Partnering for Growth
WEF 11
September 2005
Influencing the Policy Debate
The South African Challenges
and Successes
Partnering for Growth
Agenda
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South African priorities
Current policy framework
Public and private sector players
Influencing policy
– Examples and effectiveness
• Current recommendations
References:
SAITIS, DTI ICT Vision, Dti Review of Policies 2002,Foresight Project/ ICT
RoadMap/ ICT Charter, Nedlac Sector Summit
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South African priorities
• Key focus is economic and social
development
• Recognition of importance of the ICT
sector
– to develop a knowledge based economy
– its enabling role in other sectors
• Priorities influenced by
– Political and economic imperatives
– Rapid development of technology
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South African Priorities
• Transformation of the Economy
– Effective participation of majority of South Africans in economy
– Focus on the development of society
• Industry Development
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Economic Growth
Job creation
Skills development
Increasing competitiveness: Export development and investment
• Service Delivery
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Ubiquitous access
Increased use of ICT
Bridging digital divide
Keeping pace with technology driven changes
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Current Policy
Framework
• No overarching Government Policy
– Range policy frameworks impact on the ICT sector
– All reflect the different priorities of the various Government Departments
– Limited intra governmental coordination
• No provision for structured participation by private sector
• Rapid development of technology means policy makers playing
catch up
• Existing laws barrier to ICT development
• Sector has been dominated by quasi public enterprises
– 5 year monopoly to Telkom
• Growing awareness of need for need to create structures that
will address overall needs
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Government Players
Department of
Science & Technology
Department of
Communications
Department of
Trade & Industry
Department of
Labour & Education
Research &
Development
Policies &
Legislation &
Regulation
Trade & Business
Development
Skills Development
Across the ICT Sector
The Advancement of
Communications
Technologies
Development &
Marketing of ICT
Products
Skilled Labour ICT
Labour force across
The ICT Sector
Current role of the National Government Departments within the ICT Sector
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Other Players
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Private sector Bodies
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National economic Development & Labour Council (NEDLAC)
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To date model has been ‘Need Specific’
Over 40 industry related associations in ICT and electronics
Formed in response to a changes in the political, economic and technology arenas
Tend to address a particular issue/ focus area
Issues of social and economic policy= social dialogue
Ministerial representation
ICT Empowerment Charter Working Group
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To address the legacy of economic exclusion
Labour, community, ICASA, Government and industry
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Formalised labour
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Chambers/ Business Unity SA (BUSA)
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Strong informal networks
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Influencing Policy Debate:
Examples
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Policy makers adopted based broad consultative process to address
specific issues
– Industry associations/ NGO’s/ Civil society/ Trade Unions/ Chambers
invited to give input
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Government conducted research – private sector input
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Department of Communications
– ICT Charter 2004
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Ultimately will need to conform to the DTI’s Codes of Good Practice for Broad-based Black
Economic Empowerment
– Ongoing stakeholder engagement regarding telecommunications and e
commerce
– NEDLAC ICT Sector Summit 2002
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Department of Science and Technology
– Foresight program/ICT Roadmap
– Integrated R&D policy
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Influencing Policy Debate:
Examples
• Department of Trade and Industry
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National Export Strategy – current
Customised sector programs - current
Business and innovation incubators (CSIR) - current
SAVANT - marketing campaign –current
Cluster initiatives
ICT Vision 2002
SAITIS SA IT Industry Strategy Project 2000
• Department of Labour
– SETA/ISETT : Skills assessment and funding for skills development
• NEDLAC
– Input to trade negotiations
• President’s Councils
– ICT Development Council (international)
– Commission for ICT policy (national) – managed by DoC
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Recommendations
• Need for strong leadership and vision in taking an ICT
strategy forward
• Establishment of an ICT governance law that establishes
an inclusive governance structure to address the overall
needs of the sector
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Public-private partnership approach
Extensive intra-governmental co-ordination
Provide for effective implementation capacity
Not mutually exclusive to needs based approach
Rationalisation of industry bodies
• South Africa accelerates legislation to remove barriers to
growth
– Convergence, e commerce, export development and investment
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Thank You
Questions and Answers