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This project aims to integrate emerging ICT with UN's goals to foster sustainable development in South Africa. It focuses on local content creation, engagement, and overcoming socioeconomic challenges.
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Towards a Sustainable Development View of ICT-based Local Content in South Africa Steve Vosloosteve@molotech.org.za
Project brief • Sponsored by IISD and IDRC (Canada) • In 6 developing countries it aims: • To integrate the visions of the emerging IS with the principles and priorities of the UN's MDG and WSSD • To foster interaction between the national SD and ISpolicy communities • Outcome: workshops, research paper (book)
Overview • South Africa • Forthcoming ICT Strategy • Local content • Sustainable development • Engagement
South Africa • Apartheid legacy democracy in 1994 • Population: 44 million • Chronic income/wealth inequality, along spatial and racial biases • 30% households have no electricity • 15% households have no toilet facility • 30% unemployment • Half live below poverty line (US$1.8/day) • Cultural diversity: 11 official languages, many peoples
ICT penetration in SA • Radio: 75% of households • TV: 50% of households • PCs: White households: 46% Black African, Indian, Coloured: 2% (Census 2001) • Internet: (approx.) 10% of population have access • Strong ICT penetration in wealthy groups in cities
National ICT Strategy • Presidential National Commission on Information Society and Development (PNC on ISaD) working on:ISaD Plan and Implementation Strategy • To create a clear national IS vision for SA to which national, provincial and local govt should align their ICT strategies • To maximise the use of ICTs for development in SA
Local content • E-Education • E-Health • SMMEs • E-Govt National ICT Strategy (cont.) ICT Infrastructure Devp Human Resources Devp Applications …
Local content • What is local content? • “The expression of the locally owned and adapted knowledge of a community – where the community is defined by its location, culture, language, or area of interest” (Ballantyne 2002) • SA focus on arts, culture, heritage and IK • Influences: SA history, WSIS
Key message … Local content is a fundamental building block of SD
Cape Gateway www.capegateway.gov.za
OKN Mobile www.oknmobile.com
Mindset www.mindset.co.za
Engagement • 2 half-day workshops: CT and Jhb • Academia, Government, CSOs Impact: • Point was acknowledged • “Development” in Country Report is economics focused • Continue to advise PNC on LC issues
Thank You Steve Vosloo steve@molotech.org.za www.molotech.org.za