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    COMMUNICATIONS POLICY DISCUSSION DOCUMENT

    BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE SOCIETY THROUGH INFORMATION ANDCOMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

    INTRODUCTION

    An inclusive and !"#in in$"!%a&i"n s"cie&' ena(lin devel")%en&

    1. Over the last three decades, the world has been undergoing, and continues toundergo, an information and communication technologies (ICT) revolution,which has fundamentally transformed the way people live and relate to oneanother. This has made the world a much smaller place, in which individualscan access information and services from wherever they are in the world.

    2. The same ICTs have turned this globalizing world economy into a nowledge

    economy, where access to information and nowledge becomes the eydeterminant of the e!tent to which individuals, communities, societies andwhole regions can shape their own lives and compete for "obs and services.

    3. #lobalisation, however, has also sharpened ine$ualities between regions andnations, and within nations, producing winners and losers and a core and aperiphery. The %&C policy is aimed at fighting this segregation and ine$uality,and woring nationally, regionally and internationally to ensure a more "ustsocial order.

    4. This document sees to provide a framewor for policy discussion on media,

    communications and ICT within the %&C and its structures as part of thepreparations for the '' *olicy Conference and the +rd&ational Conference.It builds on the decisions of the +stand +'ndconferences and also taes intoaccount ongoing endeavours by the %&C government to deliver services to thecitizens.

    5. -hile more emphasis is placed on ICTs, the document still deals in detail withthe print media and the postal sectors. There is a need to pay necessaryattention to the print media as it continues to play a critical role in the battle ofideas within society. edia transformation and media diversity remain verycritical in the ongoing nation building effort. /imilarly, the role of the *ostalinfrastructure cannot be under0estimated. % long0term perspective is neededaround the future role of the *ost Office and the *ost 1an in our socialtransformation.

    6. -here necessary, the document reaffirms previous conference resolutions,especially those that are yet to be implemented (reference to the NationalConference and General Council resolutions), while proposing new policyinterventions. The document places more emphasis on the need for an over

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    arching &ational ICT *olicy to inform future growth and developmentaltra"ectory of the ICT sector.

    7. %s a build up towards the new vision, to be articulated in the &ational ICT*olicy, the document proposes various policy interventions across the following

    areas2

    a) In$"!%a&i"n and C"%%unica&i"ns Tec*n"l"ies and Devel")%en&Pe!s)ec&ive

    b) Resea!c*+ Devel")%en& And Inn"va&i"n

    c) B!"adcas&inIn$!as&!uc&u!e and Se!vices

    d) P!in& Media T!ans$"!%a&i"n

    e) P"s&al In$!as&!uc&u!e and P"s& Ban,

    f) ICTand I%)!"vin O!anisa&i"nal E$$ec&iveness and E$$icienc'

    8. The celebration of the years of the %&C provides us with a rare moment

    to reflect on the achievements and the challenges hitherto, as we prepare for

    the ne!t years. 3obust discussions are needed to help the %&C and

    society to emerge with new policies and decisions that will increase the pace of

    development, innovation, service delivery and integration of our society.

    A. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY ANDDEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE

    9. Over the last three decades, the world has e!perienced an unprecedentedsocial and economic revolution driven by the advent of high0speed internetnetwors or information and communication technologies (ICTs) capable oftransmitting huge chuns of information across borders with a single clic.

    10. These technologies have almost overnight blurred the traditional dividebetween the information technologies (computers), telecommunications

    (telephones), broadcasting (T4 and radio) and content (newspapers). %s aresult, any single gadget can be used to engage in multiple transactions acrossthese services. %s an e!ample, today a mobile phone5cellphone can be used togenerate documents, send email, and act as a radio and T4.

    11. &ew applications such as e0government, e0health, online money transfers,online billing and over the Internet payment of government and privatetransactions have emerged transforming the worplace and the sills that are

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    re$uired by the mainstream economy. These electronic based transactionshave also reduced the need for paper and the distance and time people travelto do transactions.

    12. This revolution, nown as the information society, has fundamentally

    transformed the way people live and relate to one another and their societies.This has made the world a much smaller place, in which individuals can accessinformation and services from anywhere they are in the world.

    13. The global economy has also e!perienced watershed transformation into anowledge economy, where access to information and nowledge becomes theey determinant of the e!tent to which individuals and communities contributeto their own and societal development.

    14. The ICTs contribute to the economy both as a stand0alone sector and as afacilitator of growth and development across all other sectors of the economy.

    6or e!ample, tourism and transport sectors depend on the ICT sector for onlinebooings, which cuts the distance, time and the costs of maing reservationsand payments for chosen trip.

    15. Trillions of 3ands are transmitted over the ICT networs overnight, which alsoredefines the flow of foreign direct investments across the globe. oney is nowinvested through computer networs and can be easily transacted acrossborders at short notice.

    16. %s globalisation intensifies, driven by ICTs, it has also sharpened ine$ualitiesbetween and within communities. It has produced winners and losers. /outh

    %frica is by no means an e!ception to the rising tide of ine$uality between thehaves and have0nots.

    17. The prevailing ine$ualities, commonly nown as the digital divide, haveconstrained the ability of many citizens to participate in the mainstreameconomy thus entrenching the spectre of poverty and underdevelopmentafflicting many people in the world as a whole and in our country, in particular.

    18. /ince the advent of democracy in 778, /outh %frica has made significantstrides to facilitate the transformation of the ICT industry and this include2

    a) The introduction of new laws which facilitate the provision of ICT services tothe people, including in rural areas. This includes the licensing of communityradio, ICT centres, and obligations on the mobile services.

    b) The transformation of the /%1C from being an apartheid mouthpiece to beinga credible public broadcasting institution. In recent years, the /%1C hasplayed a very important role in the national and local elections therebystrengthening our democratic discourse.

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    c) &ew subscription television and commercial radio stations have also beenlicensed to contribute to diversity of voices and the participation of peoplefrom historical disadvantaged communities.

    d) Creation of an independent regulatory environment to ensure that the

    licensing of services taes place in a transparent and fair manner.

    e) Opening of the telecommunications to new players although their role andcontribution remain constrained by limited access to the radio fre$uencyspectrum.

    f) obile penetration stands at more than 9 percent although access tobroadband is constrained by high fees.

    g) /outh %frica hosts the most powerful computer system in %frica, whichprovides the country with capabilities to perform comple! scientific andmathematical calculations to resolve environmental biomedical sciences and

    the study of astronomy.

    h) #overnment has also introduced other ICT innovations to involve young/outh %fricans including out of school youth in ICT entrepreneurshipopportunities.

