African Leadership in ICT Needs Analysis South Africa - GeSCI

environment. There seemed not to be enabling structures and programmes for the
implementation of the mandates (see Appendix 3).
With respect to actors, it was clear from the interviews that the key actors in defining and
implementing the different ministerial or departmental or organisational mandates were
government departments (national, provincial and municipal), educational institutions, research
councils, private sector and non‐governmental organisations (NGOs). Although it was affirmed
by all interviewees that organisations with proper collaboration with actors attract enough
drivers for change, not all of them claimed such a position.
On the issue of policy, plans and objectives, the consensus among all interviewed was that
although the government (past and present) have good policies and plans, implementation is
always very poor. All the organisations had common goals of capacity building and expansion,
human capital development and willingness to implement policies. Their major constraint was
lack of provision of enabling structures for policy implementation on the part of government
and minimal funds for execution of projects and plans. Generally, it was also observed that at
policy levels, the existing regulatory frameworks were enabling but there appeared to be
problems at the level of administration and implementation. While some of the organisations
reported the existence of regulatory frameworks that limits their effectiveness, others saw such
frameworks to be enabling, rather than limiting.
In terms of capacity building needs and leadership competencies, the general view was that
there is a lack of skills in the country, thus leading to the problem of limited human resources,
which is a great drawback for the proper functioning of a knowledge society. There is therefore
the need for training programmes that enhance technical skills of people. The type of leaders
that are needed are not just leaders who specialises in drawing up policies or importing ideas
and technologies but those that understand contexts and are able to apply imported ideas to
meet national priorities. In general, there is a need for the development of leaders with vision,
who understand the need of the community and are able to intervene at the right time.
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