Government sees small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) as an anchor for vibrant economic participation.
This was the word from Hlengiwe Mkhize, Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services deputy minister, speaking about government's e-strategy at the GovTech 2016 conference in Midrand yesterday.
According to Mkhize, government is of the view that SMMEs can be the tool that helps drive the country's e-strategy agenda.
SA's e-strategy proposes the implementation of smart initiatives by government to improve service delivery for all citizens, as well as provide higher quality and faster digital services.
Mkhize noted that some of the key themes of the recently published National Integrated ICT White Paper Policy emphasise open access for all infrastructure networks and the promotion of competition in the ICT sector.
Government's e-strategy is linked to the vision and spirit of the white paper. It is about the people being able to access government services and being drivers of their own development goals, she explained.
SMMEs can become an important tool that promotes awareness and inclusiveness, and reduces mobile broadband prices. "The country should have a coherent e-national strategy."
She stated SA has very good access to mobile phones, where people in even the most remote areas have a cellphone, but the issue is in the use of mobile data. "There is huge disparity in how mobile data is used by people in rural and urban areas.
"An open access network is neutral. Ideally, it is to ensure a person doesn't spend half their life looking for opportunities and information about how one gets to participate in the ICT sector.
"Government has identified SMMEs as an anchor for the country's developmental goals... We are working on a strategy which will really benefit our SMMEs."
Mkhize continued: "As much as SA is a developing country, the Apartheid economic infrastructure is skewed towards the few, which means the majority do not participate in the digital economy. The SMMEs are seen as an anchor for vibrant economic inclusion.
"Through technology, the strategy is to ensure new entrants in the economy are skilled enough and able to do the basics like getting information in their area of interest. We know that new entrants don't have the network, often they don't know how to access information and they don't know the growth areas."
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