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Minister gets charter

Johannesburg, 12 May 2005

ICT charter steering committee chairman Joe Mjwara and his committee have submitted the ICT empowerment charter draft to communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, bringing to an end a process that has taken two years.

The committee says the document, which was expected to be submitted last week, has now been finalised, after a "few amendments".

The Draft Charter draws extensively from the Draft Codes of Good Practice currently being finalised by the Department of Trade and Industries, in line with recent requests that the two documents be more closely aligned for the benefit of industry sub-sectors that will be expected to follow both sets of guidelines.

The final document has been posted on the ICT charter website, for the general public to view.

ICT charter steering committee member, Dali Mpofu noted earlier that the finalised charter followed a round of meetings with industry stakeholders, addressing specific areas that needed clarification. These issues, including that of 'double jeopardy` for those following two separate sets of guidelines, were raised by stakeholders in recent weeks.

Mpofu reiterated Mjwara`s earlier statement that once the minister has presented the charter to cabinet, the committee will have the final round of consultation with stakeholders, before it is recognised as the sector`s code of good practice.

Mpofu said the ICT charter is expected to be in operation by the second half of 2005.

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