Theme: “Advancing Service Delivery through ICT”
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is changing every facet of our lives. It is changing the way we do business, the way we live and, more importantly, the way we learn, with serious implications on our societal development. In this new Golden Age of technology, we see more and more an increasing rift between those who have access to ICT and those who do not. This digital divide has serious effects and results in educational divide and developmental implications. It transcends into broader societal if not intergenerational divide. This is hence a need for government to make decisive interventions by facilitating a dialogue that must result in government having more than a single option to build an inclusive information society. The Free State Provincial Government further recognises the initiatives taken through SA Connect and seek to facilitate processes for alignment with this and other broader national initiatives.
The Free State Provincial Government is already a beneficiary of the plans outlined by the Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services that seek to connect 580 clinics, more than 4 400 schools and 572 other government buildings over the course of 2015 as outlined in SA Connect. We have seen rapid deployments of broadband connectivity in rural areas which as the roll-out continues signal a heavy reliance on mobile technologies. The long term aim of SA Connect will be to expand the fixed line national broadband network across the country in order to meet ultimate targets.
In recognition of the imperative for broader alignment and the benefit of collective action, the Premier of the Free State asserted during the State of the Province Address 2015 that “…We will be facilitating a Provincial ICT Summit, in partnership with the private sector, to conduct an evaluation and assessment of the state of information and communication technologies in the Free State. A comprehensive review of the provincial IT strategy will be the outcome of this Summit” – Premier Ace Magashule, State of the Province Address (SOPA) 2015
The Purpose of the Free State ICT Summit 2015:
- Recognition of ICT as a Catalyst for National Development – ANC Election Manifesto; National Development Plan; Infrastructure Development Act (Strategic Infrastructure Project 15).
- The FSPG ICT Summit is an opportunity to establish strategic partnerships with ICT role-players in the province and beyond
- The need to define the Provincial Government’s take on ICT
- Contribute to the development of the ICT profession and growth of the ICT industry in the Province
- Outcome: Inputs into the Consolidated Provincial ICT Strategy!
To participate or exhibit in the Summit, please observe the below information:
For media participation, kindly RSVP before or on Monday, 1st June 2015 to Ms Pulane Tsupane on 071 3022 595 or pulane.tsupane@fspremier.gov.za
For further enquiries, please contact:
Mondli Mvambi
Cell: 082 043 3744
E-mail: mmvambi@gmail.com
