinetin February 2007.

Local Content and PNC Priority AreasThe challenges of development in the country needinnovate and modern ways to address socio-economicchallenges that currently exists and ICTs can play acentral role in that regard. It is however importantto then ensure that content dissemination throughthis technologies is relevant and local. To a largeextent, this means that ICTs need to be conveyors oflocally relevant messages and information. They needto provide opportunities for local people to interactand communicate with each other, expressing theirown ideas, knowledge and culture in their ownlanguages. This should also contribute to socio,economic and political development.It is equally important to demonstrate the crosscutting nature of local content as far as other sectorof the PNC on ISAD are concerned. The diversificationnature of South African society requires that contentbe developed accordingly. There are basic elementsthat require attention when local content is providedin other sectors. Despite the fact that English isrecognised as the language of commerce and science,it was spoken by only 8, 2% of South Africans athome in 2001, an even lower percentage than in 1996(8, 6%). By contrast, nearly a quarter of the populationgave isiZulu as their home language. This is morethan for the five least-spoken official home languages(Sesotho, Xitsonga, siSwati, Tshivenda and isiNdebele)put together (19%). This demonstrates that Africanlanguages are dominant in the country .

In these days South African government websitesprovide documents that are relevant for everyday lifeof the citizens from social grants forms, employmentforms, tax returns etc. The provision of governmentinformation to South African citizens has then becomevery critical to the lively hood of the people of thecountry. It is then important that these websites do

not further create the digital divide by not providinginformation in English only.

It is a Human Right to have access to informationthat is relevant to your language as this is also upheldby the constitution as the supreme law of the country.e-Government will not be beneficial to South Africancitizens if there are language barriers in accessingthe relevant information. Issues of affordability todownload Government information also come intoplay as access goes beyond Internet access facilitiesbut whether it is affordable to download documents.

Primary health care has been recognised as onedevelopmental factor to ensure South African citizensreceive proper health care. Provision of healthinformation differs from one province to another aswell in different district to district. How do we thenas a country ensure that we tailor make informationprovision channels to be relevant to differentcommunities and languages, use of familiar concepts,and incorporation of the indigenous knowledgeinformation to the mainstream of health information.

The cost of technology is beyond reach even for peoplethat are perceived to be middle income earners. Thistherefore perpetuate the digital divide in the countrybetween the haves and have not’s.

South Africa has entrepreneurs that are not part ofthe mainstream SMME and part of an inclusiveInformation Society is to ensure that the use ofInformation and Communication Technologies benefitsall South African entrepreneurs to develop theirbusinesses. Introducing alternative technologies thatwould reduce the cost of ICT is critical for the growthand efficiency of SMME.

If a country can invest in the development ofindigenous technology that would relate to SouthAfrica’s situation especially in terms of languagesthen all the SMME in the country including those inthe informal sector will have access to ICT.

The relevance of local content and education is veryimportant in this country given the history of thecountry. This was also demonstrated in the promotionof culture, heritage and art. Education curriculum,especially history reflected other heroes which manySouth African children did not identify with.


It also elevated everything that was western at theexpense of the local history and pride. Areas likeindigenous knowledge were never recognised in theeducation system. In the building of the InformationSociety it is then critical for the education system toreflect the diversity of the country by integrating intothe curriculum South African art, cultures, heritageand our indigenous knowledge.

It is acknowledged that the development of the SouthAfrican local content sector has great potential thatis likely to unlock a number of social and economicopportunities in the promotion of arts, tourism andculture, multilingualism, heritage development,innovation and the production of software andhardware for IKS.

There are currently many initiatives at various stagesof implementation. Lessons learnt from these projectsshould be shared widely to develop a growingknowledge base on local content development andpromotion. In some instances these projects mayhave commercial value that can be exploited so thatrevenues that are generated can be reinvested infuture projects of a similar nature.

4.5.2 Key ChallengesHigh costs and disparities in content developmentand other servicesThe limited support for developing local languagecontent for web sites is hampering diffusion ofeducational and development programmes throughInternet mediated applications. The high fixed costsfor content creation and development often deterpotential entrepreneurs from investing in this sector.

