Introduction
Thank you programme director for the opportunity given. I will firstly like to thank the organisers of these prestigious awards which will not only be a glamorous event but our way of commending the great work that companies and individuals have put into ensuring the growth and success of the Information and communications technology (ICT) sector.
To the country, this sector still have a lot of uncharted waters and as a result has a lot to offer. We have witnessed its significant and growing contribution to our economy since its emergence in the early 1990s.
The Information on the 2012 Information and Communication Technology satellite account for South Africa was released in the first quarter of 2015 revealed some interesting findings. This satellite account provides an overview of the role that ICT plays in the South African economy and provides information on the ICT sector’s contribution to the South African economy both in terms of expenditure and output.
The report serves to provide for the understanding and monitoring of the impact of ICT and the ICT sector on the South African economy over time. This satellite account was compiled using the new rebased and benchmarked National Accounts that was released in November 2014.
Some of the key findings were:
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) amounted to R94 715 million
- ICT contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) amounted to 2,9%
- ICT contribution to gross value added (GVA) amounted to R 85 878 million
- Total domestic output at basic prices of the ICT sector amounted to R 241 318 million
- Estimated ICT taxes amounted to R 8 836 million
- ICT imports amounted to R 105 679 million
- ICT exports amounted to R 26 829 million
These findings clearly justifies why we are saying that the ICT sector is a game changer. In as much as we say it is a game changer, it brings with it enormous opportunities, for instance there is no limit that one can put on innovation in the ICT sector.
Government Policies towards Inclusion in the ICT Sector
Since the beginning of the democratic government in South Africa government has been deliberately coming up with inclusive policies. The ICT Sector has been no exception to government’s continued effort to address issues of inclusion and transformation. One such policy is the South Africa Connect Policy.
South Africa’s Broadband Policy was published on 6 December 2013. South Africa Connect gives expression to South Africa’s vision in the National Development Plan (NDP). South Africa Connect outlines a number of activities to improve broadband in South Africa.
The vision for broadband is that by 2020, 100% of South Africans will have access to broadband services at 2.5% or less of the population’s average monthly income. A four-pronged strategy, with both supply- and demand- side interventions will close the identified gaps between the current status of broadband in the country and the vision in the NDP. The four interventions are:
- Digital readiness – laying the foundations for South Africa’s broadband future
- Digital development – addressing needs and measuring sustainable roll-out
- Digital future – roadmap for public and private investment in the next generation broadband networks
- Digital opportunity – ensuring that South Africa harness the benefit of broadband based on skills, R&D, and innovation, entrepreneurship, and relevant content and applications
SACF ICT Achievers Awards
We acknowledge the importance of the categories which will be recognised during the awards as they cover the most fundamental aspects towards a complete development of the sector. Some of the categories which will be awarded during these awards include:
1) Entrepreneurship and SMME Development – An organisation which has assisted SMME’s in the ICT sector to attain access to markets and customers and assisted in ensuring the sustainable development of ICT sector SMME’s.
2) Community Development (CSI) – Notable contributions made by an ICT sector organisation in utilising ICT to address socio-economic challenges. Nominations are to highlight the efforts the organisation has undertaken to advance the accessibility and use of ICT.
3) Innovation – A noteworthy organisation which has embraced the digital age and created novel ways of ensuring better connectivity and access to the internet or use of ICT tools within South Africa.
4) Women in ICT – A woman leader who has championed the advancement of other women in the ICT sector and is recognised for her contributions towards advancing the ICT sector in South Africa.
These are important elements which contribute greatly to the growth of the sector. Recognising individual efforts to the attainment of these pillars.
We however feel that the South African Communicators Forum must consider looking into award categories which looks into issues such as journalists who contribute positively to the sector, disabled people who have a positive contribution to the sector, and individuals or organisations which contribute positively to rural development.
Entrepreneurship and SMME Development
According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) small and medium enterprises (SMEs), micro and local businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs are critical to ensuring economic growth in a sustainable and inclusive manner across developed and emerging economies alike, representing up to 60% of national GDP in some nations – and as much as 70% of jobs globally.
The National Development Plan (NDP) aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality in South Africa by 2030. The NDP recognises that entrepreneurs are national assets, and should be encouraged and rewarded as much as possible. Developing national entrepreneurship will create more wealth, more jobs, more opportunities and more prosperity in our nation.
Innovation
The NDP recognises that education, training and innovation are at the centre of South Africa’s long-term development. The plan further states that inadequate capacity will constrain knowledge production and innovation unless effectively addressed.
Because of its cross-cutting nature and its extreme use of the latest technology, the ICT industry is a driver of both product and process innovation.
Women in ICT
Historically the ICT sector has been male dominated. Perpetuated by our history of deeply rooted patriarchy in our societies women are still to a lager extend excluded in the ICT sector.
In the previous year our labour force was 15.2 million. Although women accounted for 44% of this total, in the ICT industry women accounted for only 32% and in the ICT and in the ICT Occupations women accounted for only 23%.
According to a study conducted by BMI-TechKnowledge (BMI-T) over 72 000 people employed in the ICT Occupations are women compared to over 152 000 men who are employed in the same category. Over 22 000 women are employed in the ICT Industry compared to over 76 000 men in the same category.
Community Development (CSI)
In the National Development Plan we are saying that our plan is that while the private sector invest in ICT infrastructure for urban and corporate networks, government will co-invest for township and rural access, as well as for e-government, school and health connectivity.
We are aware that in most cases poorer communities are neglected because they are said to be not suitable for investment. We commend those enterprises which take a step further in ensuring that the poor rural communities are connected.
Conclusion
These are some of the important issues which makes us excited in supporting the awards. If there could be more recognition and support in addition to other interventions, the ICT sector will realise the desired growth.
We applaud the South African Communications Forum for orchestrating this country's only awards aimed at rewarding the twin ideals of innovation and transformation seek to recognise progressive individuals who have changed the game play when it comes to ICT in both the public and private sectors.
Thank you.
