Communications minister Yunus Carrim is calling on South Africans to challenge government on the deadlines it has set out and the promises it makes.
Speaking today at the first Google Big Tent event to take place in sub-Saharan Africa, Carrim said, just as government needs to be organised - so does civil society. "We, as government, witll do all we can to deliver and [society needs to] take to the streets and put pressure on us to deliver on our crucial ICT goals.
"Help us to help yourself via government. You don't have to like us or vote for us, but this is your country, and that of your grandchildren."
The Department of Communications (DOC) was the subject of much criticism under former minister Dina Pule, for not having completed many of the projects she set out to finish. After Pule was sacked in July, Carrim quickly set to work on strategizing with a view to getting as many of the projects done and dusted as possible, before the 2014 elections.
Last week Carrim vowed to make a definite move on the lagging broadband, spectrum and ICT policies. He said the National Broadband Policy would be finalised by November, while the the long-awaited policy on spectrum allocation will finally see the light of day in March next year.
He committed to bringing out a green paper on the ICT policy within the next two-and-a-half months, and a white paper by the end of the year. "I am hoping for a white paper on SA's ICT policy before the elections."
With regard to what may happen to his title of communications minister after the elections next year, Carrim says he has no culture of entitlement, and it does not really matter who takes the post- as long as the person can deliver. "The concern should be over what can be done between now and April."
Carrim also said the media has portrayed him as some kind of knight. - an ideology that is not true, he says. "I don't want to personalise this. Some of my predecessors were powerful people with more clout than me. All of us have to do this together - it's not the job for a minister alone."
He says he aims to create a more effective DOC and a less fragmented ICT sector.
"I will hold myself and the department to account."
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