    19. eanwhile, in recent years /outh %frica has lagged behind in a number of eyglobal ICT indicators, especially on universal access to the internet,broadcasting and e0governance. This as a conse$uence of fragmented anduncoordinated policy and institutional arrangements. %s a result, we have notfully e!ploited the opportunities presented by our technological advances.

    20. :ven on the continent, /outh %frica has lost its position as a leader in therollout of ICT services. /enegal and :gypt are emerging as leaders. Ourcountry also lags behind other 13IC/ countries in almost all aspects of the ICTvalue chain.

    21. -hile mobile or cellular communications has reached over 9 penetration,the same cannot be said of the ;igh /peed Internet &etwors with penetrationlevels of less than '9 of the population. % significant number of /outh

    %fricans access ICTs at their place of wor and institutions of higher learning.%lthough the advent of smart phones are changing this. The high prices

    charged by industry remain a big challenge towards a full utilisation of ICTservices even by many people who already own smart phones.

    22. obile broadband penetration still stands at less than 9 (households) and

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    23. Telecommunication infrastructure by Telom is limited to smetropolitan councils and it largely covers wor usage by government andlarge companies. obile operators such as T&, 4odacom, Cell C and

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    g) Aimited and misaligned research and development.

    h) *olicies are not based on evidence, hence they eeping on changing evenbefore the results can be realisedB and

    i) 6ailure to implement some of the decisions of the previous %&C conferencesand the &ational #eneral Council.

    28. Our drive towards a new vision of the ICT sector should see to provide along0term approach to addressing these challenges. In particular, the sectorneeds a long0term stability to be in a position to tae the country into the ne!ttra"ectory.

    -e' Issues and P"lic' P!")"sals

    I. Na&i"nal ICT P"lic'

    29. To ma!imise the value of the development of the ICT, and to also acceleratethe uptae and usage of the ICT tools, the %&C needs to create a coherent andco0ordinated &ational *olicy 6ramewor and /trategy.

    30. The &ational ICT *olicy will2

    i. promote the provision of universal access to high speed, $uality andaffordable networs and services to ensure that government,communitiesB business and all our people become part of the

    Information /uperhighway and the nowledge economy.

    ii.inform the deployment of ICTs across the country 0 national, provincialand local infrastructure. It will also outline the different roles of thestate, private and community sectors in achieving this goal.

    iii.align uptae and usage of the development of indigenous nowledgesystems and the revival of the local content industry.

    iv.inform regulatory interventions to ensure a world0class digitalinfrastructure connecting business centres and households in all areas

    of the country including in rural areas.

    v.define ICTs as a basic utility, similar to water and electricity.

    vi.set out targets to increase population coverage of high speedInternet access to 9 by '. This means that by the determinedperiod, every /outh %frican should be within the reach of the ICTinfrastructure. ore endeavours, including access to receiver

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    e$uipment such as computers, are needed to ensure that /outh%fricans can use the available networ.vii.provide for an institutional framewor that enhances collaboration,effective planning and oversight.

    viii.outline approaches to ICT uptae and usage to promote e0applications in e0government, health, education and fighting crime.

    II. Ins&i&u&i"nal Mec*anis%

    31. The institutional framewor within government is perhaps the greatest barrierto the emergence of a coherent government strategic thining, effectiveplanning and deployment infrastructure and services to the people. There is aneed for a rethin on how government is organized to discharge its servicestimeously within the available resources.

    32. %s a point of departure government should develop and retain policy maingcapacity.% &ational ICT 6orum should be created comprising government andindustry to engage on critical issues of mutual interest. Civil society should alsobe invited to participate in the 6orum.

    33. The following state institutions must be rationalised to address e!istingoverlaps, duplication and undue competition within the state2

    i. *residential &ational Commission on ICT (*&C)

    ii. /tate Information and Technology %gency (/IT%)

    iii.Office of Chief #overnment Information Council (#ITOC)

    iv.#overnment Information and Technology Officers at provincial level

    v.1roadband Infraco and any other state owned entities in the ICTsector

    vi. /entech

    vii.=niversal /ervice and %ccess %gency of /outh %frica (=/%%/%)

    viii. edia ?evelopment and ?iversity %gency (??%)

    ix.&ational :lectronic edia Institute of /outh %frica (&:I/%)

    x. eraa Institute

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    xi.edia, %dvertising, Information and Communication Technologies/ector :ducation and Training %uthority (ICT /:T%)

    xii.6ibre *rocessing and anufacturing /ector :ducation and Training%uthority (6* /:T%)

    III.e.s,ills

    34. %s discussed at the rd&ational #eneral Council, e0sills should become acompulsory sub"ect in all public schools to promote an e0literate society. Thiswill also ensure that young people from rural areas are not abused by bogustraining institutions in their $uest to ac$uire the much sought after e0sills.

    35. The curriculum should focus on end0user0computing as well as encouragingyoung people to pursue careers in the ICT sector. 6or /outh %frica to be a

    leader in the development, uptae and usage of ICTs, the country needs moresills than are currently available.

    36. #overnment must also maintain a comprehensive database of the currentsills as well as those that will be re$uired in the medium to long term. Thiswould re$uire harmonisation and creation of synergies between public andprivate sector initiatives.

    37. Other successful and leading nations have a dedicated university and oruniversities to develop and produce highly silled ICT practitioners and e!perts.4arious options should be e!plored, including developing one of the e!isting

    universities to specialise in ICT. %nother consideration could be given to maingone of the new universities in pumalanga or &orthern Cape or both of them tobe specialised ICT university or universities. %ll other universities, especiallythe historically blac campuses, must be supported to offer ICT education.

    38. 6urther :ducation and Training (6:T) Colleges should also be used asschools of e!cellence to create opportunities for out of school and unemployedyouth. % dedicated funding plan is needed to ensure that rural universities and6:T colleges can contribute to the new e0sills revolution. The /ills 6und mustprioritize the ICT sills development.

    39. ICT industry plays an important, strategic role in sills development. %s one ofthe social partners, industry should be encouraged as well as incentivised tocreate opportunities for young people to receive e!periential training.#overnment must introduce comprehensive e0/ills ?evelopment *lan thatwould include incentives to mobile industry co0operation for the benefit ofyoung people. This must be in place by '8.

