The information and communications technology (ICT) empowerment charter indaba in Sandton drew to a relatively quiet close yesterday, with indications of a common resolve and little evidence of the heated debate that had earlier grabbed the headlines.
Reports from each of the debate forums highlighted various points of contention and confirmed that no consensus had been reached on the issue of equity ownership in multinational companies. While recognising that the multinational issue is going to be one of the most difficult to resolve, the overall message was that the ICT sector understood the importance of transformation and was willing to actively engage in the process.
Working group chairman Dali Mpofu said the indaba`s success had been beyond expectations, thanks to the industry`s enthusiasm and government`s support.
Mpofu told delegates they now needed to move from airing their views towards formulating a draft charter. He said this would involve further research, consultation and debate. For this reason, effective communication throughout the sector was important.
Mpofu said the working group would process all the submissions and build on what had been achieved in other sectors in the process of drafting an empowerment charter for the ICT sector. He did not give definite deadlines, but indicated that timeframes would have to remain flexible.
In leading up to addresses by two government representatives, Mpofu said he believed the ICT sector had come up with a unique process in which government was not pitted against industry, nor black companies pitted against white. "We have found a platform from which we can talk as an industry," he said.
Willingness to transform
Department of Trade and Industry director-general Alastair Ruiters congratulated delegates on their achievement. He said key questions to government from investors were not about crime, but about ICT capacity and the skills base, and for that reason the process of working towards empowerment in the sector was important for investment and integral to establishing a competitive base in the country.
He said it was commendable that the ICT industry had come together and demonstrated a willingness to transform, but he said it was each company`s responsibility to support the sector by demonstrating commitment to empowerment through actions and not only words.
Ruiters told delegates that empowerment made business sense, but said it was not just about equity. He said it included commitment to human resource development, procurement and expanding the number of small companies in the sector.
Ruiters invited members of the ICT sector to join government in a partnership to make empowerment a reality. He said it was essential to making the next 10 years more productive so more ordinary people benefited from economic growth.
Learning from the past
Department of Communications director-general Andile Ngcaba told delegates they should learn from the past to chart the future. He said it was important to understand the industry`s history to find answers about the way forward.
He said as the sector worked to bridge the divides, they would remain partners. Therefore the principles of cooperation were critical to paving the way to the future.
Ngcaba joined Ruiters in affirming government`s willingness and readiness to engage with the ICT sector.
The final word went to Mpofu, who said the working group was pleased with the outcome of the indaba. He said members of the industry were talking to each other and that was a good start, although lots of work lay ahead. He said whatever differences there were, the indaba had shown that the ICT sector was united behind the slogan: "Hamba digital divide, woza transformation."
Related stories:
ICT must lead transformation, says minister
ICT indaba readies for BEE action
Empowerment charter discussion document launched
ICT sector divided over charter
Share
