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| Minister says no to apathy |
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| BY ITUMELENG MOGAKI, ITWEB TRAINEE JOURNALIST |
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[Johannesburg, 27 January 2005] -
The minister of communications has warned there is no room for apathy on ICT development in the region, and called on players to “rededicate” themselves to the task at hand.Speaking at the National Economic Development and Labour Committee (Nedlac) ICT annual meeting in Olifantsfontein this week, communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri said she had “no room for lack of contribution to the ICT sector profile”.The minister was reviewing the progress made in initiatives to boost the region's IT competitiveness in a global market and take ICT to those who have been excluded.The minister warned: “Factors such as non co-operation, inconsistent participation and lack of clear vision should definitely not form part of the ICT sector profile. We should rather develop a consensus of interest for national development vision.”She also criticised local government for being “the weakest link” in linking ICT programmes and projects across all three spheres of government. She highlighted Cape Town's smart city project as an example of what could be achieved through successful IT sector intervention.Matsepe-Casaburri said as the information society implementation proceeded, the industry was obliged to do all it could to bridge the digital divide.“The ICT sector is recognised as one that has profound opportunities for job creation, economic growth and economic development,” she said.“Technologies, in particular ICT, have become an essential tool that must be accessible to all, for the enhancement of service delivery by governments, enterprises and organisations of civil society.”Related stories:
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