Lack of promotion of indigenous languagesThe Constitution of the country promotes the use ofindigenous languages but there are delays topromulgate of the language bill hampers all otherefforts aimed at promoting indigenous languages.Language Policy Framework published in 2003 is apolicy guideline and government departments andother relevant agencies are not compelled to useSouth African languages in their operations. Thismakes the creation, promotion and preservation oflocal content a demanding challenge in the contextof a country in which cultural expression by themajority of the population was suppressed.

Coordination and integration of programmes acrosssectorsThe impact of initiatives and programmes in localcontent will not be realised unless the differentspheres of government and departments and agencieswork together. Promotion of local content should bedone in a coherent manner. Improved coordinationcan deliver additional benefits such as the creationand sharing of new knowledge among governmentofficials and practitioners.

Lack of sustainable funding modelsIt is critical to explore various funding models thatcan sustain local content development. Many countriesthat have committed resources to local culturalindustries are now leading the way in exporting theircontent, especially the film industry.

Improved planning, coordination, monitoring andevaluation of initiativesAssessing the impact of policies, IKS and technologymeasures on the growth and development of localcultural can provide information on how tocontinuously improve these measures. Unfortunately,current monitoring, evaluation and impact assessmentinitiatives are under-developed. The lack of effectiveand integrated planning practices and the weakimplementation capacity further hamper the growthand development of the local content sector.

4.5.3 Strategic imperat ives and act ions

The following strategic imperatives have been identifiedas important for the development of local content insupport of the creation of an Inclusive InformationSociety:


pg 81

Strategic Imperatives:· Enactment of the National Language Act to promote multilingualism.· Development of skills for the creation, storage and sharing of information amongst different

communities including appropriate software and hardware development

Enact the SouthAfrican LanguageBill

Develop nationaldigitisationprogramme

Encourage andpromote interestof youth instudying scienceand technology

Benchmark andexplore bestpractices on localcontentdevelopment

Develop aknowledgemanagementstrategy in thecountry

Active oppositionto the patentingof software,algorithms andstandards


Department of Arts and CulturePan South African Language Board

Department of Arts and CulturePrivate Sector Trade Unions

N a t i o n a l H e r i t a g e C o u n c i lDepartment of Arts and CultureAcademic InstitutionsPrivate SectorPNC

Department of EducationDepartment of LabourDepartment Trade and IndustryPNC

Department of Arts and CultureDepartment of LabourDepartment of Trade and IndustryPNC

DPLG, MEC’s of Arts and Culturein all the provinces

Department of Trade and Industry

Development of language policiesin all government institutions

Implementation language policiesin all government institutionsDevelopment and implementationof language polices in otherinstitutions

At least 20% of heritage institutionsto be digitised byAll heritage institutions to bedigitised

All heritage institutions to bedigitised in all South Africanlanguages

To have about 30% of local contentdevelopers using indigenoustechnologies

Establish an international team ofexperts from different countries whoare pioneers in local contentdevelopment

Develop a knowledge managementas well as skills transfer strategyfrom the leading provinces

Amend Patent to cover the loopholesin the policy

2011

2010

2010

2014

2010

2010

2010

2010


4.6 e-Documentation4.6.1. Key Developments in e-Documentation

Governmental institutions are established to rendera large number of public services which promote thegeneral welfare of society. To achieve this end, avirtuous cycle of information provision and documentexchange between Government institutions,Government and Citizens as well as Government andbusiness unfolds through a public administrationsystem.

When rendering a service to citizens and businessentrepreneurs, the common modus operandi ingovernment institutions is for officials to captureservice application information on a paper documentor a printed form and complete it by hand or manually.A separate form has to be filled out for each andevery service application by citizens, governmentemployees and businesses. The problems which havemanifested as a result of paper based documentationinclude amongst others: information kept in files andnot widely accessible to all, abundance of documentsand lack of storage space; high storage costs, loss ofdocumentation, prolonged information retrieval and

longer turn around time in delivery of services,decentralised administrative record systems ofGovernment departments which are not interlinkedto inform the development of integrated services.

