The Department of Communications (DoC) would work “faster, harder and smarter” to provide policy leadership, Minister Roy Padayachie said at a meeting with the country’s top information and communication technology (ICT) companies on Friday.

Outlining some his key priorities, Padayachie said that all available DoC vacancies would be filled in the next six months.

Over the short to medium term, the focus would also be on improving the country’s broadband penetration and on digital broadcasting, as well as a greater emphasis on job creation.

Representatives from ICT companies applauded Padayachie after the meeting, where a working group was established to draw up a programme to respond to President Jacob Zuma’s call to create jobs in the sector.

The panel comprised Dimension Data CEO Andile Ngcaba, Altech CEO Craig Venter, Sahara Computers CEO Atul Gupta, Multichoice CEO Nolo Letele, Vodacom CEO Pieter Uys, incoming MTN CEO Sifiso Dabengwa, and J&J Group CEO Jayendra Naidoo.

“We have had a highly productive day. The mandate and objectives have been outlined,” said Venter, who added that it was “enlightening and refreshing” to see the Minister taking a leadership role in dialogue with the industry.

“After a long drought, we see some rain coming from the DoC,” said Uys, but added that it was also important that deliverables be outlined for implementation before 2020.

One of the major challenges would be to build a programme of work that would benefit the whole sector, noted Padayachie.

He said that in the next weeks and months the panel members would outline possible projects and programmes to flesh out the envisaged “Vision 2020”, by which time the telecommunications market in South Africa was expected be worth R250-billion.

The Minister added that growth in the sector would put the country on a robust developmental path.

He said that while companies should get a profitable return, growth in the sector should also equate to accessibility and affordability of ICT for citizens in South Africa.

It should also signal more inclusive growth and connect the unconnected, particularly in the rural areas of South Africa. The growth should also tackle the critical skills deficit in the country, and to this regard, the e-skills initiative would be involved.

Creating jobs was high priority, and Ngcaba noted that the low hanging fruits in manufacturing and innovation in the ICT sector included development of applications and software, as well as the manufacturing of set top boxes, which would be required for migration from the analogue to a digital television signal.

Other challenges for the sector related to dealing with environmental concerns, energy efficiency, and the skills deficit.

Padayachie also highlighted the need to think of investment opportunities beyond the borders of South Africa. “South African companies should take advantage of the immense opportunities across Africa. The political partnerships between South Africa and other developing countries should lead to economic benefits for the private sector and the country as a whole.”