Nominations have opened for the Forge Ahead BMI-T African Achievers awards 2003.
The organiser, Forge Ahead BMI-T, says the awards will recognise more achievers across the continent this year.
The event, which has evolved from the Black Achievers Awards, aims to recognise those who have attained excellence in the ICT industry. In the past, the focus was purely on South African achievers. However, the organiser says the programme now reaches across SA`s borders into the SADC region.
In a bid to boost much-needed skills development within the African ICT sector, the organiser has introduced new awards this year: the Top Teacher award, an award for the Creative Use of ICT in Education, and the Top Black SME award. Forge Ahead is also in talks with the Government Information Technology Officers` Council on creating a further two categories.
This year, awards will be made in these categories:
- Top ICT Professional of the Year: For an individual who has made a significant contribution to their organisation and society at all levels and for personal achievement and excellence in ICT. Previous winners include Jabu Sibanda (2002), MD of Choice Technologies, and Lucky Khumalo, CEO of Mthombo IT Services.
- Top Black Woman in the ICT Industry: For a woman in the ICT sector who has made an outstanding contribution to her organisation and society as a whole, and reflects personal excellence and achievement. Sharoda Rapeti, SABC`s MD of technology, was the 2002 winner in this category.
- Youth Innovation Award: Recognising a student or group of students for their innovative and original use of ICT. Five students from the IR Lesolang High School in Winterthal, Pretoria, won this award in 2002.
- Top ICT Teacher/Educator of the Year Award: For the educator who has shown the most initiative in applying ICT in education and has been nominated by his or her learners or peers.
- Civil Society Award for Bridging the Digital Divide in Africa: This award selects the best of the best from those individuals or groups doing the most to bridge the digital divide in Africa. SchoolNet SA won this award in 2002.
- E-Government Award: Acknowledging the national, provincial, or local government department that has made the most progress on the e-government path. The City of Cape Town won this award in 2002.
- Creative Use of ICT in Education: Rewarding an educational institution in the SADC region that is creating educational initiatives and programmes through the implementation of ICT.
- Most Progressive ICT Company of the Year: This award is made to a "traditional ICT company" showing progress in terms of promoting black economic empowerment, transformation and bridging the digital divide. Previous winners include CS Holdings (2002) and IBM (2001).
- Top Black ICT Company: For the most admired black ICT company, which must have a turnover higher than R25 million and more than 50 staff members. Previous winners include Choice Technologies and Cornastone Holdings (joint winners in 2002).
- Top Black ICT SME: For the most admired black ICT company with an annual turnover lower than R25 million and less than 50 staff members.
Nominations can be made online.
Share