Currently government documents are locked into apropriety format. Hence it longevity and availabilityof government documents and information cannotbe guaranteed.The current propriety format does notsupport the easy exchange of information betweendifferent systems. The challenge therefore is thatelectronic documentation is as useful as a paperdocument unless we adopt open standards thatallow for the seamless flow of information acrosssystems.

The advent of Information and CommunicationTechnology (ICT) tools such as personal computersand communication networks has resulted in moreconvenient ways to store information, view documentson screen instead of printing them,

Carefulmanagement offree tradeagreements andlocal/international legislativeenvironments toensure thepreservation andgrowth of localcontent

Co-ordination andintegration ofexistinginnovationinitiatives likethose promotedthrough theNational AdvisoryCouncil ofInnovation


Department of Trade and IndustryDepartment of Arts and Culture

Department of Arts and CulturePrivate sectorPhilanthropic agenciesLabourCommunity based OrganizationsCivil Society

Establish a special commission tostudy trade agreements as theyrelate to South Africa’s development

Develop a database with all the localcontent related initiative,programmes in the country

2010

2010


pg 83

thereby saving paper and the room required to storethe printed copies. ICTs also enable the efficientdistribution and exchange of information betweenGovernment and Business (G2B), Government andCitizens (G2C) as well as amongst Governmentinstitutions (G2G). Moreover, it allows both citizensand entrepreneurs the opportunity to solicitinformation and interact with government seven daysa week and 24 hours a day online.

Internationally, government departments in variouscountries have put ICT applications in place thatconvert a paper based textual record into an electronicformat (e.g. a computer file) to be used in acomputerized form without being printed. Throughemploying ICT tools, documents that have beenscanned, or were originally created on a computerare stored electronically in a machine processableform to allow for a wide distribution, and instantinformation search. These documents are thenreferred to as electronic documents. HTML and PDFare well known electronic document formats.The definition of E-Documentation entails: Theprocesses of ensuring that document generation,capturing, processing, storage and retrieval istransformed from manual to electronic form. Itincludes ensuring:

· Availability of electronic public service applicationforms (scanned and or computerized forms)

· Completion of public service forms on-line· Capturing of citizenship and public service

information electronically· Processing of public service application forms as

supported by technological systems· Storage of citizenship and public service documents

electronically· Retrieval of citizenship and public service inform-

ation electronically· Distribution and exchange of citizenship and public

service information (securely) electronically

4.6.2. e-Documentation InitiativesOne of the commonly used document in the countryas a prerequisite for any person to have access togovernment service is an enabling document. Thesedocuments include ID, passport, birth, marriage anddeath certificate, used to verify the identity andcitizenship of a recipient of government services.

Countries such as Malaysia and Australia have alsomade commendable inroad in terms of applying e-documentation processes when compiling enablingdocuments thereby improving the turn around timein providing services to their citizens. The Malaysiansintroduced the smartcard and the Australians the e-passport to address to manage national security moreeffectively, improve government services; ensuresecurity of information; combat fraud and enhanceborder control and flow of immigrants in the respectivecountries. As a result of introducing electronicenabling documents, Malaysia was able to exchangeidentity and citizenship information seamlessly acrossall Government departments in the country. SouthAfrica has also followed suite and introduced variousICT applications such as the track and trace,Integrated electronic document management system,e-passport with a view to efficiently process enablingdocuments. Nonetheless, exchange of thesedocuments across government departments needsto be strengthened to support the processing of publicservice applications and delivery of services.

In the endeavour to modernize its business processes,the South African Government has embarked onvarious initiatives to convert paper based manualprocessing of documents and ensure that documentsare generated, sent, received or stored by electronicmeans. However minimal impact is realised due tothe fact that this happens in a in an uncoordinated,non-integrated and a fragmented manner. As a resultone of the service delivery areas that have beenaffected is the ability of government to exchangeinformation relating to public service and enablingdocuments, anytime and anywhere.

