Sources close to the National Broadband Advisory Council (NBAC) have questioned minister of telecommunications and postal services Siyabonga Cwele's commitment, despite Cwele pledging his full support to the council.
The NBAC, a legacy of former communications minister Yunus Carrim, was established by him in March to foster continuity between administrations - an important cause, an industry observer noted at the time, given the previous Department of Communications' (DOC's) ongoing instability.
Shortly after taking office, Cwele gave his full backing to the NBAC, saying the council is at the centre of partnerships with all sectors of society that government is building "to ensure we reduce the digital divide and achieve the goals of the National Development Plan". He noted such partnerships can also help eliminate duplication of infrastructure and map out priority areas for investment.
Speaking at the Broadband Infraco AGM earlier this month, Cwele reiterated the need for state-owned enterprises to form partnerships with private sector entities, and to see "how best they could co-operate" and work towards bridging the digital divide. He noted, given government's limited resources, the private sector would also be encouraged to invest in state-driven infrastructure development initiatives to increase access.
However, some close to the council have questioned the minister's commitment to the NBAC, as Cwele has not yet attended a single meeting.
"There have been two meetings since the new minister has taken over. He didn't attend the first one, but sent his DG (Rosey Sekese) instead," says a source who cannot be named. "The minister didn't attend the second meeting either."
The source explains, while a lot of groundwork had been done by the NBAC, few tangible results had been achieved. "A lot of scoping of the problems have been done, but no real results can be attributed [to the council]."
Not interested
Democratic Alliance shadow minister of telecommunications and postal services Marian Shinn says SA Connect - the country's broadband policy and strategy meant in part to be driven by the NBAC - is in danger of missing it targets for 2014. "It is supposed to be government's flagship programme, and not much time is left. It's worrying that the minister has not shown the slightest bit of interest," says Shinn.
Appointed for three years, the council's job is to advise the incumbent minister of communications on the implementation of SA Connect, which aims to have a 100% connected population by 2030.
Chaired by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research president Dr Sibusiso Sibisi - with Research ICT Africa director professor Alison Gillwald as deputy - the NBAC comprises technical experts and representatives of the public sector, business, labour and civil society. It also has two international experts from the International Telecommunication Union and the World Bank.
Neither Sibisi nor Gilwald could be reached for comment this morning. Cwele's spokesperson, Siya Qoza, acknowledged receiving ITWeb's questions, but did not revert by the time of publication.
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