T Mbeki to meet Presidential Advisory Team on ICT, 1 - 3 Sept

31 August 2006

President Thabo Mbeki will meet with the Presidential International Advisory
Council on Information Society and Development (PIAC on ISAD) from 1 – 3
September 2006 at the Pestana Kruger Lodge, Mpumalanga province.

The meeting will discuss developments and trends in the Information and
Communication Technologies (ICTs) sector and their impact on socio-economic
development in the country.

The PIAC on ISAD is comprised of a group of Chief Executive Officers,
Presidents, heads of major international corporations and experts who are
active in the field of Information and Communications Technology.

The body meets once a year and advises the President on trends in the ICT
sector and how South Africa can take advantage of opportunities presented by
ICTs in pursuit of economic growth and poverty eradication.

Journalists are invited to attend a media briefing at the conclusion of the
meeting. Details of the media conference are as follows:
Date: 3 September 2006
Time: 13h00
Venue: Pestana Kruger Lodge, Malelane

For confirmation of attendance, please contact: Brenda Nkosi
Cell: 082 770 2369

Background
Presidential International Advisory Council on Information Society and
Development (PIAC on ISAD)

In his State of Nation Address in 2001, the President established the
Presidential International Advisory Council on Information Society and
Development (PIAC on ISAD) that would have a critical role in advising him in
ensuring that South Africa does not lag behind with Information and
Communications Technology defining the manner in which the global economy
functions. PIAC on ISAD was established composed of international CEOs and
leaders in the ICT sector.

Originally named the Presidential Task Force on Information Society and
Development, PIAC on ISAD is comprised of a group of Chief Executive Officers,
Presidents and heads of major international corporations and experts, who are
active in the field of Information and Communications Technology. This body
that meets once a year is also tasked with advising President Thabo Mbeki on
trends in the ICT sector and how South Africa as a developmental state could
take advantage of opportunities presented by the ICTs in pursuit of elimination
of poverty and economic growth ion the country.

In 2001 the PIAC on ISAD advised the President that South Africa should
select a number of areas for its priority focus in the application and
development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). These areas
were education, health and Small. Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). As a
result the 2002 meeting received a briefing on the state of ICTs in the three
fields.

In addition the 2001 and 2002 meetings of PIAC on ISAD received briefings on
e-government in South Africa. In 2003 the PIAC on ISAD meeting addressed
several issues and advised the President that South Africa needs to consider
measures aimed at lowering the cost of communications.

In 2004 the Minister gave an update on the ICT charter in her remarks. PIAC
on ISAD meeting also received briefings on progress made in the field of
education, health, e-government and SMMEs including ICT programme.

During the meeting last year, two presentations were made which formed the
basis of the discussions: Accelerated and Shared Growth Strategy and the Status
of the ICT sector in the country. The hosting of this year's meeting just hot
on the heels of the commencement of the Icasa Amendment Act as well as the
Electronic Communications Act – two pieces of legislation that would re-define
the future and the significance of the sector and the regulator in the midst of
convergence of various services in the ICT sector.

Also speaking during the delivery of the Department of Communications Budget
Vote Speech, Communications Minister, Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri acknowledged the
role that the Presidential International Advisory Council on the Information
Society and Development (PIAC on ISAD) “in keeping us abreast of international
trends and advising us on best practice.”

For more information, please contact: Mukoni Ratshitanga
Tel: (012) 300 5436
Cell: 082 300 3447
Albi Modise
Cell: 083 490 2871

Issued by: The Presidency
31 August 2006