Mthunzi Mdwaba, IT Personality of the Year 2004 award-winner and Torque-IT executive chairman, has lashed out at elements in the ICT sector which he says are manifesting unpatriotic behaviour and signs of non-commitment to transformation in the industry.
Mdwaba issued the criticism during his acceptance speech at the CSSA IT Personality of the Year 2004 award in Sandton last night.
Mdwaba said he had seen evidence of non-commitment in the letters he had received in his capacity as the IT Association (ITA) president, from companies threatening to disassociate themselves from the ITA if they could not have their way.
"I have had enough of disingenuous, unethical and hypocritical talk by unpatriotic and anti-transformational players in this industry, who by virtue of their positions abuse their privileges and have access to our political leaders, ministers and president to lobby them on 'garbage`.
"These people have an opportunity to be responsible and servant leaders - have the kind of access that the masses of this country, our communities and our parents can only dream of - and because of this access seek to subjugate and recolonise us in technological ways.
"Some of these people have the time and the resources to address letters, scheme and plan their lobbying strategies and have a multiplicity of platforms at which they can do this, while the rest of the industry is busy trying to balance running businesses on meagre resources, and transforming SA to ensure a better life for all.
"Over the next few weeks and months, we shall and must be listened to by our government, ministers and president in the interest of building and growing our economy and our country.
"We must liberate our people in our sector and concomitantly in our country. We cannot be led astray by people who have a conflict of interest in dealing with national issues that go to the heart of BEE [black economic empowerment]," he stressed.
To read Mdwaba`s full speech click here.
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