The theme of the event was “Harnessing Technology to Improve People's Lives”.
“This theme surely conveys to us the need to work as a collective – the three spheres of government, the private sector and civil society – to realise the goals advocated by the theme,” said the deputy minister.
Apart from unveiling the incubator, Bapela emphasised the importance of ICT service delivery as a vehicle for developing better lives in society.
Starting early
The department has acknowledged that ICT business opportunities can be enhanced by the establishment of incubation hubs meant to facilitate the development of SMMEs in all the provinces, said the deputy minister.
“One highly successful element in an overall economic development strategy is the concept of incubating businesses.”
He explains that business incubation suggests grouping a number of companies in one location, providing them access to business services and sources of capital under the tutelage of an incubator manager who is experienced in business, resulting in successful companies.
Bapela said the establishment of 400 Access Centres (ICT hubs) is a priority driven by the Universal Service and Access Agency of SA with the participation of relevant communities.
The ICT Fair served as a focal point for knowledge, experience and resources to decisively address the matter of building and expanding, on a massive scale, the country's e-skills base.
“The ownership of this endeavour will harness the emergence of ICT SMMEs which will enable us to provide the people with opportunities of acquiring 21st Century knowledge and skills in close collaboration with industry.”
Development travesty
“ICT remains a catalyst for job creation in all spheres of government and private sector as a whole. The public partnership programme will still remain as one of the mechanisms used for expanding telecommunication networks in the country economies, including the rural areas.”
Bapela added that the major role of government is to create a conducive atmosphere for community development through the use of ICT.
“Industrial society has moved into an era of advanced technological innovation, affecting the way countries run their businesses, their institutions and lead their lives.
“It is also important to realise that we are in the midst of a 'digital revolution' driving towards an information society age. ICT potentially plays a central role within the lives of people in both rural and urban areas. Hence, it will be travesty to consider issues of development without ICT sector involvement.”
He added that South Africans citizens cannot be left outside the information age, which is largely driven by a knowledge-based economy.
Dynamic sector
The department this week met with ICT companies and signed a compact to promise the creation of one million additional ICT jobs and 100% broadband penetration by 2020.
This is influenced by the department's realisation that broadband networks are an increasingly integral part of the economy, said the deputy minister.
“The availability of broadband will enable small, micro and medium enterprises to co-operate and compete with larger firms in a wider range of markets, and to re-organise and purchase services that were previously not accessible.”
He added that broadband will also increasingly enable people to start small business from home, which will contribute to a more dynamic and entrepreneurial business sector.
“Ultimate realisation is that government needs to reach out to all its citizens irrespective where they are located. Thus, e-government services focus groups are important, because the government services will be the first services to be deployed, as the anchor tenant on the broadband network.”
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Farzana Rasool
Quelle/Source: ITWeb, 03.08.2011
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