Budget Vote Speech, National Assembly
25 May 2006
Honourable Chairperson
Honourable Cabinet colleagues
Honourable Members
Captains of industry
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Today we celebrate Africa Day, a day that the Organisation of African Unity
declared to symbolise a collective desire and commitment to rid our continent
of all forms of exploitation and colonisation. That spirit inspired by great
African leaders like President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, was to influence future
generations of Africans. One of these was President Samora Machel of
Mozambique, whose mysterious death on South African soil, twenty years ago, we
also remember this year. Another is our own President Mbeki.
There are other significant events that mark important moments in our
history, which give me inspiration as I deliver this yearâs Budget Vote Speech.
These are: the 100th anniversary of the Bhambatha Rebellion and the Satyagraha
in commemoration of the life of Mahatma Ghandhi, the historic march of the
Women to the Union Buildings 50 years ago and the Soweto Uprising 30 years
ago.
All these events are of immense significance. They provide us with an
important framework within which to evaluate the work that we have done, and
continue to do to sustain the benefits of our freedom, deepen our democracy and
create a better future for the generations to come.
Today is also Cell Câs âTake a Girl Child to Workâ day. This programme
continues to be one of the countryâs most creative and innovative community
social investment programmes. It exposes girls to the workplace and its career
possibilities. Our department is honoured to have been allocated a high school
in Mamelodi whose name is in memory of one of the finest young men of our
country, Stanza Bopape.
I wish to acknowledge Tidimalo Phethle and Portia Digangoane, learners from
that school who are shadowing us today.
The vision of our department is to make South Africa a global leader in
harnessing Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) for
socio-economic development. The social appropriation of ICTs by the majority of
the marginalised in our society remains a critical challenge.
To meet this challenge, we have drawn lessons from two African proverbs: To
propel a canoe forward fast, you need to paddle on both sides; and a fruit
cannot appear on a branch unless the branch is part of the tree. This taught us
to work with others and to balance the needs of the poor and marginalised with
those of the industry as a whole.
Our theme last year was: âa river has to be filled by streamsâ. Today we
have to paddle our canoe on this full river.
In the spirit of Africa day our African Union (AU) Heads of State provided
us with a vision, we have the passion and our officials have the drive. We are
all able, willing and ready to succeed. What do we have to show for it?
Chairperson and Honourable Members
This speech will show that:
Government set five key focus areas to meet certain socio-economic
development objectives by 2014. We are therefore anchoring our work within this
government agenda. The ICT sector has a critical role to play in achieving the
goal of at least six percent growth as stated in the Accelerated and Shared
Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA). President, earlier in the year we
announced that the AsgiSA initiative is aimed at removing impediments to
economic growth. Investment in ICT broadband infrastructure is central to
achieving the objectives.
With regard to achieving higher rates of investment in our economy, in my
speech last year I indicated that I would be establishing a Digital Migration
Working Group. I am happy to report that the Working Group was indeed formed
and has been doing its work. We will receive a report soon. The Digital
Migration Strategy is one of our priority areas of work that will be concluded
later this year.
Work related to the frequency spectrum, including consultations within the
Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, has advanced. Input
thereon to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) was on time. Our
delegation is currently in Geneva at the Regional Radio Communications
Conference deciding on these important matters. Following the allocation of
funds to Sentech for the digitisation of its signal distribution network, work
has started to get us ready for the roll-out of digital ready
infrastructure.
Last year, we also said that we would address the question of increasing
affordable access to, and thus, use of broadband. As clearly shown by
international experience, where adequate infrastructure exists, access to it is
more affordable. Experience has also shown us that where adequate
infrastructure is in abundance, this has been as a result of direct and
deliberate government intervention, particularly so in developing
countries.
We have prioritised the roll-out of broadband infrastructure in the country.
In this regard there are three focus areas, namely, the information
superhighway, wireless broadband and international communication network
access.
As a country we have to ensure that the broadband back-bone is robust enough
to meet our socio-economic development, business as well as the science and
research needs of our country. Our work in this regard is continuing at a good
pace in collaboration with the Department of Public Enterprises. Consistent
with cabinetâs declaration that ours is a developmental state we have decided
to examine the contribution that the assets of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs)
can make to achieve affordable broadband access in our country. A policy
decision on this matter will be announced soon.
In addition to the broadband back-bone cable that links large business
centres, there is a need for wireless broadband access especially to rural and
remote areas. Wireless broadband networks are less costly to roll out as they
do not require the digging of long trenches. It is for this reason that we have
decided to invest in it. We will be strengthening the policy framework that
encourages more players to consider investing in wireless broadband.