    IV. T!ans$"!%a&i"n "$ &*e indus&!'

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    40. Our e!perience in eighteen years of democracy suggests that transformationcannot be achieved overnight, but is a protracted process that is dependent onthe strategic vision and leadership provided by the %&C and implementation of

    developmental programme by its government that are aimed at meeting theneeds of our society.

    41. Transformation of the ICT sector remains wea with 1lac :conomic:mpowerment (1::) policy implemented to a very limited e!tent due to lac ofade$uate funding, procurement practices that do not promote blacbusinesses, and absence of a focus on enterprise development. 1laccompanies continue to be left behind in the consistent growth of the ICTmaret. -hereas the ICT sector was the first sector to undertae steps totransform, much still needs to be done and more new innovative interventionsare needed to speed up the pace of transformation in all elements of the valuechain in the ICT sector.

    42. %s part of the proposed &ational ICT *olicy vision, the %&C should targetcompleting the ICT sector transformation process by '. %t the end of thisperiod ownership and control of the sector should reflect national demographicsincluding the increased role and participation of blac people, women andpersons with disabilities in the sector.

    43. The %&C needs to prioritise the following interventions2

    i. % review of the empowerment targets in all the ICT subsectors andelements of the ICT value chain by '8. This review will considerwhether such targets are appropriate, reasons why they have not beenmet 0 in instances where they have not been met 0 and what additionalconsiderations should be given with regards to empowerment targets.The review would consider the regulatory and institutional structuresoverseeing the realisation of empowerment targets. To this end theregulatory capacity will be strengthened to ensure that IndependentCommunications %uthority of /outh %frica (IC%/%) is capable to setand enforce empowerment obligations on the industry.

    ii. In accordance with a drive towards vision ', the %&C shouldensure that the empowerment rules apply e$ually to all entities 0 bigand small local and international5multinational. The %&C should ensurethat strong preference is given to new companies to access scarceradio fre$uency resources going forward.

    iii. The review of the 1roadcasting *olicy by '8 should beunderpinned also by the policy desire to reduce barriers to entry,especially in the pay T4 maret. The new policy environment should be

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    specific about areas that constitute barriers to entry in the entirebroadcasting value chain.

    iv. It is %&C policy to support the convergence of technologies andservices. ;owever, the regulation of the ICT sector in the converged

    environment should not lead to the creation of consolidated vertical andhorizontal monopolies or to abuse of dominance by the e!istingoperators. Competition rules and regulations dealing with opening themaret to competition will be prioritised.

    v. The =niversal /ervice and %ccess %gency (=/%%/%) charged withpromoting access and universal service in under0serviced areas shouldbe reviewed after over ten () years of e!istence in order to redefineits focus towards increasing the uptae and usage of ICTs.

    vi. % new state entity to provide funding to /mall, edium and icro

    :nterprises (/:s), 1road 1ased 1lac :conomic :mpowerment(111::), Co0operatives and other &ot for *rofit initiatives in theelectronic communications, broadcasting and postal sector should becreated out of the merger between =/%%/% and the edia?evelopment and ?iversity %gency (??%) by '8. The contributionby the industry to the merged entity should be uncapped and should beaccompanied by a coherent plan to e!pend the current allocation.

    vii. The %&C should ensure that endeavours to resource IC%/% in linewith the decision of the rd &ational #eneral Council should havecommenced by the time of the &ational *olicy Conference. IC%/%

    should be self0funding using licence fees, sub"ect to *arliamentaryprocedures and oversight, by the beginning of ' financial year.

    44. Aicensing and use of the 3adio 6re$uency /pectrum, which is a public asset,is another central pillar towards the creation of an industry that is responsive tothe needs of all the people. In order to facilitate the diffusion of ICTs acrosssociety, licensing of the scarce radio fre$uency resources should beunderpinned by the following factors2

    i.%lignment of the spectrum allocation and licensing regime with theprevailing social and economic development conte!t, while taing intoconsideration future needs.

    ii.:$uitable allocation of the fre$uency spectrum to new licences,including /:s, to reduce entry barriers

    iii.3e$uirements and obligations to achieve universal coverage. Thisshould be lined to building regulatory capacity to enforce compliancewith the law.

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    iv.*romote 1road 1ased 1lac :conomic :mpowerment at theminimum of 9 to +9 direct ownership and control of ICT andbroadcasting, including the empowerment of women and youthdevelopment. This must be achieved by ''.

    45.To ma!imise the value of the scarce or high demand spectrum, governmentmust set aside spectrum for the provisioning of wholesale services or open

    access networ by the merged entity between /entech and I&63%CO.

    46. This infrastructure must prioritise government services and provide moderncommunication services to government departments, municipalities, schools,hospitals, clinics, police stations, multi0purpose community centres and courtsto ensure that they are connected and can provide e0services to the people.:!cess capacity should be geared to further connect rural areas to helpachieve full access to high speed internet networs by '.

    47.#overnment should provide capital to #reenfields operators starting businessto provide amenities to under0serviced communities. These entities should also

    be entitled to a preferential interconnection (asymmetrical interconnection) rateand this should be mandatory.

    48. The fact that /outh %frica does not design new innovations in the sector whilea lot of money is pumped into the /cience Councils is a serious missing lin.6or the country to position itself as an ICT hub for the continent, it re$uires highlevels of research and development, and innovation, to allow for all manner ofnew inventions and technologies to emerge.

    V. Hi* s)eed in&e!ne& in$!as&!uc&u!e and se!vices

    49. It is the responsibility of %&C government to ma!imise opportunities for all/outh %fricans to benefit from the digital economy by laying firm foundations fordigital infrastructure to reach all and sundry. %ccess to digital infrastructure, ormore specifically high0speed internet access, must be considered a basic utilityfor /outh %fricans.

    50. Informed by the &ational ICT *olicy, %&C government must introduce a&ational 1roadband *lan. The &ational 1roadband *lan must be revised and

    reviewed to tae into account the proposals herein. The 1roadband *lan mustprovide for2

    i. % world0class digital infrastructure connecting business centres, households inall areas of the country and people, particularly the poor, in the urban andrural areas is a prere$uisite to the introduction of high speed access tomodern digital means of communications, wor and commerce.

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    ii. %ffordable $uality services that will ensure that the ma"ority of /outh %fricanshave access to the internet platforms necessary for them to transact with eachother, their government and the private sector.

    51. To e!pedite the deployment of high $uality services, the &ational *olicy

    should e!plore the combination of various reliable technologies such assatellite, wireless, fibre and other emerging technologies. The wholesaleservices provided by the merged entity between /entech and Infraco shoulduse these technologies.

