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The long road to transformation

The aims of the ICT empowerment charter are noble, but how long will it take before we see real transformation?
By Itumeleng Mogaki, ITWeb junior journalist
Johannesburg, 13 Oct 2004

The ICT empowerment charter has finally been formulated and is soon to be presented to Cabinet. But implementing it could prove to be an uphill battle.

Both the government - the biggest buyer of services in the ICT sector - and the charter working group are confident the charter will be implemented on schedule and the transformation process will be easily achieved.

ITWeb ran a quick poll last year on the need for the ICT empowerment charter. Results revealed the industry was divided on the issue. While half said there was a need for a charter, the other half were concerned about "forced empowerment".

Months later, I can`t help but question whether everyone involved in the transformation process now supports the charter. There are other questions too: Who will benefit the most from the charter? Will the small players be able to compete with the top guns? Will rural communities and women in ICT be better represented?

It will take months, if not years, for the ICT industry to be fully transformed, and patience is going to be key to ensuring everyone irrespective of race, behaviour, or how big or small a company is, benefits from the empowerment strategy.

Minister of communications Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri has expressed the government`s commitment to ensuring young black-owned companies and women get a slice of the ICT cake. However, fingers have been pointed at the government for marginalising small black-owned companies that often lack the financial resources to compete with the big players.

Instead of competing for a slice of the government pie, perhaps companies should look inward - at crucial issues like skills development - to make black empowerment succeed.

Implementing the charter should not be about 'splashing the cash` on businesses.

Itumeleng Mogaki, Trainee journalist, ITWeb

While there are many programmes in place to provide incentives for skills development, there are rumours that some ICT companies offering learnership programmes are in effect skimming the financial incentives and using the trainees as "cheap labour".

I feel that businesses need to focus seriously on skills development and better service delivery, rather than self-enrichment, then maybe the ICT charter will succeed.

Implementing the charter should not be about 'splashing the cash` on businesses. Rather it should be about putting in place the right resources that will enhance and sustain skills development for young black men and women.

The industry should realise that more focus on skills development, training, learnership programmes, addressing information and communication issues affecting rural areas, and encouraging young entrepreneurs to develop better skills, will automatically mobilise the transformation process.

A lot of input has come from stakeholders and varied opinions have been expressed in the drafting of the charter. Now it remains to be seen whether the charter will meet its commitment to transformation. With all the conflicting views that went into it, I don`t see the charter transforming the industry overnight. It`s going to take commitment and patience.

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