The July Cabinet Lekgotla last year decided that Sentech is a strategic
national asset, which has important infrastructure and expertise. I therefore
hereby announce two policy decisions with respect to Sentech:
* Sentech will form the core of our wireless broadband infrastructure
network that our country will use to advance its socio-economic development
goals
* Sentechâs wireless broadband infrastructure network will be expanded beyond
the current footprint and enable it to carry voice to the end user in the
provision of this service, thus giving full effect to its multimedia
licence.
Accordingly we will be expediting the finalisation of discussions to find an
appropriate funding model that takes into account the fact that Sentech
provides and should continue to provide both public and commercial
services.
Honourable members
Access to international communications networks accounts for a considerable
amount of the cost to communicate. There are two policy decisions I wish to
announce.
The first relates to the speed with which we will implement the Electronic
Communications Act (ECA) in this regard. The second is about the guiding
principles for our participation in the New Partnership for Africaâs
Development (NEPAD) led broadband network project.
In accordance with the spirit of Section 3(2) of the ECA we will ensure
affordable access to international broadband infrastructure. I will be
consulting shortly with Independent Communication Association of South Africa
(ICASA) on my intention to issue a policy directive to the Authority regarding
this matter.
This relates to the time frame within which ICASA will ensure that, amongst
others:
* all arrangements regarding access to, or use of, international cables and/or
facilities do not unfairly exclude others
* access to such cables and/or facilities is provided on a cost basis
* access is duly regulated as access to essential facilities as provided for in
section 43 of the new Act.
I hereby declare that as a matter of policy all holders of licences that
will qualify to be converted into individual electronic licences will have the
ability to self provide with respect to their international traffic within six
months of the promulgation of the ECA.
In re-affirming our commitment to support the development of the African
continent and her people, we decided to be part, and the co-initiators, of the
NEPAD led initiative to build an affordable broadband network. We are working
with 22 countries in southern and eastern Africa to build a terrestrial and
sub-marine broadband network for our region.
This project is led by the NEPAD e-Africa Commission and involves in excess
of 30 African companies. The Ministers of the participating countries will be
meeting in Johannesburg in two weeks time, on the 6 to 7 June to consider the
recommendations of our Directors-General and Permanent Secretaries.
In this regard, I have taken a policy decision to support the decisions of
the latterâs meeting regarding:
* the application of open, non-discriminatory and affordable access to these
networks
* that cross-border terrestrial and submarine cable segments of these networks
can be developed, owned, and maintained, as appropriate, by special purpose
vehicles.
Chairperson
The objective of this important project, which encompasses both coastal and
land-locked countries, is to support regional integration and our
socio-economic objectives through providing affordable connectivity. We took
the decision to participate in this project in spite of being told repeatedly
that this was not commercially viable and it would not find investors. We found
that investors are interested.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Industrial Development
Corporation (IDC) for responding to the request to support the NEPAD e-Africa
Commission with the development of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model when
no one heeded its request.
This is indeed what our leaders envisioned when they adopted the NEPAD
principle that we âshould rely on Africaâs resources and the resourcefulness of
its peopleâ.
What an Africa day spirit.
Ningadinwa nangomso.
I have instructed the Director-General to invite all our mobile operators to
participate in the aforementioned project should they so wish.
Honourable Members
As a country we need to consider innovative and bold ways of increasing the
rate of broadband penetration. This would include examining principles of open
and non-discriminatory access to essential ICT infrastructure at national
level. In order to assist us, I have decided to establish a Broadband Advisory
Council made up of African experts of international calibre.
This Council will be chaired by Dr Victor Lawrence from Ghana. It includes
Dr Henry Chasia from Kenya; Ms Aissatou Dieng from Senegal and Mr Motlhatlhedi
Motlhatlhedi from Botswana. The Council will be supported by a representative
task team of South African experts to be announced soon. The Advisory Council
will report to me with recommendations before the end of the year.
The creation of an enabling policy and regulatory environment is important
for increasing competition in the ICT sector thus reducing the cost to
communicate. This is essential to increasing the competitiveness of South
Africaâs economy.
In this regard we took a decision that we would issue special policy
directives aimed at accelerating the reduction of these costs. Accordingly the
department hosted two successful consultative colloquia with excellent
participation by the different stakeholders in our sector. Their report
contributed significantly to meeting our objective. I wish to take this
opportunity to thank them. I thank my Deputy for ably championing this.
In accordance with the spirit of Section 3(2) of the ECA, and to ensure
affordable open access, lower prices and wider choice of access to
international ICT infrastructure, I will be consulting shortly with ICASA on my
intention to issue a policy directive to the Authority regarding the time-frame
within which it will enable all licences of electronic communications networks
to interconnect with Telkomâs last mile network. The department will also be
consulting with Telkom on this matter.