National, Provincial and local government hasembarked on developing government websites withrelevant information for the public. These websitehave vast electronic documentation that the publiccan peruse focusing on government information,policies and legislation at a touch of a button. Thesewebsites have made avai lable to public indownloadable government service forms, however,these forms can not be completed on line and thisinformation can not be processed immediately.Cabinet has created an enabling environment for theuse of e-documentation through the promulgation ofthe Electronic Communication and Transaction Actof 2002.


The Act encourages public and private bodies uptakeand usage of public services by electronic means (e-government services); acceptance of electronic filingand issuing of electronic documents as well aselectronic communications and transactions withpublic and private bodies.

4.6.3.Key ChallengesDespite all the success of introducing ICTs into thework of government, challenges still remain, namely:managing the exit of tacit knowledge from governmentas there is a high turnover rate; development of onlineand transactional services, which allows paper lessdocument generation and processing in additionprompt processing, storage and seamless exchangeof enabling documents (ID information) acrossgovernment.

It would be advisable for the South African governmentto embark on e-documentation roll out and integrationacross government. This would also bolster theachievement of interactive and transactional services(phase two of e-government) and clustering of services(phase 3) as envisaged in the (Electronic Government-IT policy Framework, 2001).

4.6.4 Strategic Imperatives and ActionsIn light of the challenges outlined above, it isimperative to :

· Bring about an interoperable, integrated e-documentation system in Government that

2.1.1 Ensure that enabling documents and publicservice documents are generated, sent, received,stored by electronic means

2.1.2 To enable a co-ordinated implementation of government electronic documentation initiatives toenable an inter-operable and seamless exchange ofcitizens documents

2.1.3 Enable secure electronic exchange of enablingdocuments and public service documents betweenGovernment and Business (G2B), Government andCitizens (G2C) as well as amongst Governmentinstitutions (G2G)


pg 85

Phase 1:Ensure thatcitzens enablingdocuments andpublic servicedocuments aregenerated, sent,captured, storedby electronicmeans

StrategicObjectives

Activities Target Time Frame

2009It includes ensuring:· Availability of electronic public

service application forms (scan-ned and or computerised forms)

· Completion of public service forms on-line

· Capturing of citizenship and public service information electronically

· Processing of public service application forms as supported by technological systems

· Storage of citizenship and publicservice documents electronically

· Retrieval of citizenship and publicservice information electronically

· Distribution and exchange of citizenship and public service information (securely) electro-nically

· Implementation ofthe Department ofHome Affairs Trackand Trace Implem-entation of the Dep-

arment of Home Affairs EDMS

Phase 2:To enable a Co-ordinatedimplementation ofgovernment elec-tronic document-ation initiativesto enable an inter-operable & seam-less exchange ofcitizensdocuments

2009· Register of all e-documentation initiativeswithin government.

· Encourage interoperability of govoernment departments e-documentat ion data bases

Establish an e-documentation ex-change forum withthe view to :

· Identify gaps· Support

requirements· Best practice


CHAPTER FIVE:The Provincial Information Society Model

5.1 Introduction5.1.1 Why the Provincial Information Society ModelThe purpose of the Provincial information societyModel is to provide guidelines and to assist provincialgovernments to plan for and implement the ISADPlan and bring about an Inclusive Information Societyin their provinces.The model therefore encompasses:

· A broad Concept of what the Information Societyis in the concept of a province, and its implicationfor government(Society)

· A set of areas to focus on in the form of organiz-ational structures to be adopted and programs ofactivities to be undertaken.

5.2 Why Provincial governments need a Provincial Model

Governments – like most organisations – have beenusing Information and Communication technologies(ICTs) for years. But recently the need for ICTs totake a more central role has become clear. This isbecause the kinds of things that computers can do

have changed. This has, in turn started to changesociety, including here in South Africa. Social andcommercial interaction increasingly depends on theexchange of information, rather than physical goodsor services. These technological and social changeshave signi f icant economic impacts. Cit izenexpectations of the reach and effectiveness ofgovernment service delivery shift up. Like otherorganisations, provincial governments have toconsistently do more with less to keep overheads incheck and reduce service request turn around times.

