Govt defends IT empowerment survey

Johannesburg, 25 Oct 2002

The Department of Communications has rejected criticism of its planned IT sector empowerment assessment. Spokesman Robert Nkuna says criticism is unfounded, since the department wants to address specific issues that may not have been covered in previous audits.

The department`s comments follow disapproval of its announcement that it will appoint consultants to assess the level of black participation in the information and communications technology, broadcasting and postal industries before imposing transformation targets.

While most organisations and companies were either cautious or pleased at the news, Information Industry SA president Adrian Schofield criticised the plan, saying it would duplicate efforts already completed by the Department of Labour and the National Skills Authority.

Schofield, quoted in Business Day, also pointed out that employment equity legislation is already in place and that many initiatives are under way to achieve equity and empowerment.

He said the labour department has already issued comprehensive figures detailing the proportion of previously disadvantaged workers at various levels in the sector. Its finding showed that 88% of top managers are white, with 77% male and 11% female.

Nkuna says the department is acting in line with its mandate to promote empowerment in the sector. "When research is conducted, it is always done from a particular perspective. This research will be tailor-made to promote the department`s aims of promoting empowerment.

"It will therefore cover specific questions such as the defining features, inhibiting factors and interventions needed as regards to empowerment in the sector."

Nkuna did not rule out the possibility that earlier findings would be taken into consideration when drawing up a comprehensive picture of the situation in the sector.