DoC releases medium term strategy

Strategic goals

1. Enable the maximisation of investment in the ICT sector for socio-economic development, with a focus on job creation
2. Ensure that ICT infrastructure is accessible, robust, reliable, affordable and secured to meet the needs of the country and its people
3. Create new competitive business opportunities for the growth of the ICT industry
4. Accelerate the socio-economic development of South Africans by increasing access to, as well as the uptake and usage of, ICTS through partnerships with business and civil society and three spheres of government
5. Contribute towards building a developmental state including the improvement of public services and the strengthening of democratic institutions
6. Enhance the role of ICT SOEs as the delivery arms of government and support the regulator
7. Contribute to the global ICT agenda prioritising Africa's development
8. Facilitate the building of an inclusive information society to improve the quality of life

Significant goal objectives

Goal 1

• the Electronic Communications Amendment Bill introduced to Parliament in 2011/12 and enacted in 2012/13.
• Also in the same timeframe, the ICASA Amendment Bill introduced and enacted
• The ICT Rural Development strategy will be adopted and implemented with interventions facilitated and coordinated
• Under the increased broadband penetration, accessibility and affordability, the department hopes to achieve a 10% penetration into households by 2013/14 and 5500 new connections to schools and adjacent health centres by 2012/2013.
• Access to Digital Broadcasting Services by all South African TV-owning households through a scheme for ownership support will be rolled out as a plan by 2012/13. Simultaneously the STB Manufacturing Development. Strategy will be implemented and the facilitation and monitoring of DTT infrastructure roll-out will be concluded, with 96% of population coverage achieved.

Goal 2

• Secure cyber environment through a Cyber Security Policy, implemented and monitored by 2012/13

Goal 3

• Increased development of local and digital content through a local and digital content development strategy
• Three Application (Apps) factories (Laboratories) established to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and the development of SMMEs in 2011/12, three more in 2012/13 and three more in 2013/14
• Develop a comprehensive report on the strategic value and economic strength of SA's creative industry including its potential for job creation in 2011/12 and implement recommendations in 2012/13

Goal 4

• Current National Radio Frequency Spectrum Plan validated from 20GHz to 100GHz in 2011/12 and validated from 9kHz to 500MHz in 2012/13
• Youth and ICT strategy implemented including the service deployment for the 800 e-cadres, training of 450 ICDL learners and exit strategies confirmed for at least 20% of the cadres concluded in 2011/12. In 2012/13 - 350 e-cadres, training of 150 ICDL learners and exit strategies confirmed for at least 17% of the cadres and in 2013/14 - 450 e-cadres, training of 200 ICDL learners and exit strategies confirmed for at least 17% of the cadres.
• Gender and ICT strategy developed, including finalisation of the gender audit, mobinet portal developed and young women in ICT project implemented in 2011/12
• Disability and ICT strategy implemented 2011/12
• ISSA capacitated and programme implemented in 2011/12 focusing on software development and research and a joint software engineering mentorship programme
• e-Literacy Training for 1100 youth implemented in 2011/12 with a further 1500 in 2012/13 and 2013/14
• e-Skills pilot training programme commenced in 2011/12
• Network of universities, FET colleges and corporate schools expanded by another four in 2011/12 and six more in 2013/14.
• International training and development opportunities secured through bilateral cooperation with India, Cuba, South Korea and Mexico in 2011/12, extending to Brazil and other countries in 2012/13 and 2014.
• e-Commerce platform for SMMEs developed and in operation by 2011/12 with 35 ICT business linkages facilitated
• Implementation of the action plan to benefit SMMEs in the Broadcasting Digital Migration value chain monitored (manufacturing, distribution, installation and maintenance)
• Establishment of two ICT hubs in two additional under-served provinces facilitated in 2011/12 and a further three in 2012/13

Goal 7

• Proposed standards for international spectrum pricing promoted in SADC and AU - feasibility study to be conducted by SADC in 2011/12. Implementation of international spectrum pricing study outcomes implemented in 2012/13 and a contribution towards the development of a cyber and BDM framework in SADC and AU provided.

Goal 8

• Country Information Society Readiness report produced in 2011/12
• Centre of Excellence model adopted and implemented in Free State and KwaZulu-Natal provinces in 2011/12, in the Eastern Cape in 2012/13 and Western Cape in 2013/14.

Key programmes

It further outlines six key programmes for the department and its portfolio organisations:

1. Governance and administration
2. ICT international affairs and trade
3. ICT policy development
4. Finance and ICT enterprise development
5. ICT infrastructure development
6. Presidential national commission

The last programme is currently under review and is likely to change.

Go to www.doc.gov.za for the full report.