5.3 The Process of developing the Provincial ISAD Model

The PNC on ISAD established the ProvincialInformation Society Working Group in parallel to thenat ional ISAD Plan deve lopment , wi th anunderstanding that the National ISAD Plan shouldinclude provincial implementation plans for theinformation society.

StrategicObjectives

Activities Target Time Frame

Phase 3:To ensure secureelectronic exch-ange of enablingdocuments andpublic service doc-uments betweenG2B, G2C andG2G

2014· To enable secure electronic exchange of enabling documen-tation and public service bet-ween G2C

· To enable secure electronic exchange of enabling documen-tation and public service between G2G

· To enable secure electronic exchange of enabling document-ation and public service bet-ween G2B

Encourage adherance to openstan-dards.

Establishment of intero-perablelindages amongst departmentswhich require similardocumentation to rendergovernment services to citi-zens.(G2C)

Department of Home affairs toform interop-erable linkageswith relevant depart-mentsaround their EDMS. (G2G)

Department ofHome affairs to forminteroperable linkages withbus-iness around theirEDMS.(G2B)


pg 87

The Terms of Reference of the working group was todevelop the provincial ISAD plan Model, which willserve as guidelines for the development of theprovincial ISAD Plans.The Working Group consists of four provinces thatthe PNC has identified as early adopters in the processof building an Inclusive Information Society. Theseare the Western Cape, the Northern Cape, Limpopoand the North West province.

5.4 Provincial Information Society and SharedGrowth

Poverty is not merely a lack of income, but alsoincludes the deprivation of basic capabilities andlack of access to education, healthcare, naturalresources, employment, land and credit, politicalparticipation, services, and infrastructure. Morebroadly still, poverty can be seen as being deprivedof the information needed to participate in widersociety at the local, national and global level. If byimplication persistent poverty is associated with aknowledge gap, then this suggests a need for policiesthat encourage greater communication andinformation flows within and between communitiesand countries. The digital information divide is tosome extent a cause as well as a consequence ofpoverty. One of the possible ways to remedy this isthrough the expanded use of ICTs by ProvincialGovernments, to aid the speedy implementation of,and in line with their Provincial Growth andDevelopment Strategies.

‘Shared growth’ is a development strategy that viewspoverty reduction and economic growth asinterdependent goals over the medium to long term.This perspective holds that though higher levels ofeconomic growth are essential to reducing poverty,economic growth will not by itself ensure that theoverall level of poverty is reduced. Policies are neededthat will both ensure high levels of economic growthand ensure that this significantly impacts poverty.

5.5 The KEY role of provinces and the three focus areas of the Information Society

Provinces are a critical structural as well as geographicrole player in the drive for economic development. Inan increasingly globalised world, national policyframeworks become more similar due to the commoninternational capital market, multilateral trade

agreements and pressure from the IMF and WorldBank. As a result, national borders are less importantand regional characteristics are becoming increasinglysignificant. Given the shift towards knowledge as thebasic currency of economic activity, provincialeconomic growth and development strategies mustbecome grounded in an understanding of theinformation society. To ignore it would be to condemncommunities to being left behind in a changing world.This obviously cannot be the only focus; physicalneeds cannot be provided using the Internet.

But the efficient and effective delivery of roads,houses, schools, water, sanitation, health care andother basic needs can be much improved in aconnected and informed community. In turn, thesebasic building blocks together with the effective useof ICTs can greatly assist the further development ofhuman capital, to create a virtuous cycle that ratchetsup the pace of social and economic development. Theappropriate approach is therefore to strike a balancebetween using ICTs to support service delivery andpromoting the use of ICTs by business and societyat large. An information society mindset mustpermeate growth and development strategies, planningand delivery.

But provincial governments must also be clear aboutwhat they can actually achieve; whilst they havecontrol over their ICT strategies, they can onlyinfluence and nurture the coming into being of aninformation society. There are three key pillars thatprovincial governments need to focus on, based ontheir constitutional mandate.

These are:· Broad and equitable access to the infrastructure

(telecommunications networks) and tools (computerhardware and software).

· A significant and growing level of skills in the form of basic literacy, computer literacy, information literacy and business literacy.

