The Department of Communications (DOC) refutes claims that its 2011-2014 strategic plan was rejected by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications.
DOC spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso says media reports stating the plan had been sent back to the drawing board by the committee are incorrect.
However, committee secretary Albertina Kakaza says some additional work does need to be done on the plan.
“We did not reject the plan as such, but there are some issues that the committee wants to further discuss with the department. We are waiting to see when they can come back to have these discussions.
“So it was not rejected, but some issues need more clarity and discussion. They are doing some more work on the plan.”
Discuss please
Acting communications DG Harold Wesso says the department normally goes through the strategic plan item by item at the committee meeting, but this time he and the minister decided to cover the key projects within the plan.
“We covered all the main things to give the committee a sense of focus and depth and commitment.”
Wesso adds that towards the end of the meeting, however, committee members wanted more information in future discussions.
“The strategic plan was not rejected or anything. So we don't have to do more work on it; the committee just wants to have more discussions.”
Clarification request
Democratic Alliance shadow minister of communication Niekie van den Berg says the committee has an oversight function, and to perform the function, it needs more information than was made available.
“I don't get the analysis of the industry. We need to understand what are the challenges that are currently in the industry. What is it that we seek to do as a department to address those? If there is a need for policy review or introduction of new policies, that is something that must be captured in the strategic document.”
The plan also did not address implementation sufficiently, according to committee member Mavis Nontsikelelo Magazi.
Other flaws in the strategic plan that were raised by the committee were the lack of clarification on what role the DOC will play in ensuring computer and ICT skills training at schools, how far along the cyber security policy is and when it will be implemented, and what the expected broadband penetration is for the department's 2020 vision.
Members also said the document is not specific enough and more information is needed so success can be measured and so they can determine what will be achieved and when. The committee said when the department talks about investment and innovation it must clarify where the investment is coming from and what will be invested in.
Six of the best
The DOC expressed a strong focus on ICT development, policy implementation and skills in its strategic plan.
It says there are six key pillars in its turnaround strategy. The plan includes stabilising its public entities; reconstructing and developing the DOC; forging partnerships with the private sector, academia, civil society organisations and labour; building an integrated national broadband plan; and building a people-centred inclusive information society and knowledge-based economy.
Its last pillar covers its major projects for the medium-term, which include the E-skills Institute; rural ICT development; e-connectivity and the 2010 legacy; and a local and digital content development strategy.
“The abovementioned six pillars are intended to establish a new platform, creating the necessary wave of change that will lead the ministry and department to actualise the vision that the DOC has set for itself of being a global leader in the development and use of ICT for socio-economic development and the betterment of people's lives,” says the DOC.
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