    52. ;igh demand spectrum that can be used to deliver high0speed services usingemerging technologies should be prioritised for assignment to new entrants.This should also encourage the use of emerging technologies that arespectrum efficient to increase competition and provide value for consumers.

    53. On regular basis government through its regulatory capacity must conduct a

    review of spectrum usage to determine usage and re0allocation of unusedspectrum where necessary. % strengthened competition framewor that alsoaddresses the $uality and affordability of broadband infrastructure and servicesshould also find e!pression in the &ational 1roadband *lan.

    54. The &ational *olicy should also deal with the security of the ;igh /peedInternet &etwors (cyber security) to ensure information security, including theprotection of vulnerable sectors of society such as children. % national cybersecurity policy is needed without delay.

    55. In the light of the drive towards the new policy vision, there is a need to

    accelerate the endeavour to define needy people in order to address the utilitye!pectations of, amongst others, people with disabilities, children, rural andurban poor. The needy people, clearly defined, should benefit from specialsubsidies to access and use communication services.

    56. *ublic finance through the fiscus and the ?evelopmental 6inance Institutions(?6Is) should be set aside to fund broadband rollout as a national priority.There should be clear complimentary interventions between the contribution ofthe fiscus, ?6Is and the merged entity between =/%%/% and the ??%subsidising needy people.

    B. RESEARCH+ DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION

    57. The country continues to demonstrate e!cellence through ma"or ICT andscientific breathroughs emanating from research and developmentprogrammes. There is great potential in ICT 3esearch and ?evelopment andInnovation that needs to be unloced in order for the country to become moreglobally competitive.

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    58. ;ighlights of recent world0class achievements include the following pro"ectsof the ?epartment of /cience and Technology2

    a)%s part of the cyber0infrastructure programme which is implemented by Councilof /cientific and Industrial 3esearch (C/I3) in partnership with universities

    and other science councils, /outh %frica today hosts the most powerfulcomputer in %frica, which is among the top + supercomputers in the world 0currently at position '7. This facility provide /outh %frica with enormouscapability to perform comple! scientific and mathematical calculations thatsolves real societal problems in the environment and climate change,automobiles, bio0medical sciences and astronomy.

    b)On the social impact side, some ICT 3esearch and ?evelopment andInnovation programmes include the ?igital ?oorway (??) 0 an innovative,robust computer facility that is deployed in under0serviced areas thatmembers of the community can access anytime of the day to gain computer

    literacy sills and access relevant information, content and variousapplications.

    c)% flagship pro"ect that demonstrates the use of alternative, cost0effective andinnovative technologies and models to deploy broadband infrastructure andservices for rural communities is currently underway in &angala ?istrictunicipality in pumalanga. The pro"ect uses -ireless esh &etwortechnology to connect close to ' schools and a few other sites. 8 of theseconnections have been commissioned to the Internet. The pro"ectincorporates a business model that promotes local economic development.=nlie with conventional telecommunication networ operator model, the

    -ireless esh &etwor uses the out0of0school youth who showentrepreneurial and technical potential to operate, support and maintain thenetwor in their communities.

    59.The above e!amples illustrate how directed interventions on ICT 3esearchand ?evelopment and Innovation can bring about significant socio0economicdevelopment. ;owever, to mae real impact, the current investment in ICT3esearch and ?evelopment and Innovation need to be increased multiple0foldin order to achieve a critical mass in ICT 3esearch and ?evelopment.

    60.-e need to promote and support development of new ICT 3esearch and?evelopment (3?) plans and strengthen e!isting strategies and policies tofoster robust, well coordinated institutional arrangements that lead todevelopment of indigenous world0class, technology innovations in ICT throughdirected national ICT research, development and innovation programmes.

    61.There needs to be plans to increase the number of asters and *h?sstudents enrolling and graduating in ICT. Over the past few years, /outh

    %frica has been graduating between 8 and + *h?s per year in ICT relatedfields. The starting point should be to increase the current ICT *h?

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    production by 0 + fold per year in order to enable critical mass ofadvanced ICT human capital.

    62.-hile ICTs are widely recognised as potent tools and enablers for socio0economic development, /outh %frica still lacs ade$uate competencies,capacity and capabilities and hence the continued reliance on imported ICT

    products and services. If the status $uo persists, the real impact of ICTs oneconomic growth will not be realised. This because there is enoughevidence0based studies that show that the world>s advanced economies haveachieved their status largely because they have adopted and implementedpolicies that support technological (in most case ICT) innovation based onstrong research and development capabilities.

    63.The /cience and Technology ?epartment is currently finalising development ofa long0term ICT 3esearch and ?evelopment and Innovation (3?I)implementation roadmap. The roadmap is being developed in con"unctionwith C/I3 and with inputs of all relevant staeholders in the &ational /ystem

    of Innovation.

    64.The ICT 3?I roadmap, which will encapsulate short, medium and long0termimplementation plans, see to enable increased public and private sectorfunding for ICT 3?I, definition of new, niche and strategic ICT focus areas fordirected 3esearch and ?evelopment aligned to government priorities, and agrowing pipeline of 3?I human resources, especially at asters and *h?level. The roadmap will also provide concrete ey performance measures,outputs and e!pected outcomes.

    65.;igh impact national programmes such as the digital switchover will facilitate

    local and international investments in ICT research and development. %s acrucial part of the &ational ICT *olicy research, development and innovationstrategies and plans would enable a coherent and increased public andprivate investment in the ICT by providing mechanisms to forecast technologydevelopments in targeted areasB attracting foreign direct investment (6?I)from ICT multinational companiesB and identifying critical areas that must bedeveloped to meet /outh %frica>s socio0economic ob"ectives.

    66.-ithin the framewor of the &ational ICT *olicy, /outh %frica will overcome theD?igital ?ivideE by leveraging advances in ICT to address socio0economicchallenges and thus create D?igital %dvantageE. Through sound investmentand effective coordination of ICT 3?I activities, the following conditions will beestablished2

    a) advanced human capital and strong institutional capacity, enabling critical

    mass for research in focussed ICT domainsB

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    b) a flourishing and growing high0tech ICT industry characterised by tight

    engagement with research communities, as well as fast uptae and promotion

    of research results and indigenous innovationB

    c) a healthy innovation ecosystem, in which research results flow unencumbered

    to government and industry to achieve impact in societyB

    d) advanced ICT infrastructure connecting /outh %frica internally and with the

    worldB and

    e) local content and applications that address local needs and also create e!portopportunities.

