Date: 30/06/2004
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: M Mangena: Launch of Digital Doorway
ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE DIGITAL DOORWAY, Mamelodi, 30 June 2004
Programme Director
Representatives from the NRF,
Members of the Mamelodi Town Council,
Representatives from the Private Sector,
Community Members of Mamelodi present,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
For our country to maintain continued growth in the next decade, we need higher levels of innovation and creativity. Hence, our success as a nation is dependent on our ability to produce well-trained, effective scientists, engineers and technologists. To do this effectively, we need to increase the impact of science and technology by making it accessible to all the people of this country.
Today's launch of the Digital Doorway centre in Mamelodi, is a great opportunity to celebrate an important partnership of the Department of Science and Technology, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Eskom and the Mamelodi Town Council. Such partnerships are important not only for ensuring the success of this Digital Doorway project, but also for creating a multi-sectoral platform that has the capacity to highlight the significance and value of science and technology in our communities.
President Thabo Mbeki, mentioned in his introduction to South Africa's National R&D Strategy, that it is important to ensure that as many South Africans as possible master modern technologies and integrate them in their social activities, including education, delivery of services and economic activity.
Information and Communication Technology is widely recognised as an enabler towards achieving this objective. Within government there is also a deep appreciation of the contribution that ICT can make towards the development of particularly underdeveloped areas. That is why the Department of Science and Technology is putting a concerted effort to promote the development of a strong South African information society. The technological gains and applications of ICT have become tremendous engines for economic growth and productivity. The reality however, is that it is the developed world that is reaping the vast majority of these gains.
There have been a number of initiatives aimed at harnessing ICT for development with the implementation of telemedicine programmes, distance education programmes, initiatives to increase access to basic telecommunications services and e-government. These initiatives however, are hampered by the lack of end-user capacity and technology literacy, and an intimidation by or lack of confidence to use technology.
There is therefore a need for more to be done in educating people about ICT, and for building user-confidence for technology. The Digital Doorway project is a unique approach to promoting public functional computer literacy and learning through the use of Minimally Invasive Education, which was informed by the 'Hole in the Wall' project in India.
The Digital Doorway is a South African version of this concept, and it has the potential to educate ordinary people from disadvantaged communities in the use and value of ICT as it is multilingual, and is accessible to adults and children. I understand that the aim is to expand it to accommodate all our official languages. The software applications installed were adapted to suit local context, with content that features local issues and people.
The financial support of the private sector has been invaluable in assisting us to implement this project throughout the country. Eskom has proven its commitment to investing in sustainable projects that add value to the lives of our citizens by sponsoring this Digital Doorway site in Mamelodi. We place tremendous value on Eskom's belief in our work, and we thank the company for being a great example to others in this sector. We want to challenge other private sector companies to become involved, by sponsoring Digital Doorways, in other disadvantaged areas.
The success of the Digital Doorway project will present many opportunities for public-private partnerships for supporting sustainable development, and provide a concrete mechanism for closing the gaps between the research community, the public sector and the private sector.
Another important role player in this equation is the community. In order to make a positive impact on the community's socio-economic lives, the success of this Digital Doorway depends on its active participation and buy-in. We call upon the community of Mamelodi to utilise this facility, and to take advantage of the benefits that can be derived from the use of IT. We understand that Ms Gwangwa has volunteered to clean this facility and we would like to commend her for her selfless commitment to the success of this project. However, we hope that she is also taking the time to use the computers in order to improve her knowledge and skills.
We also want to invite the participation of the media in popularising this project within the community of Mamelodi and beyond. We need our media to give a voice to developmental issues in our country, to showcase and celebrate the talent and ingenuity of our citizens.
I thank you
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
30 June 2004
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za)
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: M Mangena: Launch of Digital Doorway
ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE DIGITAL DOORWAY, Mamelodi, 30 June 2004
Programme Director
Representatives from the NRF,
Members of the Mamelodi Town Council,
Representatives from the Private Sector,
Community Members of Mamelodi present,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
For our country to maintain continued growth in the next decade, we need higher levels of innovation and creativity. Hence, our success as a nation is dependent on our ability to produce well-trained, effective scientists, engineers and technologists. To do this effectively, we need to increase the impact of science and technology by making it accessible to all the people of this country.
Today's launch of the Digital Doorway centre in Mamelodi, is a great opportunity to celebrate an important partnership of the Department of Science and Technology, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Eskom and the Mamelodi Town Council. Such partnerships are important not only for ensuring the success of this Digital Doorway project, but also for creating a multi-sectoral platform that has the capacity to highlight the significance and value of science and technology in our communities.
President Thabo Mbeki, mentioned in his introduction to South Africa's National R&D Strategy, that it is important to ensure that as many South Africans as possible master modern technologies and integrate them in their social activities, including education, delivery of services and economic activity.
Information and Communication Technology is widely recognised as an enabler towards achieving this objective. Within government there is also a deep appreciation of the contribution that ICT can make towards the development of particularly underdeveloped areas. That is why the Department of Science and Technology is putting a concerted effort to promote the development of a strong South African information society. The technological gains and applications of ICT have become tremendous engines for economic growth and productivity. The reality however, is that it is the developed world that is reaping the vast majority of these gains.
There have been a number of initiatives aimed at harnessing ICT for development with the implementation of telemedicine programmes, distance education programmes, initiatives to increase access to basic telecommunications services and e-government. These initiatives however, are hampered by the lack of end-user capacity and technology literacy, and an intimidation by or lack of confidence to use technology.
There is therefore a need for more to be done in educating people about ICT, and for building user-confidence for technology. The Digital Doorway project is a unique approach to promoting public functional computer literacy and learning through the use of Minimally Invasive Education, which was informed by the 'Hole in the Wall' project in India.
The Digital Doorway is a South African version of this concept, and it has the potential to educate ordinary people from disadvantaged communities in the use and value of ICT as it is multilingual, and is accessible to adults and children. I understand that the aim is to expand it to accommodate all our official languages. The software applications installed were adapted to suit local context, with content that features local issues and people.
The financial support of the private sector has been invaluable in assisting us to implement this project throughout the country. Eskom has proven its commitment to investing in sustainable projects that add value to the lives of our citizens by sponsoring this Digital Doorway site in Mamelodi. We place tremendous value on Eskom's belief in our work, and we thank the company for being a great example to others in this sector. We want to challenge other private sector companies to become involved, by sponsoring Digital Doorways, in other disadvantaged areas.
The success of the Digital Doorway project will present many opportunities for public-private partnerships for supporting sustainable development, and provide a concrete mechanism for closing the gaps between the research community, the public sector and the private sector.
Another important role player in this equation is the community. In order to make a positive impact on the community's socio-economic lives, the success of this Digital Doorway depends on its active participation and buy-in. We call upon the community of Mamelodi to utilise this facility, and to take advantage of the benefits that can be derived from the use of IT. We understand that Ms Gwangwa has volunteered to clean this facility and we would like to commend her for her selfless commitment to the success of this project. However, we hope that she is also taking the time to use the computers in order to improve her knowledge and skills.
We also want to invite the participation of the media in popularising this project within the community of Mamelodi and beyond. We need our media to give a voice to developmental issues in our country, to showcase and celebrate the talent and ingenuity of our citizens.
I thank you
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
30 June 2004
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za)
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