· A significant and growing amount of digital content(information and the applications – like databases– that deliver it) that is locally relevant.

Provincial governments have a critical and uniquerole to play by supporting and promoting these pillars.


Whilst social partners in business and civil societymay promote specific elements of the informationsociety through their business activities (for example,telecommunications firms expanding networks thatprovide access, or NGOs redistributing refurbishedcomputers), only government can take a holistic view,champion the benefits, and support the factorconditions.

National government will take a leadership role bypromoting the concept and benefits of an informationsociety, ensuring that a conducive legislativeenvironment exists, establishing boundaries andguidelines that enforce and co-coordinate provincialprograms, and offering incentives. But it is provinces,not national government, that deliver many of theservices that support these pillars, through theirapproach to infrastructure provision, delivery of socialservices and economic development activities.Municipal governments also have a role to play,though not all municipalities have the capacity tomeet this mandate.

5.6 What this means for the way that provincialgovernments set their priorit ies:

Three Focus AreasThe whole purpose of democratic government is toregulate society for the common good and to provideservices equitably, especially those that cannot beprovided through market forces. And in doing sogovernment gives an important lead to the directionof social and economic development. In South Africa,all post-1994 governments have taken this on as anexplicit responsibility.

From an e-government perspective, government musttherefore have a strategy that focuses on three areas:

· The use of ICTs for the internal administration ofgovernment, and the delivery of services. This isessentially a more traditional IT strategy, thoughits major focus will be on improving the efficiencyof government processes, and enabling governmentdepartments to co-ordinate and harmonise theiractivities.

· The use of ICTs to communicate with citizens andbusiness; for example, giving information about and access to services; improving the reach and effectiveness of service delivery; enabling inform-ation and financial transactions; and fostering

democracy through citizen participation. In doingso, government will also need to promote accessto ICTs, so that everyone can benefit from the opportunities within the information society, there-

by reducing the digital divide. Another aspect of this drive for better communication is the need for provincial government departments to better communicate with each other, and for different spheres of government to better communicate andexchange in format ion wi th each other .

· The role of ICTs in bringing about social and eco-nomic development. Government must face up toits leadership role as a consequence of it being amajor user of ICTs. Most of all this is about skills,but it must address the policy and regulatory env-ironment, and ensure that the Province has the infrastructure to allow its people to compete effect-ively in the knowledge economy.

5.7 The framework for the Provincial ModelIn developing the provincial ISAD plans focus shouldbe given to the socio-economic development status,with special focus to the following aspects. Otherpriorities as set out by the PGDS also need to beconsidered.

5.7.1 Socio-economic aspects· Demographics· Human Development Index· High growth Sectors of the Province (as per the

PGDS)· Health· Education· Governance· SMME’s· Local Content· Special Groups

5.7.2 Institutional Architecture· Academic Institutions· Business· NGO’s

5.8 What Provincial governments need to doTwo goa ls have to be pursued together :

Goal 1: Design and implement an ICT strategythat supports the needs of the provincialadministration and uses ICTs to communicateand interact with citizens


pg 89

The initial emphasis should be on more internallydirected programs like:

· Use ICTs to manage and improve internal proces-ses, as well as to communicate and transact withcitizens and businesses.

· Rationalise administration through sharing of information and resources.

· Use technology to enhance the access to and delivery of services to citizens and businesses.

· Re-organise and align skills, roles and responsib-ilities to fit the changed working environment.

· Adopt a developmental perspective that puts digitaltechnologies at the service of economic growth and development.

· Take a leading position in internal strategy and policy development

Goal 2: Develop a program that promotes andnurtures the benefits of living in an informationsocietyOver time, effort should shift towards more outwardlydirected programs, like:· Ensure that school learners make use of ICTs

dur ing the course o f the i r educat ion .· Make basic access to computers and the Internet

available to everyone – ideally for free – through public facilities such as libraries and community

centres.· Make affordable computers available to small

businesses, NGOs and individuals through the establishment of refurbishment and redistributioncentres.

