Industry watchers have once again been disappointed by a lack of focus on ICT, this time in the Gauteng state of the province address, by premier Nomvula Mokonyane yesterday.
With the minimal focus placed on ICT in both the national budget and the state of nation addresses recently, the last hope was for ICT to be highlighted in yesterday's speech.
ICT industry analyst at Frost & Sullivan Protea Hirschel says the lack of resources and funding doesn't help ICT gain the spotlight.
“Revenues are under pressure and this impacts priorities, and the priority now is service delivery and infrastructure,” says Hirschel, referring to Mokonyane's strong focus on these two areas in light of the 2010 World Cup. “Tourists will be travelling on roads and not information highways, so maybe that's it,” adds Hirschel.
In her address, Mokonyane said: “Our programme is about what we will be doing towards fulfilling our unequivocal commitment to an improved quality of basic education; a long and healthy life for all the people; safety and security for all; economic growth that translates into decent work and improved living standards; vibrant, equitable and sustainable rural communities, with food security for all; infrastructure development and sustainable human settlements; and a responsive, accountable, efficient and effective local government.”
What was missing
The role of ICT in any of the above goals, or in the programme itself, is not immediately evident, even though decisions on the big ICT projects were expected to be discussed.
None of the province's major ICT projects received a mention and no updates were given.
Mokonyane did mention the failure by the Gauteng provincial government to pay service providers last year. The total amounted to R1.7 billion and was supposed to be paid up by September 2009, as promised by the government. Mokonyane said that, at this point, R1.4 billion has been paid through Operation Bhadala, which was set up to help resolve the problem. The operation has also identified systemic problems, which will be attended to, Mokonyane stated.
Apart from this, no other ICT projects featured in the speech. “There should have been some clarity about the broadband initiative. From being gung-ho about the broadband initiative, it has now been completely de-emphasised [in the premier's speech],” says Hirschel.
Despite spending over R9 million and receiving millions in government grants for the Gauteng Link project, the provincial government is yet to deliver on its long-awaited broadband infrastructure initiative, which has been delayed for almost three years now.
Denis Smit, MD of BMI-TechKnowledge, says not much information should have been expected on this project, because funding challenges will affect its progress.
“The scale of the project is in excess of what they [the Gauteng province] can afford,” notes Smit.
Other problematic initiatives that were expected to have been mentioned in yesterday's address include the health smart card project, the Gauteng Online programme, and e-Cabinet and public liaison initiatives.
Gauteng Online is set to receive R350 million and, according to Hirschel: “It's a huge amount for something that can be done so much cheaper and which still doesn't work properly.”
Following several delays, the Gauteng Online school initiative - to build province-wide 25-seat computer labs with Internet and e-mail capabilities - is scheduled to connect 2 042 schools by May. However, no indication was given by Mokonyane as to whether this deadline is close to being met.
This lack of focus comes despite finance minister Pravin Gordhan highlighting the role of ICT in government's growth strategy during his medium-term budget policy presentation, in October last year. However, this is no surprise to analysts who predicted that ICT will not be the focus of the addresses.
What got in
Mokonyane did make mention of a few smaller ICT-related projects in the province. Reflecting the Gauteng Department of Health's aim to fast-track improvements to its ICT systems in preparation for the upcoming 2010 Soccer World Cup, Mokonyane also emphasised other improvements in the province's health sector. Two of the concrete steps mentioned are ICT-based.
Firstly, there will be an SMS system to remind patients of their appointments and, secondly, automated payment systems will be implemented in hospitals and medical centres.
Mokonyane also announced the rollout of the intelligent number plate project for later this year. According to government, these plates will help reduce car theft and crime due to the plates having unique security features, such as 2D bar code marks and passive electronic radio-frequency identification tags. The full system is expected to be implemented by October.
There will also be an improvement to the driver's licence testing centres, which will supply mobile computerised testing facilities to Gauteng schools. This would allow grade 11 and 12 learners to gauge road usage skills and assist them in applying for learner licences, said Mokonyane.
Lastly, Mokonyane said the Gauteng government would “enrol over 4 000 young people in training in areas such as information technology, electrical work, plumbing and life skills, and expand the learnership and internship programmes”.
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