The Department of Communications (DOC) commemorated Africa Telecommunications Day this week, in celebration of the establishment of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU).
Communications minister Roy Padayachie, and his deputy, Obed Bapela, set the agenda for the telecommunications sector at the celebration.
Padayachie emphasised that this year's theme for the ATU celebrations spoke to the pillars that the department plans to address within the telecommunications sector in the next 12 months.
“The theme for this year, ICT services for the promotion of peace and security in Africa, speaks to our short and long-term goals as a ministry.
“We are committed to educating the general public about the importance of ICTs in the advancement of society's goals and the creation of a better life for our people. In taking the theme forward, the South African government is committed towards the advancement of peace and stability in the continent of Africa.”
The ATU is the regional body for the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and co-ordinates the regional positions in relation to the Standardisation, Radio Communication and Development ICT agenda.
It was established by the African Union in 1977, and is the continental organisation that has been fostering the development of ICT infrastructure and services, according to the DOC.
ICT for peace
The department says it will embark on outreach programmes to ensure the South African community is kept abreast with the value that ICT brings in relation to improved service delivery.
“The Ministry of Communications will engage with licensed operators, original equipment manufacturers, including educational institutions, to ensure that a sustainable capacity building programme is developed and delivered to our people. The minister will also ensure that the infrastructure, which will serve as a platform for the capacity building programme, is made available.”
The DOC adds that the biggest achievement of the ATU is the central role it has played in the co-ordination of Africa's ICT development needs to meet the global standards of best practice.
“It has been called on by the African Union to develop innovative ways of making use of ICT and other means of disseminating, exchanging and using information conducive to peace and development.”
Information superhighway
In line with this, Padayachie is committed to building a people-centred inclusive information society in a sustainable world-class ICT environment, says the department.
The DOC also mentions SA's recently awarded seat on the ITU Council. “[It's] an achievement which will see SA's ICT commitment to the world by building strong partnerships for policy development with international counterparts.”
BMI-TechKnowledge MD Denis Smit previously said that, along with a prestige factor, there will be great advantage for SA to be on the council, because it will bring the country closer to the global regulatory framework.
“A stronger relationship with the ITU will also be a great advantage in maintaining standards and it will be technically good for the country.”
The department says one of its main priorities is to finalise the ICT Rural Development Strategy, which will see the roll-out of an information society to rural areas. “This will see ICT tools being made available to rural communities in order for them to be able to connect to the information superhighway, while also producing the financial resources to sustain rural communities.”
“We will ensure that our programme is attained through partnerships with private sector, civil society, labour, other government departments and their institutions. It is also important that we develop monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to make sure that we measure our success and improve where required,” says Padayachie.
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