· Promote the expansion (reach) of telecommunications networks, and lower the costs associatedwith using them, by supporting central governmentin its efforts to appropriately regulate the telecom-munications sector, and participate in the establishment of municipal area networks by localgovernment authorities.

· Promote and provide computer and information literacy alongside basic literacy.

· Promote and support the use of ICTs by businesses– what ever their size and industry.

· Promote and support the ICT industry itself; ensurethe supply of skills and support clustering, exportand other initiatives.

· Promote and support knowledge-intensive industries and clusters, linked to local innovation,R&D and technology transfer.

· Promote and support the creation of locally relevantonline content and its consumption.

5.9 How a provincial government ICT depart-ment should be organised to do this

These two goals have significant implications for theway in which the ICT function in provincialgovernments is located and organised. The range ofthe above set of activities means that it cannot be adistributed or line function.

To be effective, it must:· Consolidate all of the ICT, telecommunications,

and related functions into one department.· Have the authority, mandate and resources across

the range of government departments and activities; it must be able to influence and align the de l ivery p lans o f each department .

· Have the capacity to both support the ICT requirements of other departments and to influenceand lead the way in which other departments dothings and plan to do things.

· Be able to influence the provincial growth and development strategy.

It cannot do this if it is fragmented across a numberof departments, or located far from the locus of power.Instead, the redefined ICT department should belocated in the Office of the Premier, and report to theprovincial director general. This requires a shift ofthe role, function and position of the ICT departmentfrom that of an internal service provider to that of astrategic change agent with influence and authorityacross al l departments within government.

Essentially, Provincial ICT Departments must reinventthemselves, and embrace the Information Society byadopting new ways of doing things, new ways ofworking, and continually examining and improvingtheir own processes, efficiency and impact. Thischange in the way that government works can beused to influence the agencies that government workswith, and society as a whole.


CHAPTER SIX:ConclusionsThe purpose of the ISAD Plan is to articulate a visionfor the type of inclusive Information Society thatSouth Africa aspires to become and to provide aroadmap to guide the coordination and integrationof all initiatives contributing to the building of aninclusive Information Society. Through thecoordination and integration of the Pillars and PriorityFocus Areas in the respective lead Departmentsthrough the FOSAD ISAD Cluster, the PNC expectsthat ISAD Plan will be accelerated in South Africa.

Several departments at National and Provincial levelhave already begun to focus their work on mattersrelated to ISAD. In particular, Government throughCabinets approval of the Institutional Arrangementsarticulated in Pillar Nine established the FOSADISAD Cluster for the implementation of the ISADPlan.

In view of the dynamic nature of the emerginginformation society, it is anticipated that the ISADPlan will be a “living” document. Its progressiveimplementation will serve to generate an atmosphereof shared commitment and success towards the

strategic objectives of the ISAD Plan. Underpinnedby the National 2014 Vision and guided by theReconstruction and Development Programme, theplan translates South Africa’s political commitmentto the building of an inclusive Information Societyinto a tangible plan to move South Africa from theIndustr ia l Age into the In format ion Age .

Government’s recognition of the importance of ICTsas a tool for social and economic development, throughthis plan, presents the context from which the spheresof Government can now begin to align and integratetheir ICT work for the coordinated development ofthe inclusive Information Society.

The work of now building the inclusive InformationSociety will be continuously monitored and measuredfor the impact it is making on social and economicdevelopment. Future volumes of the ISAD plan, willdetail approaches to accelerate ISAD across all thesectors of South African society and economy, basedon the lessons learned from this first ISAD Plan ofSouth Africa.

Strategic Imperatives:· Provincial Information Society plans and implementation strategies

Development ofProvincialInformationsociety plans

Implementationof the provincialInformationSociety Plans


Lead Department PNC on ISADSupport Entities:NC,WC,NW and Limpopo provincialgovernments

Lead DepartmentNC,WC,NW and Limpopo provincialgovernments

Lead Department Each Province

Lead Department PNC on ISADand respective province

Finalised Provincial InformationSociety Model

Provincial Information society plansof at least this provinces NC,WC,NWand Limpopo provincialgovernments

Provincial Information society plansthe remaining provinces

All provinces have ProvincialInformation Society programmes

June 2007

March 2007

March 2008

March 2010


pg 91

References

African Ventures, 2002, ‘Financial assessment ofUnder-Serviced Area Licences,’ Commissioned byIDRC, Johannesburg.

