Telkom CEO Sizwe Nxasana has suggested that government should implement trade and tax reforms in a bid to address the digital divide in SA.
In a statement released to the media, Nxasana said while technology such as the Internet and cellphones had vastly increased our freedom to communicate, the majority of the world`s population did not enjoy equal access to information.
Measures which could be taken to resolve problems of access to information included government investing in capabilities to develop indigenous content, introducing trade and tax reforms on IT and telecommunications, boosting education and training to tackle illiteracy.
The introduction of regulatory reform, liberalisation and allowing private enterprise to partner government in building an infrastructure that will meet the requirements of international investors and local business alike would also be key in addressing the digital divide.
Speaking at the International Communications Forum in Cape Town yesterday, Nxasana said SA needed information and communications technology to achieve its national objectives, including quality education, an ideal health system and job creation.
With Sub-Saharan Africa having the least developed infrastructure in the world with a mere 0.4% of the world`s telephone lines, Nxasana said it was imperative that ways to implement innovative solutions continued to be sought to breach the digital divide.
"If Africa`s potential is to be realised, and if its citizens are to actively participate in the democratic system, the continent must be fully integrated in the information age," said Nxasana.
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