Mashatile calls for more collaboration

Johannesburg, 18 Feb 2009

Gauteng premier Paul Mashatile has urged increased private-public sector collaboration to ensure the provincial government meets its mandate.

In his State of the Province address this week, Mashatile stated that the provincial government was on track to deliver on its five-year mandate to stimulate economic growth, accelerate service delivery, fight poverty and create work by 2009. However, he noted, it could not do it alone.

Mashatile also stated in his address that increased private-public partnerships will result in the success of initiatives such as the Gauteng-Link (G-Link) project and the expansion of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Scheme, which will result in an electronic tolling system.

Echoing statements made by finance minister Trevor Manuel, in his recent budget speech, Mashatile also stated the economy would prove resilient in the face of increased turmoil. He noted that the focus on investment would pay off.

“We have focused on investment in strategic economic infrastructure and targeted measures to broaden ownership and participation in the economy. We have joined hands with business, labour and other stakeholders to promote job creation growth in key economic sectors, including the biotechnology, competitive sports and the creative industries.”

Mixed results

The premier also claimed victory in the education sector, saying: “Today, many of our public schools have adequate facilities, computers and other necessary amenities to make effective learning and teaching possible.”

He attributed part of this success to the Gauteng Online project - the provincial initiative to build a school computer network across the province. The project aims to establish 25-seat computer labs, with full Internet and e-mail capabilities, created at all Gauteng schools. These will be used for curriculum delivery.

In February 2008, the project was awarded R450 million by Mashatile, who was then finance MEC, to fund implementation.

“Gauteng Online has expanded access to vital information and communication technology skills, especially to learners in our public schools. By the end of March this year, 1 600 schools will be completely connected online. We call on our communities to work with us to secure our children's investments,” he said.

However, the project has been riddled with a range of problems, ranging from theft and failure to provide Internet connectivity to schools, to tender irregularities.

In January, it was reported that 240 Gauteng schools' computers had been stolen by crime syndicates.

At the time, Gauteng Shared Services Centre (GSSC) head of communications Khusela Sangoni stated the GSSC was aware of the theft, but that it hadn't been able to confirm how much the theft is costing.

“The cost can only be quantified once the investigations are complete and we know the extent to which the project has been affected.”

While the GSSC has declined to use a database system as a security measure - an initiative which was successfully used in Western Cape schools - it has stated its focus is on detecting and deterring unauthorised entry into computer labs and securing the project's assets.

“A core aspect of ensuring security of the assets deployed in the Gauteng Online project was to install thin clients in all new labs. These thin clients, rather than the traditional desktops, have no street commercial value once removed from the environment of the computer lab, therefore, rendering them useless with no resale value for those intent on these criminal activities,” said Sangoni.

The missing link

Mashatile also reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to the completion of the G-Link project, in his address. The initiative aims to create a broadband network across the province and is estimated to cost between R15 billion and R35 billion. Blue IQ will manage the project strategy, while the GSSC has been tasked with implementation.

Former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa stated in his State of the Province address in 2008 that the provincial government was committed to ensuring 95% of the population had broadband access in the next five years. He added that G-Link would “add significantly to the province's GDP and job creation efforts by 2014”.

Mashatile, as finance MEC, allocated R93 million to the creation of the consolidated broadband network in June 2007. The project, however, suffered a range of delays with its business case and design of the network remaining incomplete in April 2008.

In June 2008, in his budget speech for the GSSC, Mashatile awarded the centre's technology support services unit R640 million. The money was earmarked for various technology initiatives, including the provincial broadband initiative, he said.

While details of the progress of the G-Link project remain scarce, the GSSC has said it “will move with greater speed with regard to the implementation of an initiative to provide affordable broadband capacity for the province. This initiative will see us achieving another important element of our vision 2014.”