    67. The investments in ICT 3?I must continue to support e!isting researchprogrammes 0 and enable creation of new ones 0 leading to achievement ofICT 3esearch and ?evelopment critical mass through appropriate funding for

    3esearch and ?evelopment in higher education institutions, science councilsand research institutions.

    68. The building of research infrastructureB and attraction of foreign directinvestment through various incentive schemes that will see large multinationalICT conglomerates setting up research and innovation facilities in /outh %frica0 not "ust sales offices.

    C. BROADCASTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES

    69. 4arious %&C Conference 3esolutions and *olicy documents capture the

    vision of a diverse /outh %frican broadcasting system 0 owned by the public,private and community sectors and reflective of the cultural, multi0lingual anddemographic diversity and unity inherent in our society.

    70. The %&C has consistently upheld the notion that broadcasting operates at twolevels. 6irstly, it acts as a means to reflect the rich /outh %frican culturalheritage, provides voice to /outh %fricans to participate in democraticdispensation as well as acting as an important platform for communityinvolvement, education and entertainment. /econdly, as part of the ICTindustry, broadcasting is an important economic sector that sustains the /outh

    %frican creative industries.

    71. /ince the advent of democracy the %&C has been consistent in developing apolicy environment that transforms the media sector to meet the broadcastingneeds and wants of all the segments of the /outh %frican pollution. To this endtelevision coverage has been e!tended to reach 7' percent of the population.

    72. 3adio coverage now reaches 7+ percent of the population. %ll official /outh%frican languages are now reflected albeit in a limited manner on both

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    television and radio. The public broadcaster and an array of independentcommercial operators provide radio and Television services. %ll ?istrictunicipalities are served by an array of geographic and community of intereststations.

    73.?espite these achievements much still needs to be done to develop abroadcasting system that caters for all the needs of the /outh %frican

    population because of the inherent challenges facing the broadcasting systemand the advent of digital terrestrial broadcasting. /ome of the challengesre$uiring resolution include2

    i. The public broadcasting system, beset by many structural, managerial andfunding problems, needs to be restructured and repositioned to prioritisepublic service as opposed to the commercial focus that it has displayed.

    ii. The +st and +'nd %&C Conference resolutions on funding have not been

    implemented due in part to the failure to develop a public broadcasting modelthat is not reliant on commercial programming, failure to cost the mandate aswell as different interpretations on the role of public broadcasting ingovernment.

    iii. The series of crises at the public broadcaster reflect a lac of leadership, lacof accountability and poor management. In confronting the crisis moreemphasis has been placed on reporting processes without a correspondingattention to holding those responsible to account for the financial andorganisational maladministration that has brought the public broadcastinginstitution to the crisis.

    74. /uch a situation has prevailed because institutional structures responsible foroversight have not been effective. There has also been an overlap in oversightroles enabling he public broadcaster to forum shop.

    -e' Issues and P"lic' P!")"sals

    75. The /outh %frican 1roadcasting Corporation (/%1C) must be restructured toprioritise public services in the digital age. %s part of this process, thegovernment must, in line with the resolutions of the +'ndconference, increaseit>s funding of the /%1C. This must be implemented progressively over areasonable period.

    76. #overnment funding must be ring fenced to be targeted towards publicprogramming such as indigenous languages, developmental and educationalprogramming. In addition to government funding, the /%1C re$uires a long0term sustainability strategy based on a people centred approach to publicbroadcasting.

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    77. *rogramming that is supporting education, health, poverty eradication, ruraldevelopment, crime prevention and other societal priorities are minisculecompared to programming that is entertainment based. 1udgets devoted todevelopmental programming are reflective of the miniscule programming outputtargeting the developmental agenda. This needs to be revised as a matter of

    urgency.

    78. The public broadcasting system should not be allowed to lag behind thecommercial sector in terms of technological innovations. In this regard anyfuture strategy of the /%1C must position the broadcaster as a leader in the

    uptae and usage of new technologies including obile television and Internet*rotocol television.

    79. % stable corporate governance mechanism is re$uired to provide long0termstability. These include strengthening the /%1C>s accountability to parliament,shareholder (government) and the public. The public ownership of the /%1C is

    central to its e!istence and sustainability.

    80. /ignificant entry barriers remain in place in the pay commercial broadcastingsector. 3egulation of this sector to enforce effective competition has notproduced the desired competition. There is a need to reloo at the behaviour ofdominant players, access to premium content including sports rights andaccess to critical infrastructure by the competitors in this sector to enable theentry of new *ay T4 services during the migration process, and new 6ree to %irplayers after switch0over in '+.

    81. The commercial broadcasting sector is still dominated by foreign

    programming even though media consumption patterns have demonstratedbeyond doubt the predominant preference of /outh %frican content. Aocalcontent $uotas need to be reviewed for all tiers of broadcasting. 3aising theproduction levels and values of the /outh %frican content will in turn re$uirecollaboration by the various governmental entities that are active in the culturalcreative industries space.

    82. -hile broadcasting is delivered through ever changing technologies, itremains a content and cultural industry. In light of this strategic role ofbroadcasting, the current local content $uotas at ++9 for /%1C and /%1C ',9 for eT4 and /%1C and 9 for *ay T4 services do not support our long

    term vision of a diverse /outh %frican broadcasting system 0 owned by thepublic, private and community sectors and reflective of the cultural, multi0lingualand demographic diversity and unity inherent in our society.

    83. Compared to other countries such as Canada, %ustralia and &igeria, /outh%frica has one of the lowest content obligations in the whole world. anycountries continue to impose foreign content and ownership limitations of themedia. In its approach to this matter, the %&C maintains that the broadcasting

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    policy review must prioritise national social and economic goals above privateinterests. In addition, the broadcasting policy must also provide a strategy tofast trac the local content development industry. The review of local content$uotas must be aligned to this strategy.

    84. uch still needs to be done to ensure that the community0broadcasting sector

    is reflective of the communities they serve in terms of directorship,management and programming. There is a need for concerted action to ensurea fair representation of women, the worers, and people with disabilities,children and the aged. *rogramming offered by the community sector still needto be diversified to cater for the special needs of these strata while alsocontributing to community development and upliftment.

    85. The capacity of IC%/% to effectively regulate in the public interest still showslimitation occasioned by funding constraints, sills shortage and confusion onthe means and ways of achieving effective regulation. There is an overridingneed to boost the capacity of the regulator to effective monitor the broadcasters

    in order to enforce licence conditions and regulations.

