Gauteng will continue to invest in ICT infrastructure as the province positions itself as a driver of SA's digital economy, a hub of research and innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa.
This is according to premier David Makhura, speaking on day one of the GovTech 2016 conference yesterday.
This year, the GovTech conference, hosted by the State IT Agency at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, emphasises the use of technology to improve service delivery.
Makhura said the provincial development plan and 10-pillar programme envisages a connected society that will encourage an inclusive and knowledge-based economy.
"Together with the municipalities, the Gauteng provincial government plays a key role in the deployment and use of ICT to deliver education, healthcare, as well as other government services.
"The new digital revolution will fundamentally change the way government works and the way government relates to citizens."
According to Makhura, governments have been slow positioning themselves in the digital era; however, the Gauteng province has adopted a strategy of modernisation and reindustrialisation of the economy, which includes the revitalisation of the township economies.
He said: "Our goal remains that of being a smart province and we will continue to invest significantly in the ICT infrastructure and be a leader in e-government services.
"High-speed Internet connectivity is a critical foundational infrastructure requirement for success of our government's modernisation agenda."
Makhura further explained that the implementation process to connect government institutions via the Gauteng Broadband Network (GBN) is on track.
To date, the GBN is a 1 500km fibre network that runs across the province, he said. "By the end of this financial year, we will have completed connectivity to almost 900 sites covering five developmental areas in the Gauteng city region.
"The Gauteng provincial government plans to spend over R1 billion during this term of office to connect all government institutions in the province. We understand that by investing in ICT infrastructure, particularly in townships and historically marginalised communities, we are making sure these areas are not left behind in the connectivity world," he continued.
He said the province has invested enormously in partnerships with universities and technology companies to develop world-class innovation hubs.
Makhura told the audience that he recently met with industry leaders of ICT companies to discuss how the Gauteng government can work with them to improve access to connectivity and build partnerships that will ensure an inclusive digital economy as well as the promotion of digital skills.
"This has led to the formation of the ICT action plan committee that will allow the provincial government to work with the private sector to reach the goal of reaching 100% connectivity by 2020 in the province," he said.
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