The government has issued a warning to ICT vendors who sell "exorbitant, irrelevant" solutions to local government departments.
Speaking at the ICT in Local Government Summit hosted by ForgeAhead on the East Rand this week, Nomatjala Hlangana, deputy minister of provincial and local government, called on the ICT sector to root out corrupt elements.
She challenged ICT companies that victimise municipalities rather than provide them with effective solutions. Hlangana issued a warning to "companies that have sold exorbitant, irrelevant solutions" that such practices are not sustainable.
Joe Mazibuko, managing executive of the State IT Agency`s provincial and local government services, also emphasised the importance of ethical interaction between local municipalities and the ICT service providers.
He highlighted that one of his department`s key responsibilities is to assist in contract negotiation. Mazibuko cited an example in which a local municipality had signed a 50-year contract, without an exit clause, with a local service provider.
ICT without infrastructure?
Telkom executive Godfrey Ntoele outlined some of the key challenges that a service provider faces when providing connectivity to disadvantaged communities. He emphasised the need to first look at the social needs of the community before addressing the ICT needs.
"You cannot deal with connectivity without dealing with critical issues such as sanitation," he said.
Ntoele also urged municipalities to exploit opportunities presented by convergence and seek business partners that would be better placed to assist them in achieving their goals.
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