    86. The analogue system of broadcasting must be switched off by '+ and adigital terrestrial system should be built to replace it. This will re$uireconsiderable funds to maintain the penetration levels that have been achieved

    to date. #iven its immense public benefits, Digital terrestrial television(?TT)should be treated as a service with wider implications beyond the ICT sectorand broadcasting.

    87. The terrestrial digital way of distributing and accessing the televisionbroadcasting services presents a fresh opportunity for /outh %frica to realise

    the policy ends that are defined in the broadcasting environment. There is aneed to review the broadcasting system and policy framewor in its entiretybefore '+, to identify the gaps and barriers that have prevented therealisation of some of the important goals as well as plan for new services. Thisshould culminate in a new forward0looing broadcasting policy to coincide withswitchover by '+.

    88. #overnment must ensure that such a review is open to participation by allsegments of the /outh %frican population and outcomes informed by theirneeds. %s such ?TT should be present an opportunity to create a new industrythat is owned and controlled by /outh %fricans. The manufacture of /et0Top0

    1o!es (/T1s) should be lined to a long0term vision to manufacture Integrated?igital T4s (I?T4s) for local and e!ternal marets. ore emphasis needs to beplaced on the inter0operability of /T1s on both pay T4 and free to air toaddress consumer and competition needs.

    89. 6or government to promote a new manufacturing environment, the currenttariffs should be reviewed, as they do not protect vulnerable industries. ?igitalbroadcasting should be implemented as soon as possible in order to accelerate

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    the release the of Ddigital dividendE spectrum. The InternationalTelecommunication Union recognises that the ?igital ?ividend is to beallocated to new broadcasting services, wireless services, mobile broadband,public emergency and other services.

    90. The broadcasting policy review should create a regulatory framewor forsatellite services uplining in the country as well as those that uplin outsideour borders. %ppropriate public broadcasting obligations should also beimposed on commercial services, *ay T4 and 6ree to %ir /ervices (6T%s) toensure that public fre$uencies benefit more than "ust the owners and operators.

    D. PRINT MEDIA TRANSFORMATION

    91. In 77', the %&C adopted a edia Charter that set out the organisation>scommitment to the creation of an environment that promotes media diversityand media freedom. Over the years, the %&C has successfully introducedlegislation to promote and protect media freedom. %t the same time, variousinterventions were introduced to promote media diversity. The later include thecreation of the edia ?evelopment and ?iversity %gency to support communitymedia and small commercial media outlets.

    92. The print sector is still dominated by four big players, namely &aspers, %vusa,Ca!ton and the foreign owned Independent #roup. These companies alsodominate the entire value chain of the maret especially printing, distributionand advertising. This integration and the very maret structure is perhaps thebiggest barrier to maret entry and potentially shows possible anti0competitivebehaviour. Other mainstream media players include the # edia and T&%edia. Then, e!ist a number of small commercial print and community printmedia, who all face the challenge of sustainability.

    93. Over the years, the %&C has remained resolute that the media including printmedia patterns of ownership, management and content must reflect thedemocratic dispensation ensuring the freedom of e!pression freedom ofe!pression, which includes freedom of the press and other mediaB freedom toreceive or impart information or ideasB freedom of artistic creativityB andacademic freedom and freedom of scientific research.

    94. -e have consistently maintained that the freedom of e!pression does note!tend to 0 propaganda for warB incitement of imminent violenceB or advocacyof hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and thatconstitutes incitement to cause harm. -e have also insisted that freedom ofe!pression which includes the freedom of press and other media does notsupersedes human rights and other rights enshrined in the /outh %fricanConstitution and the 1ill of 3ights.

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    95. ?espite protestations and evident denial, the print media e!isted for manyyears as one of the pillars of the apartheid super structure providing rationaleand intellectual support to apartheid system. -hatever progressive mediafought for the democratisation of society was initiated and lined to mass

    democratic movement led by the %&C.

    96. The apartheid patterns and behaviour that treat /outh %fricans in an une$ualand discriminatory manner sometimes manifests in some of the conduct of theprint media in the content, coverage, distribution, management and opinions.?espite denials, this is natural, such attitudes and practices need to beconfronted for the media to be a mirror of the present democratic dispensation.The reality arising out of this situation is that the ma"ority of /outh %fricans donot have media that report and pro"ect their needs, aspirations and points ofviews onto the national discourse.

    97.3ecent reports from the edia ?evelopment and ?iversity %gency and the*rint edia of /outh %frica indicate that despite changes that have taen place

    since 778, regrettably the facts are that the average blac ownership in /outh%frica mainstream print media to date is 89 and women participation at 1oardand management levels is at the diminutive 8.889.

    -e' Issues and P"lic' P!")"sals

    98. The %&C needs to review its own edia Charter to tae into regard thedevelopments that have taen place since its adoption, strides that have beenmade in realizing the rights enshrined in it as well as the emergence of new

    technologies.

    99. The %&C remains committed to a media climate that is free from vestedpolitical and commercial interests. This has been our guiding principle in all theengagements and ongoing discussions on the media transformation andaccountability. -ithin this understanding, the %&C reaffirms the need forparliament to conduct an in$uiry on the desirability and feasibility of a mediaappeals tribunal within the framewor of the country>s Constitution that isempowered to impose sanctions without the loss of any constitutional rights.

    100. The envisaged parliamentary process should reinforce the /outh %fricanConstitution %ct < of 77FB review the e!isting media accountabilitymechanismsB balance the individual>s rights to dignity and freedom ofe!pression and freedom of the mediaB and review the privacy laws as well asthose dealing with libel and defamations.

    101. The departure point of the %&C is that /outh %fricans must en"oy the freedomof e!pression in the conte!t of a diverse media environment that is reflective oftheir situations and daily e!periences. %ccordingly, the following must beintroduced to encourage media diversity2

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    a)Introduction of an economic empowerment charter to promote 1road1ased 1lac :conomic :mpowerment in the sector. %mongst others,the Charter should address the availability of print media in thelanguages /outh %fricans spea and communicate with.

    b)/trengthening the ??% to support more community and commercialentities.

    c)The Competition Commission should focus on anti0competitivepractices within the sector.

    E. POSTAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE POST BAN-

    102. The postal infrastructure plays a significant role in the socio0economic

    development of the country. The %&C through its government has over theyears pursued efforts to stabilise the *ost Office through a range ofinterventions, including the allocation of financial and other resources for the/tate Owned :nterprises to meet its obligations.

