The African National Congress (ANC) will this week discuss a resolution that could see government integrating all its investments in the ICT sector.
The party, along with alliance members Cosatu and the SA Communist Party, is meeting in Durban from today for its national general council (NGC). These meetings take place between the ruling party's national conferences, allowing the party to review progress and challenges, the ANC says. Its last national conference was in Polokwane in 2007.
The ruling party developed eight discussions documents in preparation for the NGC, including a 16-page paper on its proposed ICT resolutions. The proposed consolidation of the state's ICT investments is aimed at improving delivery of services, it says.
Additionally, the ANC is proposing that the governance of state-owned ICT entities be streamlined and consolidated under a single authority, to ensure “coherent implementation of national policy”. This would allow for the “effective co-ordination and oversight by [the] relevant political office bearer”.
Audit, align, enhance
The ANC is also proposing that a performance audit be conducted to determine the effectiveness and relevance of ICT entities. This audit should cover institutions like the State IT Agency (SITA) and Universal Service and Access Agency of SA (USAASA), it clarifies.
The ANC's discussion document says the aim of the proposed audits is to ensure alignment and leadership.
Acknowledging funding difficulties at the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA), the ANC proposes the exploration of funding the regulator through licence fees, without compromising its accountability to Parliament.
“An additional levy could be imposed on the operators to finance ICASA for this purpose, in addition to the levy they pay for the use of spectrum and licence fees,” it says.
What's more, the party suggests ICASA's Complaints and Compliance Committee be transformed into the ICT sector tribunal. This tribunal should hold the same mould as the Competition Tribunal, the party says, in order to “effectively enforce compliance” with relevant laws and regulations.
The NGC takes place from 20 to 29 September.
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