Adrian Schofield, president of the IT Association, is back from a four-day trip to New Delhi during which he co-represented local IT at the annual Partnership 2000 Summit and developed links with the Indian IT industry.
Together with Zeth Malele, CEO of Ariel Technologies and vice-chairman of the Black IT Forum, Schofield was invited to join the IT sectoral forum and the Indian/SA sectoral co-operation bilateral meeting`s Working Group.
Schofield says there is already ongoing bilateral dialogue between India and SA under the banner of the India South Africa Commercial Alliance (ISACA) and being invited to join these forums coincided with ISACA agreements on sectoral work programmes for the summit. The sectoral forum and the working group were in contact with local business representatives and also participated in the summit.
Delegates followed a full agenda that included meetings, discussions, speeches, presentations and social gatherings.
Throughout the trip, says Schofield, the IT delegation emphasised that they were not particularly interested in companies wanting to just set-up shop in SA, as they preferred establishing partnerships for the purposes of skills development and the building of local capacity.
Dynamic
Schofield describes the Indians as "dynamic but aggressive" in their approach to IT. This is something he seems acutely aware of in terms of implications for the South African IT market and its future.
"We need to work out ways of capitalising on relationships with Indian companies, because if we don`t they will overrun us. They are very aggressive and they are achieving success and wisdom in opening a [local] office that allows them to trade in the country. In terms of the real potential that we have here to become the exporters of IT into Africa, relationships with Indian companies will release capital and skills to make our system work," explains Schofield.
Skills transfer
Whatever ties exist and could exist with India, Schofield expresses the hope that a transfer of skills will take place. He says the Indians are particularly strong in the fields of programming and systems technology.
But Schofield also warns of others ready to take advantage of an IT industry slow to act on nurturing the growth of the local skills base.
"Without an effective IT industry, other sectors won`t be able to keep pace with those abroad. We need to begin creating a pool of skills; we need probably another 200 000 or 300 000 people to be employed in IT. Now that`s about five times the number of people who are currently employed, a significant increase... but unless we get going on it, we`ll get left behind and others will fill the gap."
He adds that India has a vast amount of people and low cost resources that it can draw upon.
Technology hubs
During their visit, IT representatives also had a look at one of India`s Software Technology Parks that Schofield says are "dotted around India". The parks are data-type environments that serve as an area offering budding software companies guaranteed links to the outside world through means of a choice of radio, microwave and satellite communication. This forms part of the existing infrastructure.
"I think it`s a philosophymethodology that we should look at in terms of various places in this country that want to become technology hubs. We have the City Project in Cape Town; we have the Midrand Digital City, but if we took what works from the Indian example, it would give us great steps forward."
He says there are some concrete outcomes from the visit but is not in a position to specify exact details. Schofield echoed the same sentiment as that of Malele, who described the trip as worthwhile in terms of potential business.
And Schofield has a message for his own organisation. He notes that ITA members, generally, do not perceive themselves as exporters. He adds that he will try to show them the potential benefits of looking at a market like India and at a market like Africa in conjunction with India.
"Rather than saying 'well, we can`t compete with First World markets`... there are a lot of other markets we can compete in."
Related stories:
Share