    103. The postal networ has been e!panded to reach ' 8 outlets. The re0balancing of the postal infrastructure to ensure that postal outlet serves ama!imum of thousand /outh %fricans. This re0balancing e!ercise sees toredress the imbalances between the urban and rural areas of the country.

    104. *art of the strategy is to achieve universal access, including the rollout of

    addresses and other services to under0serviced urban and rural areas. Throughits massive and e!tensive networ the *ost Office act as a pay point for manygovernment services including municipality bills and traffic fines. Thiscontribution helps alleviate baclogs in the delivery of services to the peoplewhich is the central trust of our &ational ?emocratic 3evolution.

    -e' Issues and P"lic' P!")"sal

    105. The &ational %ddress /ystem should prioritise the rollout of addresses toinformal settlements and rural areas to ensure addressability for all householdsto achieve economic inclusion.

    106. The e!isting government>s financial support for infrastructure re0balancingincluding the rollout of the &ational %ddress /ystem should be continued.

    107. *rogress is being made to transform and corporatize the *ost 1an as apreferred ban of choice for the poorest people in urban and rural areas.;owever, more wor is needed to establish a sustainable mechanism for the*ost 1an. The *ostal Infrastructure and the *ostban are needed for

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    dump international mail on the /outh %frican *ost Office infrastructure withoutpaying anything has a long0term detrimental effect on the sustainability of the/outh %frican *ost Office. % policy to curtail this practice should beimplemented by government. This will include compliance with the internationaltariff regime.

    115. %ll three spheres of government must be encouraged to use the /outh %frican*ost Office. 6or its survival, the postal maret must continue to e!pandinfrastructure that will be used in the distribution networ. The connectedCommunity /ervice &etwor must also diversify services to integrate onlineservices. To this end the /outh %frican *ost Office must be supported toaccelerate evolution and migration of traditional postal services to e0servicesusing innovative technology platforms and electronic channels.

    F. ICT AND IMPROVING ORGANISATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND

    EFFECIENCY

    116. The %&C has often been in the forefront of strategies to engage with thereality of the information and communication revolution. It regularly usesresearch and opinion surveys to aid its elections strategy development, while atthe same time emphasising internal communications and discussions throughorgans such as ANC Today, NEC Bulletin, Umrabulo, and various provincial

    %&C publications and direct communications (door0to0door visits, mini rallies,sectorial meetings) with its mass base.

    117. The innovative use of Gnew media> was particularly evident during the '7

    elections campaign, pioneered by the %&C @outh Aeague and is one of thee!planations for the concerted outreach to young and first0time voters.

    118. The engagement on the issues of communications remains an important partof %&C organisational strategy, as recognised by the e!tensive resolution fromthe +st and +'nd&ational Conferences. The issue of ICT in the %&C has alsoarisen in the conte!t of discussions about organisational design andmodernising the operations of the movement.

    119. *roblems with the %&C membership system since the re0establishment of the%&C as a legal movement in 77, have demonstrated the need for a systemoverhaul. &ot only is our membership system inefficient (long waiting periodsfor membership cards, problems of renewals, etc.), but it also poses a seriousris to the %&C, since the system can easily be manipulated.

    120. %ssessments of the membership system indicate that there are a number ofchallenges in the Gmembership system value chain> that can be classified asinformation systems and technology problems. In addition to organisationalprocesses and systems, there are a host of other areas, where we have only

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    scratched the surface in terms of using information and communicationtechnology to improve organisational effectiveness.

    121. 6or e!ample, the +st &ational Conference 3esolution, reaffirmed by thesubse$uent national conference and national general councils, called for all

    %&C regional offices and branches to be connected to the internet, so as to aidinternal communications and improve efficiency.

    -e' Issues and P"lic' P!")"sal

    122. Though some progress has been made, we still have not fully implementedthe /tellenbosch Conference resolutions. To date all %&C provincial officeshave internet access albeit with slow connectivity. Only four provincial officeshave their own website pages, namely2 #auteng, Aimpopo, Hwaulu0&atal andpumalanga. &orthern Cape has encountered problems in setting up theirwebsite.

    123. %t this stage there is a problem with the connectivity of regions and only ahandful of %&C branches have offices, and communications between upperstructures and branches are still very much in the twentieth century (fa!es,branch mail slots in provincial and regional offices which must be collected inperson, letters delivered by organisers or 3:C members, etc.).

    124. To promote usage and universal access to information and communicationtechnologies amongst %&C members and the citizenry, the %&C should2

    a) %dvocate for and monitor the achievement of universal access to ICTs, issues

    of affordability and e!pansion of broadband, through its organisationalstructures and government.

    b) :nsure that its members are encouraged to understand the advantages ofICTs, and that they empower themselves through attaining e0sills.

    c) :ncourage branches to use ICT in communicating with individual members,including bul // and sending emails on branch and regional activities. Inaddition the %&C website should be used to communicate with members andthe public.

    d) ?evelop and e!pand use of social media to engage with especially youngermembers.

    125. The %&C needs to improve the %&C membership system, learning from otherinstitutions that also have mass membership systems, including2

    a) Creating a secure online system for applying and paying for membership, asan option for those who have internet access.

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    b) % secure // based system for applying for and paying for membership asan option for those who have mobile access.

    c) Immediately improve security of %&C membership system and databases tomae them less open to manipulation, especially towards conferences, and

    consider the use of biometric technology.

    126. -e should not abandon our wish for connectivity of branches and regionaloffices2

    a) DOne branch, one connected office by '+E 0 C campaign andprogramme, with an implementation and funding plan to achieve this must bevigorously pursued.

    b) -hilst branch offices may serve many organisational functions, branch levelconnectivity should not be dependent on a physical office. %lready many ofour members in almost every branch use their cellphones for personal e0mailing or web browsing.

    127. -e should see technology and ICT in particular as an enabler, not asubstitute for traditional organising and campaigning methods. /ending //s,emails and other forms of messages to %&C members and voters can beuseful, but it should not substitute direct engagement methods such as door0to0door wor.

    128. The %&C should continue to struggle for the sharing and participation of thepoor and the marginalised sector of our communities to be active participantsand beneficiaries of the opportunities created by the digital economy consistentwith the goal of pursuing economic growth, development and redistribution soas to achieve a better life for all which is one of the ey tass of our &ational?emocratic 3evolution.

