Some of the world`s most powerful personalities in the ICT sector will meet with president Thabo Mbeki near the Kruger National Park this weekend to discuss how ICT impacts the socio-economic development of the country.
The Presidential International Advisory Council on Information Society and Development (PIAC on ISAD) meets yearly to thrash out how SA can take advantage of opportunities presented by ICT in pursuit of economic growth and poverty eradication.
On several occasions, policy determinations are often announced around the time of the meeting. Communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri announced her surprise determinations about the liberalisation of the market on 3 September 2004, two days before this group met that year.
According to a Department of Communications statement today, the PIAC on ISAD comprises a group of CEOs, presidents, heads of major international corporations and experts who are active in the ICT field.
For this year`s meeting, six of the permanent advisors will gather, along with seven alternatives to the named advisors, and there is one application to join the committee.
Some of the key attendees at this year`s meeting will be Mark Shuttleworth; Sergio Giacoletto, VP for Oracle Europe and Africa; Esther Dyson, chairperson of venture capitalist firm EDventure Holdings; Henry Chiasa, executive deputy chairperson for the Nepad eAfrica Commission; and Rudi Lamprecht, a Siemens board member.
Other members of the commission who will have alternatives in their place include Hasso Plattner, SAP`s chairman and CEO; Jacques Dunogue, president of Alcatel`s area 4; Jorma Ollila, Nokia chairman; and Mark Hurd, CEO and president of HP.
According to the Department of Communications, Mike Zafirovski, president and COO of Motorola, is applying to become a member of the council.
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