BMI-TechKnowledge, 2004, “CommunicationHandbook”, Johannesburg.

Bamako, 2002 “Elements and Principles of theInformation Society”http://www.itu.int/osg/spu/wsisthemes/Access/B a c k g r o u n d P a p e r / I S % 2 0 P r i n c i p l e s . p d f

Department of Communications, 2004, “PolicyAnnouncement by the Minister of Communications,Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri”, Press Statement,Department of Communications, Pretoria, September2004.

Department for International Development, 2001,“Internet Costs Study: The costs of Internet accessin developing countries”. Prepared for DFID byAntelope Consulting.

Department of Trade and Industry, 2003, MediumTerm S t ra t egy F ramework , South A f r i ca

Department of Trade and Industry, 2000, ‘NationalStrategy for the Development and Support ofFranchising in South Africa’, Franchising SteeringCommittee , The DTI , June, South Afr ica .

Department of Trade and Industry, undated,‘Integrated Strategies to Support Small BusinessDevelopment: Turbo Charging Service Delivery’, ED-Unit, Pretoria, South Africa.

Digital Opportunity Initiative, 2000, “Creating aDevelopment Dynamic: Final Report of the DigitalOpportunity Initiative”, Accenture, Markle Foundation,Un i ted Nat ions Deve lopment Programme.

Efficient Group, 2004, “An International Comparisonof South African Telecommunications Costs and thePossible Effect of Telecommunications on EconomicPerformance and Report on Telkom’s FinancialStatements and Comparison with Selected Local andInternational Companies”, Efficient Group, Waterkloof.

European Commission, 2002, “e-Europe 2005: Aninformation society for all”, Brussels.

European Commission, 2001, “e-Inclusion: TheInformation Society’s Potential for Social Inclusionin Europe”, Brussels.

ICT Empowerment Charter Working Group, 2004,“The ICT Charter : F ina l Document” , ICTE m p o w e r m e n t C h a r t e r W o r k i n g G r o u p ,Johannesburg.

ITU, 2004, “African Telecommunication Indicators”,International Telecommunication Union, Geneva.

ITU, 2004, “The Portable Internet, Internet Report”,International Telecommunication Union, Geneva.

ITU, 2003, “World Development Indicators Report”,International Telecommunication Union, Geneva.

ITU, 2002, “World Telecommunications DevelopmentReport 2002: Reinventing Telecoms. Geneva”,Switzerland.

Stats SA, 2001, “Census 2001: Key Results”,Statistics South Africa, Pretoria,

United Nations Millennium Development Goals,2000, “UN Mil lennium Development Goals”

World Summit on the Information Society, 2003,“Declaration of Principles”.

World Summit on the Information Society, 2003,“Plan of Action”.

World Summit on the Information Society, 2005,“Tunis Agenda for the Information Society”.

World Summit on the Information Society, 2005,“Tunis Commitment”.


Legislation

· Broadcasting Act 4 of 1999 as amended

· Culture Promotion Act 35, of 1983 as emended bythe Culture Promotion Act 59, o f 1998

· Electronic Communicat ions Act o f 2006

· Electronic Communications and Transaction Actof 2002

· Health Systems Trust: The National Primary HealthCare Facilities Survey 2003

· Independent Broadcasting Act 153, of 1993

· National Arts Council Act, 1997

· National Council for Library and Information Services Act 6, of 2001

· National Archives and Records Services Act 43, 1996

· National Heritage Council Act, 1999

· National Film and Video Foundation Act, 1997

· Law Commission Issue Paper on PrivacyPatent Act 57, 1978

· Promotion of Access to Information Act

· Public Service Act

· South African Resource Agency Act 25, 1999

· The National Health Act No 61, of 2003

· The promotion of access to Information Act


pg 93

Notes


Notes

ackowledgements - dtps.gov.za

Documents