The National Planning Commission (NPC) has recognised ICT as a key component in meeting its development goals.
The Medium-Term Strategy Framework (MTSF), unveiled yesterday by minister in the presidency Trevor Manuel, will serve as the foremost frame of reference outlining the government's policy.
The document lays out key government priorities and outlines the role of technology in industrial policy, social infrastructure and improving services.
The NPC has identified development challenges and defined priorities over the next five years. Ten strategic priorities for departments have been identified. This includes ensuring more inclusive economic growth, decent work and sustainable livelihoods, economic and social infrastructure, rural development, food security and land reform, access to quality education, improved healthcare and fighting crime and corruption.
Other priorities include creating cohesive and sustainable communities, improving Africa, sustainable resource management and the improvement of public services.
The framework notes SA should use natural resources and modern technology, including ICT, in a beneficial and sustainable manner.
The framework reveals a focus “on the development and utilisation of ICT as a critical driver of development, in terms of infrastructure development, its contribution to manufacturing and as a platform for transmission and processing of information”.
It also notes the importance of ensuring the country keeps up with global technological trends. Science and technological innovation is recognised as an important source of industrial competitiveness and sustaining growth. The creation of ICT infrastructure was highlighted as a means of building social and economic infrastructure. The NPC also says departments should ensure each school has access to ICT infrastructure and services. The role of technology solutions in the improvement of the criminal justice system and pubic service delivery was also noted.
ICT plans
Manuel also noted the MTSF reflects medium-term objectives. He added that the clusters of government are finalising contributions to a detailed “Programme of Action”, which will translate MTSF imperatives into a six-month government action plan.
He added that focus areas and targets highlighted in the framework will inform all budgetary submissions that national departments make. Also, the Integrated Development Plans of municipalities and the provincial growth strategies will need to take into account the priorities identified in the document.
The MTSF notes that it will build on the range of strategies and support programmes already supporting innovation and research and development in both the private and public sectors.
Measures will be put in place to support innovation and technological development in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, space science and technology and alternative energy technologies.
Increasing access to, as well as uptake and usage of, ICT through partnerships with business and civil society has also been identified as a key means of accelerating socio-economic development. The NPC says this can be achieved by creating a favourable ICT environment. Naming the digital migration process and the industrial possibilities, such as the set-top box manufacturing, the MTSF says a competitive market in domestic and international bandwidth can be created.
Education was also highlighted. The framework notes that quality skills are vital to the success of development objectives, and this can only be done through education. The MTSF noted that ensuring the educational system produces quality outcomes in mathematics and science. Increasing the number of university graduates in science, engineering and technology fields and in advanced research was also seen as key in improving innovation and R&D initiatives.
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