Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Hon. Prof. Hlengiwe Mkhize, during the occasion of Sub Saharan Africa Regional Summit, Barcelona - Theme: “Expanding Connectivity for Sustainable Economic Development”
Introduction
The Internet is an incredible, undoubted force for economic growth and social change. Not only has it enabled new forms of connectivity, but it has also provided an outlet for new forms of innovation, entrepreneurship and social good. The Internet has also proven to be a dynamic tool for stimulating economic growth in developing countries. The World Bank reported that a 10% increase in broadband correlates to a 1.38% increase in GDP growth.
The Internet also provides opportunities to pursue social and developmental objectives. In developing countries, the Internet is connecting remote populations to markets and strengthening the overall efficiency of service delivery particularly in areas such as health, education, livelihoods and financial inclusion, as well as creating access to government services for the most marginalised populations.
The South African government welcomed the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, which includes the 17 sustainable developmental goals (SDGs). While ICTs are not identified as specific goals they underpin the achievement of all 17 goals. ICTs, particularly access to the internet, is the key enabler of development and is a catalyst for accelerating the outcomes of all three pillars of sustainable development; economic development; social inclusion; and environmental protection.
In order to have a focused discussion, I will limit myself to the role of the ICTs in facilitating the achievement of 3 SDGS with specific examples drawn from my country as we navigate this new roadmap.
- Firstly, we refer to SDG 8: Good jobs and Economic Growth which speaks to the promotion of sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all)
- Secondly, we elaborate on SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all;
- Thirdly, we speak on SDG 5: Gender equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
SDG 8: Economic Growth
Our National Development Plan Vision 2030, pronounces that ICTs will transform economic and social activities. Our main focus has always been to make sure that poor communities are included in the mainstream economy.
As you are aware, less than 30% of people in Africa have bank accounts and the majority are financially excluded. Mobile money has proved to be an innovative solution to address this challenge. This is one of the reasons why mobile money has flourished and continues to do so. The process of banking the unbanked has begun, for instance MTN, the South African mobile phone company, has a Visa Card which is not linked to any bank account but can be loaded with cash. This allows people to transact (for instance, to save money, pay bills, buy items remotely or on credit, invest, buy insurance and build up a credit record for future asset purchases.) with the Visa Card.
This is a positive development as it gives the marginalized an opportunity to be financially included so that they can begin to have access to other services they previously did not have. In addition, Mobile Money will boost economic growth and trade integration on the African continent, as people begin to utilize Mobile Money beyond accessing social services, by actively engaging in entrepreneurial and commercial activities. A great example of such a development is the M-Pesa card. In addition, the government, is investing in digitizing the South African Postal Services (SAPO) to increase financial inclusion, taking advantage of the widespread footprint of the post office, countrywide.
Mobile money is seen as a game changer for women and business partnerships will be sealed with strategic businesses, based on women’s everyday financial transactions , like, transportation services, energy and water related transactions , social security, health , education, e-waste and food.
SDG 4: Quality Education
As a government we have been engaged in the programme of connecting schools to give learners and teachers access to valuable teaching and learning in order to improve the quality of education. Out of a total of over 24 000 government schools in the country more than 5000 schools, have been connected for teaching and learning.
The aim is not only to connect the schools, but throughout our connection footprint, we also want to create localised ICT hubs.
These localized ICT Hubs will be one of the tools, which will be used to create digital opportunities, designed to tackle youth unemployment. This can be done through e-skilling programs, which will encourage the youth to participate actively in the ICT sector through innovation as well as enterprise development. With assistance from state-owned agencies (SOCs) and the private sector, we already have training institutions, as part of the post-school skills development programmes. The localized ICT Hubs are factory universities, linking training to jobs and entrepreneurial capabilities.
Africa is a youthful continent, expansion of connectivity to a large degree benefits the youth. About 42% of the African population is under 15 and mobile services are increasingly playing a role in formal education and informal learning.
As a government we have a policy to protect children online (COP). We work very closely with children’s rights organisation and parent’s associations and educational professional bodies, so as to ensure that child protection is a societal responsibility. We have also adopted cyber-security legislation which further strengthens the country’s resolve to minimize risks children are exposed to online.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
In line, with the ITU programmes we deploy ICTs as a tool for the promotion of gender equality, women’s right and the empowerment of women. A “gender divide” has already been identified, as manifested in the low access and usage of ICT services by women, compared to men. Unless this gender divide is specifically addressed, there is a risk that ICT may exacerbate existing inequalities between women and men and create new forms of inequality. If, however, the gender dimensions of ICT — in terms of access and use, capacity-building opportunities, employment and potential for empowerment — are explicitly identified and addressed, ICT can be a powerful catalyst for political and social empowerment of women, and the promotion of gender equality. For South Africa this is fundamental as it fits in with the values enshrined in our Constitution: promoting non-sexism, non-racialism and equitable access to resources.
