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2.3.2 National Information Policy
The Government of South Africa (GSA) has placed a strong emphasis on ICT
sector development through the implementation of a National ICT strategy,
particularly for disadvantaged segments of the society. An undated report by
The Academy for Educational Development [AED] (n.d.) reasserts the
Government of South Africa's (GSA) commitment to increase IT access and
skills amongst the disadvantaged groups of South Africa (including girls and
women). The report adds that the GSA's Department of Communications
began the process of developing legislation in the telecommunications
human resource base in 1995 and 1996. The 1995 Green Paper on
Telecommunications Policy and the 1996 white Paper on
Telecommunications Policy formed the basis of the 1996
Telecommunications Act. Specific initiatives include the lnfo.com 2025,
which addresses issues of policy, infrastructure, human capacity and local
content within ICT industries. lnfo.com 2025 supports IT related projects,
and also seeks to "empower people in the way they work, live and play, and
make South Africa globally competitive". A major objective is one that seeks
"to facilitate and promote education and training through the use of
telecommunications technologies." Other programs include the
establishment of community information centers, public information
terminals, Internet connectivity in schools, and training for teachers.
The South African Information Technology Industry Strategy's (SAmS)
focus is on building infrastructure, especially within secondary towns
designated as export zones, for both ICT and non-ICT products and services.
Through the establishment of the Universal Service Fund, both wire line and
wireless service prOViders have extensive obligations to prOVide access to
previously disadvantaged regions with low income and geographic
complexity (SAITIS: 2000). South Africa has also been involved in the
Southern African and Far East (SAFE) initiative to promote the connectivity
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