Implement ICT priorities more rapidly: minister
Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services, Dr Siyabonga Cwele, says that South Africa is not blind to the technological changes sweeping the globe, adding that he wants to implement ICT priorities more rapidly.
Speaking at the Cisco Safari Conference at the University of Pretoria on Tuesday, the new minister noted that the National Development Plan calls for an e-literate society by 2030.
Among the priorities it highlights is “the Improving the quality of education, skills development and innovation”, he said.
“I urge both Cisco and our universities to continue on this path of collaboration and innovation in delivering skills and learning solutions especially to our youth,” Cwele said.
The minister noted further that both the National Development Plan and the broadband policy, SA Connect, recognise the importance of being part and parcel of a hyper-connected world.
“President Zuma committed our nation to implementing both these policies with fervour in this term of office and continuing with our vision for a bolder and better South Africa,” he said.
The minister said that the communications department is in the process of establishing an eReadiness Programme and Fund.
“More of this will be discussed at the upcoming National e-Skills Summit scheduled for November,” he said.
Cwele also said that, while SA has made much progress over the last 20 years in delivering a better life for all South Africans, persistent inequality and poverty still plagues the country.
“President Zuma committed us to a growth target of 5% by 2019,” he said.
Cwele said that addressing the shortage of ICT skills in the country and continent is an opportunity to be seized.
“Ensuring that our young men and women of our country have not only the e-skills, but also the e-astuteness to take advantage of the advent of the society of the ‘Internet of Things’ is vital to reaching this GDP target and overcoming the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and joblessness facing South Africa,” he said.
“I look forward to engaging with Cisco and other role-players in the ICT industry on how we can implement our ICT priorities more rapidly. I urge all to rise to the challenge, join hands in pushing for the e-skills revolution that will move South Africa forward.”
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