    129. The %&C needs to strengthen and develop its capacity to stimulate demand toincrease broadband usage and uptae by generating relevant content, acrossdifferent communication mediums and for different target audiences. Thisincludes its online presence, improving its research and monitoring capacity,strengthening forums for ideological and policy reflection such as %&C Todayand =mrabulo, and developing writing sills, communications sills, sillsrelating to website and social media development amongst its cadres andleaders.

    130. There is a need for a fresh beginning to bring into the fore a coherentframewor, an institutional arrangement that enhances collaboration andeffective planning and oversight within the %&C and governmentcommunication. The current status $uo maes it difficult for the %&C to providenecessary oversight and to evaluate and measure communication impact ofcritical government institutions.

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    131. The %&C needs to develop its own ICT policy and strategy to drive itsadministrative and political systems. The said ICT policy and strategy mustencompass the overall training of %&C staff and leaders starting with thebranches. The %&C further needs to strengthen and develop its capacity to

    manage its own internal IT systems. The IT must have a political champion todrive the %&C ICT policy and strategy including overseeing the implementation.The proper authority regarding the IT should be located within theCommunications =nit to champion roll out and connectivity of %&C regions andbranches, to develop and strengthen ICT platforms, manage membershipsystem, including managing all conference registrations, and the lie.

    132. Communication is an ongoing e!ercise that re$uires continuous interactionand forward and bacward engagement. To strengthen the information sharingvalue particularly since developmental stories do no appeal much to themainstream media no edition of %&C Today should go on publication without an

    article from a minister highlighting their department>s programme, progress andachievement with regard to the implementation of the %&C>s programme ofaction in government. This must be mandatory.

    133. The %&C Today should further be a publication of choice for engaging,responding and debating current issues related to and or affecting the %&C. %spart organisational discipline leaders of the %&C should desist from discussing

    %&C issues outside of the %&C structures and forums. %&C Today is one sucha forum and original articles generated from it do migrate to mainstream mediaafter serving to educate and inform primarily our membership and supportbase.

    134. The %&C>s communication machinery and effectiveness as the ruling party isas strong as the %&C government>s communication machinery andeffectiveness. There is notable weaness in coordinated and streamlinedgovernment communications that has resurfaced in recent times which has hada negative bearing on how the %&C communicates and preforms on mattersrelated to governance and service delivery.

    135. 6or instance, the %&C government service delivery records are not easily andreadily communicated to influence and set the media agenda and thus do notform basis of dinner table and general media and social discussions. This isclearer during service delivery protests when in some instances people burnrecently built and or refurbished schools, clinics and public libraries in theprotest against lac of service delivery.

    136. The lac of government communication was also clearly evident during therecent national and local elections when it was left solely to the %&C campaignto highlights the %&C government achievements, conte!tualise the non0deliveries, where they e!isted, and still continued to battle for re0election inorder to continue pursuing the %&C transformation agenda.

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    137. In a pro0active and coordinated government communication issues of servicedelivery would not form part of political contest but what the desired futureshould entail and which political party is best position to tae our countryforward. The government communication system would have highlighted

    service delivery and conte!tualised the challenges.

    138. The %&C and its government need to strengthen other effectivecommunication methods to reach targeted communities lie using communitybroadcasting and public broadcasting services (radio and print) to highlightgovernment service delivery in the battle of ideas.

    139. #overnment communication should reach all citizens and in all languages and#overnment Communication and Information /ystem (#CI/) should bestrengthened in order to coordinate information flow among differentdepartments and among all three spheres of government (national, provincial

    and local).

    140. The local government communication should be strengthened throughenhanced training programmes and the #CI/ should further offercommunication support to parastatals and funding development institutions inorder to properly profile wor of these institutions.

    141. Our government is one of the biggest advertising spenders. %ll spheres ofgovernment should advertise in the community and small commercial mediathat produce media in the languages spoen by communities, to assist withmedia transformation and diversity, and the sustenance and growth of these

    media.

    142. In view of the advent of digitisation and new media, government needs toinvestigate possible options of unmediated government communicationsystems lie bul // and sending emails. The new opportunities provide aparadigm shift in government communications.

    143. #CI/ should support the communication of wor done by other public andstate owned entities that does not get media coverage. -e must use arts andculture to enhance communication and convey the values of our democraticsociety, e.g. sculptures, murals and other forms of public art.

    144. #CI/ has been in e!istence for more than ten () years, and it may benecessary to review the e!tent to which #CI/ has met the recommendations ofthe COT%/H including responding to challenges of governmentcommunications, agenda setting, empowerment of the citizenry withgovernment information in order for the people to be their own liberators, andsupporting efforts to favourable position our country as a preferred destinationfor foreign direct investment and tourism.

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    CONCLUSION

    145. /outh %frica has the potential to leapfrog its development through theadoption of policies and programmes that will over the ne!t decade or soensure a better life for all its citizens. % coordinated and targeted information

    and communication technology policy developed by the end of '' is onesuch enabler to ensure that we build the human capacity of all citizens andgrow an inclusive economy. The %&C needs to ensure that it advocate andlead in this regard.

    146. /uccess in the mass deployment and roll out of information andcommunication technologies to improve the lives of the /outh %frican peoplecan only be realised if the %&C government plays its role of coordinating anddirecting in a seamless way the many initiatives that are found in the threespheres of government, the governmental agencies, public owned enterprises,private and community sectors.

    147. Information and Communication Technologies, Communications, ediaTransformation and *ostal *olicies does not e!ist in a vacuum but it is (andshould) always be located within the broader developmental and growth policyconte!t. The %&C policy interventions should always be tailor made to addresssub"ective and ob"ective challenges on the ground.

    148. -hile much progress has been made to transform and grow the sector, a lotmore still needs to be done to meet the ob"ectives of our 4ision '. Ourapproach to this vision, should see to consolidate the lin between thecommunications policy environment and the broader developmental and

    democratisation conte!t.

    149. The %&C>s vision for the sector finds e!pression in various %&C Conference3esolutions and these resolutions reflect a perspective of the %&C over theyears, although the evaluation of progress show that implementation has beenconstrained by our government>s capacity to implement the %&C resolutionsbut they have also been constrained by policy incoherence, high staff turnoverin critical departments and business areas, and overlapping and oftencompeting institutions.

    150. This document provides a framewor towards a consolidated &ational ICT*olicy and /trategy that will enable us to use the information andcommunications technologies in an efficient and effective way to deliverservices by government to citizens and business, in transaction betweencitizens and business, and in public administration for a better life for all.