Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Mr Eric Kholwane,
Honourable members,
Good morning.
As I indicated yesterday I am not feeling well and would beg the Committee’s consideration that I leave you early, in the capable hands of my Acting Director-General, Mr Gift Buthelezi and his team.
The National Development Plan is clear about the kind of society that we envision in 2030.
It states that:
“By 2030, the government will make extensive use of ICT to engage with and provide services to citizens. All South Africans will be able to use core ICT services and enjoy access to a wide range of entertainment, information and educational services.”
Ladies and gentlemen,
We are here today to present our 2013-18 Strategic Plan and the 2013/14 Annual Performance Plan. This Plan will indicate exactly how we will build the society envisioned in the National Development Plan. The department will also reflect on its 3rd Quarter Performance.
The Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission is driving and monitoring the process of accelerating the development of the economic infrastructure required to enable increased economic growth.
The ICT sector is being coordinated by SIP15 or Strategic Infrastrcuture Project 15, which details our plans and progress towards the rollout of broadband and the implementation of digital migration.
State-Owned companies took part in the planning process so as to align their plans and programmes with that of the Department of Communications. Through extensive engagement and to ensure strategic alignment, the following have been identified as DoC priorities:
Top 5 strategic priorities
- Broadband
- Broadcasting Digital Migration
- E-Skills
- Postbank
- ICT Policy Review
Other Key Priorities
- Public and Community Broadcasting
- ICT Research
- Radio Frequency Spectrum
- Cyber Security
Broadband
The DoC will be finalising the Broadband Policy and Strategy to facilitate the deployment of Broadband backbone and access infrastructure especially in rural and underserved areas, with specific focus on public facilities.
Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM)
The Department does acknowledge current challenges affecting specific facets of the BDM value chain which it is addressing. However, over the short to medium term, priority will be given to, amongst others, expanding national DTT and satellite coverage, allocations of subsidiside STBs, STB installer training as well as provision of technical user-support.
ICT Policy Review
As you know the ICT Policy Review Panel has been appointed and we met with them just over two weeks ago. The Panel has already started working and we want it to consider issues such as the events that led to the dissolution of the SABC board for the second time.
Over the short to medium term, the Department will finalise the ICT Policy review report which will feed into the development of the draft Green Paper. The Green Paper will be followed by a White Paper on National Integrated ICT Policy which will inform the drafting of the National ICT Bill.
Postbank
I met with the Postbank board just last week. We are working to resolve challenges that are slowing down the corporatisation of the Postbank.
The Postbank plays a crucial role in providing financial services to targeted segments of our population, particularly rural and under-serviced communities.
The department in the short to medium term will prioritise the implementation of the Postbank Act with specific focus on, amongst others, incorporating the Postbank Company into a separate legal entity and processing the application for a banking license.
E-Skills
In order to address the current e-Skills gaps in the country, in the short term, the Department will prioritise the establishment of a Single Integrated Entity for e-Skills through the collaboration of the e-Skills Institute, NEMISA and ISSA.
Over the short to medium term, this newly established Single Integrated Entity for e-Skills will focus on development of the National e-Skills Development Plan and will implement a range of e-Skills initiatives aimed at increasing the e-Skills capacity across Government, business, educations, civil society and organised labour.
I met with the Nemisa board last week.
The plans for the development of a single e-Skillis institute are well advanced and South Africa is being recognised internationally for its role in developing an e-Skills strategy for the developing world.
Honourable members,
Those then are the 5 key priorities of the Department of Communication.
We do have 4 lesser priorities and I think it is prudent that I mention these. The first deals with that of public broadcasting.
Public & Community Broadcasting
The challenges at SABC have reiterated the importance of public broadcasting.
Over the short to medium term, the Department will focus on completing the Public Broadcasting Policy review towards the development of a Position Paper which will inform the Public Broadcasting (SABC) Bill and Act.
With regards to Community Broadcasting, the Department intends to finalise the Community Broadcasting Support Strategy and commence with immediate implementation after approval.
ICT Research
Programme 3 of the Department, Policy Research and Capacity Building, will have a specific research focus which will entail the development and implementation of a focused Research Programme aimed at supporting priority policies.
Attention will be given to WSIS thematic areas aligned to government priorities, publishing of revised e-Barometer indicators as well as ITU-D guidelines on Green ICTs.
Radio Frequency Spectrum
The department’s immediate focus will largely be on reviewing the current Radio Frequency Plan, in consultation with ICASA, taking into account the decisions of WRC-12 and the outcomes of the recent spectrum audit. Specific emphasis will be given to the spectrum requirements for security services.
Focus will also be given to issuing Policy Directions on the exploitation of the Digital Dividend to support ICT infrastructure and services.
Cybersecurity
Following the approval of the Cybersecurity Policy Framework, immediate focus will be on the establishment of the Cybersecurity Hub in support of a secure broadband infrastructure.
The department will also work towards the development of a Virtual Cybersecurity Hub.
I thank you.
