Inter-Governmental Relations (IGR) Forum
11 December 2006
The Minister of Communications, Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri together with her
Deputy, Mr Radhakrishna L. Padayachie will launch the Information and Society
Development Inter-Governmental Relations Forum on 12 December 2006 at the
Emperor's Palace in Kempton Park.
The ISAD IGR Forum is established in terms of Chapter 2 of the
Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act of 2005.
The Forum, which will be chaired by the Dr Matsepe-Casaburri, will consist
of 22 permanent members that include two MECs from each province that are
responsible for economic affairs and social development, respectively. Mr
Padayachie is the deputy chairperson of the Forum.
Since, the department of communications has no provincial departments, the
IGR Forum is a platform to engage with the provinces through the MECs and some
of the Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) stakeholders to
ensure that ICTs are part of national, provincial and local government
strategic plans.
The Forum will be used to ensure that provinces are part of the ICT policy
development process, where they will make an input of how ICTs can improve the
living conditions of the people in their functional areas.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Albi Modise
Tel: (012) 427 8000
Fax: (012) 427 8026
Cell: 083 490 2871
E-mail: Albi@doc.gov.za
Zodumo Mbuli
Cell: 084 777 2077
Programme
- ISAD IGR FORUM -
12 December 2006
08h30 - 10h30:
* Welcome and opening remarks on behalf of host province: MEC Kgaogelo Lekgoro,
MEC for Social Development
* Opening behalf of Local Government: Councillor Duma Nkosi, Executive Mayor of
Ekurhuleni
* Inaugural Address: Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, Minister of Communications and
Chairperson of the ISAD IGRF
* Presentation on ICTs: Ms Lyndall Shope-Mafole, Director-General (DG)
Department of Communications (DoC), & Chairperson of Presidential National
Commission (PNC) on Information Society and Development and IGRF TC
* Presentation on Information Society And Development Plan - the ISAD Plan: Mr.
Mokwining Nhlapo, Chief Operating Officer (COO) PNC and Deputy Chairperson of
ISAD IGRF TC
10h30 - 11h00: Tea/coffee break
11hOO: Session closed to media
11h00 - 13h00: Discussion continue on the draft ISAD Plan, ISAD IGRF Programme
of Action for 2007 and other ICT-related matters: Dr. Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri,
Minister of Communications and Chairperson of the ISAD IGRF
13h00 - 14h00: Lunch break
14h00 - 15h30:
* Discussion of the ISAD IGR Framework: Dr Keith Shongwe, Deputy
Director-General (DDG) DoC
* Presentation, discussion and adoption of Report of the 1st ISAD IGRF Meeting
to the Presidential Co-ordinating Council: Ms Lyndall Shope-Mafole, DG DoC
& Chairperson of PNC and IGRF TC
* Closing remarks and way forward: Mr Roy Padayachie, Deputy Minister of
Communications and 2nd Deputy Chairperson of the ISAD IGRF
Launch of the ISAD IGR Forum on ICTs
12 December 2006, Emperor's Palace
Background
The Information Society and Development (ISAD) Inter-Governmental Relations
Forum (ISAD IGR FORUM) is being established in terms of Chapter 2 of the
Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act of 2005.
The Minister of Communications will chair the ISAD IGR Forum and the Deputy
Minister of Communications will be vice Chair. The Forum will consist of 22
permanent members, which includes two MECs that deal with economic affairs and
social development from the nine provinces.
The IGR Forum will be a platform for the Department to engage with the
provinces through the MECs and some of the Information and Communications
Technologies stakeholders to ensure ICTs are part of national, provincial and
local government strategic plans.
Since, the department of communications has no provincial competencies; the
Forum will be used to ensure that provinces are part of the ICT policy
development process, where they will make an input of how ICTs can improve the
living conditions of the people in their functional areas.
The objectives of the Forum will be to implement national ICT policy and
legislation in provinces, co-ordinate and align any other ICT matters of
strategic importance from national within the three spheres of government.
Another objective would be to discuss the performance in the provision of
ICT services the country in order to detect failures and to initiate
preventative or corrective measures, which will ensure that ICTs have the
desired impact on the living conditions of ordinary South Africans.
Composition of Forum
Section 10(1) of the Act determines the membership of the ISAD IGR Forum.
The ISAD IGR Forum will accordingly consist of the following 22 permanent
members:
1 The Minister of Communications (Chairperson)
2 The Deputy Minister of Communications (Deputy Chairperson)
3 Members of the Executive Councils appointed by the Premiers to serve in the
structure (One dealing with economic and infrastructure development and the
other with social development)
4 Chairperson of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA)
5. The Chairperson of National House of Traditional Leaders.
However, the IGR Forum will be strengthened by the Technical Support
Committee, whom its members will have observer status at the Forum meetings and
will be chaired by the Director General of the Department of Communications,
and deputised by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PNC on ISAD.
The committee will be responsible for processing the decisions of the Forum
under the directive of the DG of the Department of Communications.
Other members of the Technical Support Committee include Provincial
Directors-General; Heads of Department's (HoD's) of the MEC's nominated to the
forum; Chief Executive Officers of SALGA; Deputy Directors-General of
Department of Communications; CEO's of ICT State Owned Enterprises overseen by
the Department and the CEO of the House of Traditional Leaders.
The Minister has a prerogative to invite any other person to the meeting
such as other Cabinet Ministers.
Issued by: Department of Communications
11 December 2006
