Analysts have welcomed the role government has given ICT in its development goals, but say there are still many gaps to fill.
Commenting on the Medium-Term Strategy Framework (MTSF), analysts have commended government for appropriately recognising the role of ICT.
However, the MTSF, unveiled this week by minister in the presidency Trevor Manuel, has also received strong criticism. The framework has come under fire for excluding broadband, business process outsourcing (BPO), green IT and not clearly addressing departmental responsibilities.
The MTSF will serve as the foremost frame of reference outlining government`s policy. The document lays out key government priorities and outlines the role of technology in industrial policy, social infrastructure and improving services.
Richard Hurst, analyst with the IDC, says that, while the MTSF is welcome, more is still required from government.
"I think that the framework has touched on the role of ICT in the local economy, but perhaps we require a more comprehensive policy from government, focused on ICT and its role in the economy. As far as the intentions of the MTSF go, it seems to have met expectations in a general sense," Hurst explains.
Frost & Sullivan ICT programme manager Birgitta Cederstrom also welcomed the framework.
"There is growing recognition of ICT`s role to play in growing economies across Africa. It [MTSF] does well to identify these sorts of drivers that could stimulate the local economy. It shows that the government is aware of where it can support local initiatives.
Denis Smit, MD of BMI-TechKnowledge, while criticising the exclusion of broadband in the framework, notes that enough recognition is given to ICT`s role.
"There is a disappointing lack of mention of a national broadband strategy and plan. Broadband is a transformative technology with a high economic multiple and should have been more prioritised. There is, however, enough and suitable commitment to deploying ICT for growth and developmental purposes," he says.
No shows
Broadband plans are not the only exclusion in the framework. Cederstrom notes the framework fails to mention contact centres.
"Frost & Sullivan firmly believes SA has the capability to gear up to become an international BPO destination. The country is starting to get international recognition for our skills in the contact centre and BPO industries, but we need to see more assistance and direction on the part of government."
She adds that a mention of green IT would also have been welcomed.
"The framework talks about environmental issues, such as solar water heaters and energy sustainability, but this is not carried through into the ICT space. Companies need to look at green IT initiatives and perhaps the government could even create guidelines on how companies could save power and be more sustainable in their ICT usage."
Spectrum allocations
Smit notes the mention that frequency spectrum allocation would prioritise development, is important as this is an important national resource. The MTSF states, as part of its strategic priority to ensure sustainable resource management and use, spectrum would be allocated.
This clause still leaves some questions unanswered, Smit notes. How this will impact existing operators is unclear, but it shows good government intentions in this regard, he says.
Who does what?
Analysts also agree the framework cannot serve as a clear guideline for plans by the various departments. Over the years, many ICT projects have spread across departments, causing delays in projects or the slow implementation of these initiatives.
"I think that this is where it may be somewhat unclear as to which departments will be taking responsibility for which elements of the MTSF, but perhaps more concrete guidelines will emerge from the departments themselves," Hurst notes.
With several departments being responsible for ICT projects, responsibilities need to be clearly allocated. These departments include the communications, science and technology, public service and administration, home affairs, justice and constitutional development, public enterprises and the education departments.
"The MTSF may be lacking clear guidance for specific departments, but this is an initial planning phase. There are no clear guidelines yet, but we need to decide on the right strategies first before finalising definite strategies. At least this framework starts us off on the right foot," Cederstrom notes.
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