On 29 July, the Western Cape Provincial Government launched its Disaster Management Information Management System (DMIMS) at a function hosted by the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) in Cape Town.
In her address, SITA chairperson Zodwa Manase said one of the organisation's main objectives is to enhance government service delivery to South African citizens through information technology.
"SITA is aware of the challenges faced by all three tiers of government and we are committed to helping government to achieve its objectives of bringing about a better life for all."
She added that SITA's role is to see IT being fully utilised to predict the possible occurrence of disasters. "Our role is to demystify IT and create an environment that is not only user-friendly but also tangible to the life of an ordinary individual in this country."
Manase also revealed that SITA is in discussions with safety and security minister Charles Nqakula regarding co-operation between SITA and the South African Police Services, and to strengthen the existing relationship further.
She said: "We have just successfully identified the Integrated Justice System (IJS) with the department of justice, correctional services and social services. The IT support provided to the IJS cluster will create a common platform where the approach to the management of criminal investigation, prosecution, sentencing and custody of criminals is integrated."
Manase said SITA is continuously engaging the private sector to deliver services to government through its Private-Public Partnership (PPP) model, and is in the process of building a core of BEE entities, SMMEs, and women empowerment initiatives in order to unlock the true South African IT industry.
"The situation in our country and indeed in the whole African continent is critical and we need drastic action if we are to begin to address the legacy of the past. It then becomes critical that we use information technology in all spheres of our lives to speed up the improvement of the quality of our lives."
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