African achievement recognised

By Candice Jones, ITWeb online telecoms editor

Johannesburg, 19 Nov 2007

The winners of the ninth annual African ICT Achievers Awards were announced at a gala banquet, held at the Sandton Convention Centre, on Saturday.

Kenya dominated in the individual award section, taking home three of the eight awards. Brian Longwe Munyao, from InHand, was awarded top businessman of the year; Jyoti Mukherjee, of Software Technologies, was recognised as top businesswoman; and Mwende Gatabaki, from the Kenya Tea Development Agency, scooped the top public sector CIO award.

Rwandan president Paul Kagame received the lifetime achievement award.

SA was strongest in the organisational categories. Dimension Data was recognised as top ICT company in Africa. Accenture was awarded the most transformed company. IBM SA and Integr8 IT were judged the top ICT workplace provider and most innovative company, respectively.

ForgeAhead, in partnership with the Department of Communications, presented the annual awards, which recognise individuals and organisations that have made a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.

These individuals and organisations support the challenge that countries in Africa face in leveraging ICT to make a difference around the continent, organisers said. This year`s awards took on the same theme as last year: "Make the African Century a Reality".

Jane Mosebi, MD of ForgeAhead, explained the origin of the awards: "What started as a programme to encourage black people to enter the ICT industry in SA has grown beyond our borders and has spread to the rest of Africa."

Mosebi highlighted the corporate social investment focus of the awards, saying: "We want to ensure we do not just recognise achievement. We must harness it and channel it back into the communities that are the hearts and future of our continent."

Make a difference

Albert Butare, minister of state in charge of energy and communications, at the Ministry of Infrastructure of Rwanda, spoke on behalf of Kagame, delivering a keynote address.

He said to realise an African century, countries need to build the foundations of science and technology to ensure Africa could move ahead with the rest of the world. "The future of Africa depends on being able to compete effectively with a highly globalised world community."

Africa is poorly connected, both within the continent and to the rest of the world, he said. "The gaps in IT infrastructure in Africa continue to hinder investment, economic growth and employment in this critical sector."

Speaking on behalf of Vodacom, governance director at Vodafone SA Bob Collymore highlighted the economic impact connectivity can make for Africa. "ICT has already changed lives forever."

He said Vodacom implemented a base-station project on the borders of the Kruger National Park to connect and educate farmers on the best uses of cellular technology. "Some of those farmers have already quadrupled their income."

The award for top private sector CIO was not presented this year. "The finalists in this category did not reflect the status of the award, especially in the context of Africa. As such, the judges declined to present a winner," explained Mosebi.