ICT preparations for the 2010 World Soccer Cup are one of the four key projects that are part of government`s programme of action, says deputy communications minister Roy Padayachie.
Speaking yesterday during the debate on the Department of Communications` budget vote in Parliament, Padayachie said the other three programmes are a task team to undertake a strategic analysis of the South African ICT industry, the development of a broadband policy and infrastructure plan, and the implementation of a digital migration plan.
Government has been criticised for not doing enough to ensure the country will be able to meet the technological requirements of the World Cup. The most recent uproar was caused when national signal distributor Sentech told Parliament in February that it had received no funding to upgrade its 30-year-old broadcasting network.
During his speech, Padayachie announced the creation of a sector-wide co-ordinating committee for the ICT industry for 2010 to be chaired by Victor Moche.
"The Department of Communications, as part of a broader government-wide initiative, is advancing plans to ensure the country is 2010-ready," he said.
Padayachie said the infrastructure to be developed will comprise of an international broadcasting centre and the host city broadcasting centres will provide a 2010 games legacy that will be put to good use by the ICT industry following the closure of the games.
"As a country we are determined to be 2010-ready and to meet the conditions of the guarantee given to FIFA [the soccer body] to host the most amazing moment in Africa`s history for the 21st century," he said.
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