Johannesburg, 30 May 2001
The Realmakoi initiative is the first formal online database that aims to identify black entrepreneurs in the information and communications technology sector and a lot of laudable work has gone into aspects such as areas of definition in terms of ownership, management structure, skills base, areas of expertise and focus, as well as the revenues they are generating.
So says Dr Hasmukh Gajjar, national chairman of the Black Information Technology Forum (BITF), in response to the unveiling of the initiative in Johannesburg Tuesday, describing Realmakoi as "an extremely useful start.
"It spans the entire spectrum of companies in terms of size and capability. The fact that there is a beginning to identify and highlight genuine black ICT is the first blow in our battle to overcome the issues of `fronting` and `landlords` - people who are dealmakers or win contracts to create a wealth based solely on commission and kickbacks. These are the activities that have prevented the genuine black technology companies from winning those contracts.
"We will never probably be entirely rid of `fronts` and `landlords`," admits Dr Gajjar, "but this initiative is a good start in minimising such practices. It will also put pressure on people who want to create wealth to realise that this is a long, hard road that has to be walked. Unlocking wealth is not measured on a 90-day timescale."
Dr Gajjar adds that Realmakoi has to be built upon and that BITF was "certainly in discussion with Forge Ahead to explore working relationships around this project.
"Forge Ahead has made an enormous contribution to the workings of the Forum and we don`t want to lose that. At the same time, however, BITF needs to be recognized as an independent and impartial entity. So while we will continue to work together with Forge Ahead and encourage the company with regard to Realmakoi, we will continue to explore ways to establish a more formal relationship.
"The BITF must, at all times, maintain its transparency, since this is the only way one can attain independence and impartiality. If we structure a relationship with Forge Ahead, it needs to be a partnership that is open to everyone else.
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