The IT sector was noticeable for its absence from the combined Technology Top 100 and President`s Award for Export Achievement (PAEA) ceremony at Gallagher Estate last night.
While chemical, design and engineering firms walked away with awards for their export achievement and technical innovation, IT companies deriving most of their income offshore were missing from the list of recipients.
The awards serve to highlight private sector excellence in the export and technology fields.
Some IT companies were recognised, however. Thawte Consulting, the certification authority, received the PAEA in the Service Sector category and Softline received a Technology Top 100 award in the telecommunications and IT category. It shared the category with IST Telecom.
UEC Technologies, maker of digital satellite decoders, scooped five major awards, including the Minister of Arts, Culture and Technology award and the MTN special award.
In his keynote address at the ceremony, President Thabo Mbeki recognised the need for technological development. "We are all in agreement that technological innovation is fundamental to economic growth and development, and the efficient use of resources and social progress and keeping up with events in the rest of the world." He added that the "Imaging South Africa" campaign, aimed at branding the country internationally, will highlight the technology that emanates from SA.
Roy Marcus, founder of the Technology Top 100 awards and president of the Engineering Association, expressed his confidence in South African technology in general. "These companies have shown that they are true competitors in a global market, defying the competition and armchair sceptics," he said.
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