In order to give effect to this decision without delay, I hereby appoint Dr
Tshilidzi Marwala to chair the Local Loop Unbundling Committee (LLUC) whose
task will be to oversee the development and the implementation of our local
loop unbundling process and to make appropriate recommendations. Dr Marwala was
bestowed with the order of Mapungubwe for exceptional achievement in
engineering science by the President.
Honourable Members
Open standards are important to foster a climate of convergence and
technological diversity and to enable a diverse range of platforms and services
that are affordable. It is Government policy that open standards in the
electronic communications sector be encouraged.
In addition, and consistent with the spirit reflected in the object of the
ECA, âto ensure the provision of a variety of quality electronic communications
services at reasonable pricesâ, it is also government policy to support the use
of diverse technologies, particularly those that promote affordable access to
ICTs.
I hereby announce my intention to issue a policy directive to ICASA to
facilitate the deployment of Wideband - Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA)
and other cost-effective technologies, taking into account, but not being
limited by, the frequency spectrum requirements for broadcasting. In this
regard priority should be accorded to the needs of the Under-Serviced Area
Licences (USALs). This way we will indeed be paddling the canoe on both
sides.
The four areas of activity that we have focused on as a contribution to
broadening participation in the economy are job creation, Small Meduim and
Micro Enterprise (SMMEs) support, skills development and universal access to
ICT infrastructure and services.
In advancing Universal Services our focus is on increasing the ICT
footprint. In addition to the Under Serviced Area Licences, issued by ICASA,
Digital Hubs are being rolled out by the Universal Service Agency in all
provinces to complement these licences.
SMMEs have proven to be the biggest contributors to economic participation
globally. Taking this into account, the department decided to prioritise the
development of SMME ICT support to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of
business operations of SMMEs.
MTN has embarked on an ICT and rural entrepreneurship programme, which is
already being implemented in five provinces. It focuses on the use of ICTs by
rural women. To date, eighteen centres have been set up and 500 rural women
trained. They plan to establish fifty centres and train 1 500 women.
There are several BEE and job creation initiatives that companies in our
sector are planning. Notably, Naspers will soon launch their most ambitious
empowerment deal to date through MultiChoiceâs biggest empowerment deal to date
in this sector. I trust that this deal will significantly increase the
broad-based participation of black people in our media.
Vodacom on the other hand will, in support of AsgiSA and the Johannesburg
CBD Renewal programme, establish a call centre in the Johannesburg city centre.
This initiative will provide 1 000 jobs.
The department, in partnership with other stakeholders from public and
private institutions, has initiated an ICT Skills Development Programme through
Further Education and Training Colleges (FETs) aimed at increasing the number
of South Africans with ICT skills. The programme is operational at Ekurhuleni
in Gauteng, Umfolozi in Kwazulu-Natal, Orbit in North West and Capricorn in
Limpopo. In collaboration with the Departments of Labour and Education, we plan
to upscale it to two FETs per province by the end of 2007.
In addition, the South African Post Office is implementing just over one
thousand learnerships that will contribute to the national effort of enhancing
peopleâs skills.
Telkom and Vodacom have continued and improved their programmes to assist in
developing students in engineering and information technology, including
design, and maintenance in order to expand the skills at all levels. Nemisa has
also redefined its training strategy to prepare students for a new converged
environment, which embraces the whole ICT sector.
We thank them for this commitment.
Access to information plays a crucial role in creating conditions for
meaningful participation of people in society. I wish to take this opportunity
to acknowledge the tenth anniversary of Highway Africa and the critical role it
has played in this regard, under the guidance of Prof Guy Berger.
Honourable Members
A priority of Government is improving the capacity of the State to deliver
on its mandate. In this regard we are strengthening ICASA through the
allocation of additional financial as well as human resources with the imminent
increase in the number of councillors.
The ECA will open up the sector by creating a vista of innovative
opportunities for entrepreneurs to enter into the market place. The competition
landscape will be such that there will no longer be any distinctions between
different types of operators. There will also be no distinction between voice,
video and data. Multiple services will be delivered on common platforms. This
age of digitisation will be leveraged to provide competitive services
economically, efficiently and effectively. This will result in value for money
to consumers and customers.
To this end the Authority is already rolling up its sleeves to embark on
programmes to issue new licences for electronic communications networks and
electronic communication services.
We now have a better alignment of State Owned Enterprises (SOE) strategies
with government objectives. In addition we have also developed a strategy for
improving our collaboration with stakeholders in the sector.
Our challenge is to ensure that ICTs are embraced at all levels of
government as a critical tool for socio-economic development. In this regard
the department will soon be launching the Intergovernmental Relations Forum on
ICTs with the provincial governments. This structure will facilitate a
coordinated development of an inclusive Information Society in our country.
