Programme director
Honourable: Mr Roseberry Sonto, MP
Executive Board Members of USAASA
Board Members of Ulwazi information centre
Senior officials from USAASA
Officials of the Department of Communications
Abafundisi
Members of the community
The youth of this area
Distinguished guests and
Ladies and gentlemen
It gives me great pleasure to be here with you today for the official opening of the Ulwazi information and communication technology (ICT) centre. Interestingly, this initiative was prompted by young people from this community, who refused to be taken for granted, young people who know their rights and privileges.
I must sincerely acknowledge the role played by Mr Ndoda Ngemtu and his partners, in making this project a success. This is a dream come true for the community of Crossroads.
I am also grateful that the launch of this centre, takes place, three days, before we commemorate the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day (WTID) on 17 May 2011. This is one of the most important days in the calendar of international events.
A day wherein as a country and the world at large, we pause, and ask this question: How far have we gone in addressing the commitments we made, of developing an inclusive information society in line with the World Summit on Information Society outcomes?
The launch of the Ulwazi ICT centre is one amongst a number of initiatives which the Department of Communications has unveiled in the last couple of days.
Just this week, Minister Roy Padayachie launched an Information Communication Technology training centres in Nongoma, Impendle and Ndwedwe Communities in KwaZulu-Natal, building-up to the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. The centre will generate income for the community and promote the usage and uptake of ICTs or societal and economic development.
Programme director, ladies and gentlemen,
President Jacob Zuma during the launch of the National Youth Development Agency said "If it is clear youth will be encouraged and listened to, and preparations are well thought out, you are set up for success. Having youth on boards and commissions has been a rewarding experience for everyone involved. Youth feel their voice is valued and that they have an impact on government decisions. Adult members benefit from the fresh perspective, optimism, and enthusiasm youth bring to the table”.
Many African governments are making efforts to address the two critical issues of infrastructure and human resources development in order to ensure accelerate growth and sustainable provision of ICT services. South Africa is not an exception in this regard.
In responding to the priorities of the New Economic Growth Path, that of creating 1 million jobs in the next 5 years, the department identified focus areas which has the potential of creating approximately 100 000 jobs over the medium term.
The focus areas include broadband infrastructure roll-out, the ICT Rural Connectivity, Digital Terrestrial Television, Development of Creative industries, Set-Top Box Manufacturing, Capacity building and small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) development.
The roll-out of broadband infrastructure is anticipated to create both technical as well as labour intensive employment. An integrated Broadband Plan for the country is the first requirement, as it will provide the basis within which funding can be sourced.
To date, a concept for construction of an integrated broadband network for education and health has been developed and endorsed by the cluster for human development and infrastructure.
The department presented its draft ICT rural development strategy in the last multi-stakeholder Information Society and Development (ISAD) forum and, was well received by attendees. The strategy was subsequently presented to the cluster and endorsed.
The programme on job creation incorporate non-infrastructure areas such as creative industries. This will include amongst others, the development of content generation hubs for Radio and TV, the e-Cadre development programme, including e-Health Specialists and the development of SMMEs, through the e-Cooperatives business model.
We also intend to construct 400 Digital Content Hubs through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) nationally. Preparations to facilitate the establishment of 9 content hubs for television and radio in 9 provinces have started.
Jobs will also be created as the department roll-out the Digital Migration programme, particularly in the electronic manufacturing value chain. It is envisaged that the Set-Top Box manufacturing process, including assembly, will culminate in 24 300 direct jobs being created by 2015.
Capacity building is a critical component in the creation of an inclusive information society. Over the medium term, the department intends to provide training to health specialist, e-Cadres, SMMEs and call centre agents. Over 30 000 jobs will be created through this programme.
Member Sonto,
"The freedom and human capacities of individuals must be developed to their maximum but individual powers must be linked to democracy in the sense that social betterment must be the necessary consequence of individual flourishing." John F Kennedy
Experience has shown that the participation of all stakeholders in any initiative results in a very successful and secure solution. Therefore, Minister Padayachie established a task team on job creation which will continuously coordinate inputs from the broader ICT sector.
Lastly, I wish to thank my department, Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA), as the main sponsor and all stakeholders who made this initiative a success. I urge the communities of New Crossroads, which is partly Gugulethu, Nyanga and KTC to seize the opportunity provided by this centre and, actively participate in the information society.
Finally as we celebrate the launch of the Ulwazi ICT Centre we must not forget to participate in the democratic processes of choosing your candidates and the party of your choice in the forth coming Local Government Elections next week on 18 May 2011. Those who will be voting do so in your numbers as it is your democratic right.
Ndiyabulela – Enkosi
Source: Department of Communications
Speech by Honourable Deputy Minister of Communications, Mr Obed Bapela, MP during the launch of Ulwazi Information Centre, New Cross Road
