The Department of Trade and Industry, together with key players in the local information and communication technology and electronics (ICTE) sector, have launched what they describe as SA`s first branding and marketing campaign for the sector.
The R1.8 million pilot project was launched in Midrand this morning with trade and industry minister Alec Erwin describing it as "an immensely exciting initiative and a first for all sectors".
The Savant project has as its hub a Web site, www.savant.co.za, which went live today. "The online presence will play a pivotal role in attracting attention and disseminating information," said Erwin. Savant will also include extensive promotion material, advertisements and marketing exercises both locally and abroad.
Erwin said the ICT Development Council, launched about 18 months ago, was already demonstrating the benefits of joint initiatives to support and grow the local ICT industry.
The Savant project will expand on development aims by boosting the local industry`s profile. "Savant will be to the ICTE industry what SA Tourism has become for the travel and tourism industry," Erwin said. "That is exactly how we propose to position this initiative. The quality and quantity of our workforce, in conjunction with the development and advancement of technology, shows we have the potential to grow our support base both locally and internationally."
Erwin also compared the new initiative to the Proudly South African campaign, saying: "In the same way Proudly South African contributes to job creation, Savant is a truly unique attempt to realise the potential that exists within the South African ICTE sectors."
The initiative will promote six areas where it believes SA has a competitive advantage: IT training and certification, call centres, wireless development, pilot lab, niche software development and infrastructure development.
Savant`s private sector founder members include Absa, Comparex Africa, CS Holdings, Dimension Data, International Marketing Council of SA, Information Industry SA, MGX, MTN, Nedcor, Proudly South African, the SA Electro Technical Export Council and Telkom.
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