The youth also have a role to play in improving the capacity of the State to
deliver. I am happy to announce the e-cadre pilot programme launched by South
African Post Office (SAPO) this week. The pilot aims to utilise Information
Technology (IT) graduates who have faced challenges in gaining employment, to
play a facilitative role as volunteers in educating the public, and where
necessary SAPO staff, on the use of these technologies, using the outlets of
the Post Office.
The capacity of our department has also improved. We have three new Deputy
Directors-General (DDGs) Mr Harry Mathabathe, Dr Keith Shongwe and Dr Harold
Wesso. I wish to welcome them most warmly as well as the new staff in the
ministry and department.
I have no doubt that the Director General and COO is already feeling the
impact of your presence.
I also take this opportunity to thank our former DDGs, Mr Pakamile Pongwana,
Mr Joe Mjwara and Ms Phumele Ntombela-Nzimande.
At the centre of contributing to building a better world is our commitment
to supporting the African agenda; strengthening South-South co-operation,
reform of institutions of global governance, strengthening bilateral relations
and following up on major summits and conferences.
This year, in honour of the 30th anniversary of June 16, National Youth Day,
we will be launching the NEPAD e-Africa Youth programme. This initiative is
aimed at engaging young people from different African countries in the
development of the Information Society on our continent.
Amongst other programmes developed by the e-Africa Commission is the NEPAD
e-schools project in which my department and the department of education are
participating. This African project won the accolade of âVisionary of the Yearâ
at the Intelligent Community Forum Awards Ceremony in New York in July 2005
Chairperson and Honourable Members
Our industry has also earned a lot of recognition
The Canadian-South African Animated and South African Broadcasting
Corporation (SABC) commissioned series Magic Cellar won the highest award, the
Platinum Remi Award at the Worldâs largest video competition in Houston,
Texas.
SAPO also made South Africa proud by winning the World Mail Award in the
customer service category in Paris for its electronic bulk mail Delivery.
Sentech won the African ICT Achievers Award for the most innovative ICT
Company in Africa.
The branch is beginning to bear fruit, but this so because its part of the
tree.
The new year promises to be a very busy one. Amongst other things South
Africa will host the 5th World Summit on Children in Broadcasting in 2007.
I am pleased to announce that in relation to the 2010 Federation
International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup we are on track. My deputy
will speak on this further. Our ICT sector are all pulling in the same
direction and carrying the flag for South Africa in the technology space.
Possibly the most exciting technical development recently is the current
Multichoice DVB-H test (Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld or digital
television to your mobile phone) worked at in collaboration with SABC, Sentech
and our cellular companies.
South Africa will be one of the few countries in the world where every game
of the 2006 FIFA World Cup will be shown using DVB-H technology. South Africa
together with Finland, Germany, Italy and France are all in the trial stage and
this cutting edge technology has yet to be commercially launched anywhere in
the world. South Africa is therefore showcasing the technologies of tomorrow
today.
I hope developments like these have put paid to the doubts of those
afro-pessimists who were suggesting that South Africa may not be ready in 2010.
I am not only confident that we will meet the requirements for 2010; I suspect
we may well exceed them.
Honourable Members
The Presidential International Advisory Council on the Information Society
and Development (PIAC on ISAD) has been instrumental in keeping us abreast of
international trends and advising us on best practice. I would like to thank
them and hope that they will recognise their own contribution in our
actions.
Some of their recommendations will be reflected in the National Information
Society and Development (ISAD) Plan being prepared by the Presidential National
Commission on the Information Society and Development (PNC on ISAD) for
presentation the to Cabinet.
I wish to reiterate that the Department of Communications recognises its
responsibilities in this emerging era and is committed to positioning South
Africa and its people in a proactive way to meet the challenges of a
globalising world.
I therefore ask you to pass this vote and allow us to take our country to
even higher grounds.
I would like to thank the Portfolio and Select Committees of Parliament for
the role that they have played in the development of the sector and their
continued support as we put forth our documents within the Parliamentary
process. This past year has been particularly interesting and challenging with
the ECA and ICASA Amendment Bill. I would like to pay special tribute to the
MEC of Social Development in Gauteng, our former and very able chairperson of
the Portfolio Committee on Communications, Mr Kgaogelo Lekgoro. We thank him
and wish him well. To many others who have left us, we also say Siyabonga.
I also want to thank my Deputy Minister most sincerely for the manner in
which we have co-operated to improve our departmentâs responsiveness to the ICT
needs of our society, in particular driving the process to reduce the cost to
communicate and for championing legislation through Parliament.
To Ms Lyndall Shope-Mafole, the Director-General, I thank her sincerely; she
has been a beacon of strength and courage, she has demonstrated strategic
leadership, not only to the department, but to the sector as a whole and to the
continent.
An organisation is only as strong and as powerful as its people. Rea leboha
Team DoC.
Thank you
Issued by: Department of Communications
25 May 2006
