The Black IT Forum (BITF) has lashed out at the newly formed South African ICT Association (SAICTA), distancing itself from the new body and saying it should find its own platform.
"The group has no association with the BITF or SITA [State IT Agency]; they are not with us. There is no need for another organisation in the industry," says BITF chairman Mthunzi Mdwaba.
Following a SAICTA interview with ITWeb, Mdwaba this week stated the BITF is not willing to work with or join SAICTA.
In the interview, chief convenor Collin Fidelis said SAICTA would advocate for changes within SITA "together with the BITF". He further stated that, while the BITF had done some good work, it had failed to effect changes at SITA, which has had a troubled past and is largely seen as an inefficient and mismanaged organisation by the industry.
"There is a need for things to be done with more force. We believe that, together with the BITF, we can see SITA changing itself...We believe the BITF had the right approach and intention when dealing with SITA, but now we want to see why the BITF didn`t win," Fidelis said at the time.
SAICTA was formed in December 2008, at a conference which involved representatives from the broadcasting, regulatory environments and government sectors. An official launch was planned in February - but never took place. The group recently held a gala dinner, which Fidelis says was attended by 150 industry representatives. He says a conference is planned to "coincide with new appointments at elections". He says it will be for "people with issues to raise" and interactions with industry players.
Duplication
However, Mdwaba states he would "like them [SAICTA] to be successful" and that he "wishes them well" - but he is not convinced it is proposing anything the BITF has not attempted previously.
When asked about the progress of the association, Fidelis stated he is "in the process of engaging" the minister of communications. He has approached the minister regarding SITA management and the ICT charter. While he has not yet received a response from the minister regarding his request for a meeting, Fidelis believes he will be successful.
Mdwaba, who has been a vocal critic of SITA, says he is sceptical of SAICTA`s ability to enact change. "The BITF spent four years trying to get SITA to sit and talk. They are trying to do something the BITF is doing and we are a seasoned, matured organisation," retorts Mdwaba.
Fidelis also attacked the recent decision by the ICT charter steering committee to finalise the industry charter.
"There is a strong feeling that the industry was not consulted. The steering committee should have invited input from the industry. We don`t know who they have met with and who they talked to. We feel the minister has been ill-advised regarding this process," says Fidelis.
Despite the ICT charter process having taken four years, Fidelis says the steering committee is "in a hurry to resolve issues". With national elections less than a month away and an impending change in governance, "this is not the right time to finalise the charter", he says.
"I would like to see what the differentiation is between what they are saying and what the BITF has been doing all these years," Mdwaba says.
Old agendas
Mdwaba says the association is not founded on the right reasons or rationales - saying many people have defected from other associations to join SAICTA.
A case in point, says Mdwaba, is the membership of former BITF member Jane Mosebi. She has recently been appointed as spokesperson for SAICTA, while Mdwaba points out she was fired from the BITF.
Fidelis rejects claims that SAICTA is simply a breakaway group. He does admit though that the group`s membership does include people who were previously members of other associations - along with members from government and private organisations.
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