ICT could help eradicate poverty

By Damaria Senne, ITWeb senior journalist

Johannesburg, 09 Mar 2006

Civil society organisations (CSOs) must define the role that ICT can play in eradicating poverty, says deputy communications minister Roy Padayachie.

He delivered a keynote address at Sangonet's second annual "ICTs for Civil Society" conference in Fourways yesterday.

Padayachie urged CSOs to focus on ensuring more people have access to universal services. He also encouraged CSOs to position themselves to work effectively with government.

"Non-profit organisations should focus on identifying projects and programmes in which ICT can be defined as having an enabling role in reducing poverty," he said.

SME development

Tebogo Khaas, chairman of the SMME Forum, emphasised the need for broadband roll-out in underserviced areas. He said broadband is an important tool that can provide access to information and business markets for the poor, helping them bridge the gap between the first and second economies.

Khaas said the target of one million broadband subscribers by 2010 is insufficient. A higher target of five million subscribers in the medium-term would be more realistic considering the need in SA, he noted.

Transtel CIO Angus Hay agreed with this assessment. He said broadband is growing faster than even the best analysts predicted. Adoption does, however, depend on computer literacy, education and a passion for knowledge, he added.

Community development

Hay said that when comparing the licence issued to the second national operator (SNO) with those issued to underserviced area licensees, it can be seen that the two complement each other. In view of that, partnerships are likely to be forged with these providers instead of competing in areas where there is overlap.

He noted that a key challenge faced by the SNO is ensuring it does not over-promise and under-deliver.

Hay said that while consumer expectations are high, realistic targets have to be set. In view of that, the SNO expects to grow its market share to 50% of the population in major metropolitan areas within five years, and to 80% in 10 years.