Internet Principles
While the Internet will be increasingly used by individuals, businesses and all sectors of society, Government has a crucial role to play in directing policy and establishing an enabling framework so that the Internet can fulfil its potential. As such the South African government is committed to the following key principles and approaches:
- The South African government acknowledges that the Internet is a global resource which enhances domestic socio-economic development.
- South Africa will choose the most relevant and enabling governance and administration frameworks at a local and international level.
- The international management of the Internet should be multilateral, transparent and democratic, with the full involvement of governments, the private sector, civil society and international organisations.”
- All users must be able to legally access and share information as well as run applications and services of their choice.
- All Internet traffic must be treated equally, without discrimination, restriction or interference, regardless of the sender, receiver, content, device, service, or application.
- Internet governance must respect and promote cultural and linguistic diversity.
- Any changes in internet development and Governance Frameworks, must not allow disruptions to the operational stability of the Internet.
- The Internet must remain a unified global network that is stable, secure, resilient, trustworthy, reliable, interconnected and accessible to all users across the world.
- Lastly, the Internet must continue to be based on open standards to facilitate innovation and to allow everyone to participate equally in the global community
Bridging the digital divide
More than half of our world’s population is still living without access to the internet. The digital divide between the 3 billion people currently online and the 4.4 billion without the economic and social benefits of the Internet is a wakeup call for a sense of urgency.
The uneven diffusion of technology and the inequality in access to technologies with significant social, economic and political consequences still exist between rich and poor countries, rural and urban areas, men and women, skilled and unskilled citizens as well as large and small enterprises.
The South African government has always been at the forefront of creating an enabling environment for modern ICT broadband infrastructure investment.
We believe that our SA Connect Policy and Strategy will help the country with substantial growth in access to ICTs and their use, particularly mobile phones and the Internet. The goal of increased access to ICTs and use depends largely on our Broadband Plan Programme.
Over R700 million spread over three years has been allocated for the implementation of the SA Connect Broadband Policy. The policy rests upon four strategic pillars, which are: digital readiness; digital development; digital future and digital opportunity. The implementation of this policy will ensure that all government facilities such as health care centres, schools, libraries, all municipalities, post offices are connected with high speed internet.
Our government’s investment - coupled with private sector investment which we encourage - in network and IT infrastructure signals that South Africa is ready to leapfrog into the 21st century and to promote the digital opportunity that arises from broadband rollout. Partnering with the private sector in the implementation of SA Connect will provide us access to +/- 180000 km of Fibre infrastructure.
During the Phase 2 of SA Connect we intend to roll out a further 64000 Km of fibre infrastructure to provide the much needed backbone capacity for the planned Wireless expansion to our rural communities. In the big metro centres, we have invested R40 million in increasing Wi-Fi coverage.
Our Department of Science and Technology has developed and ICT Research, Development and Innovation Roadmap to support the country’s strategic objective of increasing the impact of ICTs on society and developing the economy.
The Roadmap presents a vision that will enable South Africa to become a significant player in the global ICT arena. It provides a coherent framework and plan for South Africa’s future investment and planning in ICT research, development and innovation, as well as provide a single point of coordination of RDI activities through the envisaged Office of Digital Advantage.
Our targets, as set out in the National Development Plan are to achieve 100% broadband penetration by 2020 as well as transforming 70% of all front-line service to e-Service by 2019. This is a great opportunity for the private sector and institutions of higher learning to cement partnerships for improved outcomes which positively impacts people’s quality of life.
In 2006, SA government was pivotal in the development and adoption of the Kigali Protocol. This is the Protocol on Policy and Regulatory Framework for NEPAD Broadband Infrastructure. This Protocol led to substantial investment made by government and private sector in the laying of submarine cables and providing infrastructure to enable more bandwidth across Africa.
To date Africa is connected to eight (8) submarine cables, which are:
- SAT3/ SAFE - Links Portugal and Spain to South Africa,
- GLO-1 - Connects Nigeria with the United Kingdom and other African countries,
- TEAMS - Connects Kenya to the rest of the world,
- SEACOM - Serves the East and West coasts of Africa,
- LION - It connects Madagascar, Reunion and Mauritius,
- EASSy - Links South Africa with East African Nations,
- MAIN ONE - links South Africa with Portugal, and
- WACS - links South Africa to the United Kingdom
This has culminated into the convergence of mobile communications and internet, radically transforming the lives of billions of people. The influence of the ICT sector can never be underestimated and we need to take advantage of the benefits derived from this for enhancement of economic inclusion.
In conclusion, the digital revolution gives the country huge opportunities for investment in R&D, innovation, and stepping up industrial capabilities.
We are planning to use our industrial policy, which is driven by our Department of Trade and Industry, as a guide in producing and assembling mobile phones parts, so as to make the smart phones as affordable as possible. The Industrial Policy Action Plan highlights the development of a specific support framework for black industrialists.
The Black Industrialists Development Programme is aimed at promoting industrialisation, sustainable economic growth and transformation through the support of black-owned entities in the mainstream of the South African manufacturing industry and related manufacturing sectors.
I thank you!
