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Date : 02/08/2004
Source: Department of Science and Technology
Title: M Mangena: Opening of Fort Hare University's computer lab


ADDRESS BY MR MOSIBUDI MANGENA, MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE OPENING OF COMPUTER LABORATORY, University of Fort Hare, 2 August 2004

The MEC for Education in the Eastern Cape, Mr Mkhangeli Matomela
Vice Chancellor, Professor Derrick Swartz, and the Management
CEO, Mr Fawzy Muhyddin, and Representatives from Engen Petroleum
Representatives from Eskom, Telkom, South African National Defence Force, South African Airways and South African Air Force
Professional and Academic Staff
School Principals, Students
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am honoured to be a part of the official opening of the Computer Laboratory and the beginning of a partnership on education and science related initiatives between Engen Petroleum and the University of Fort Hare.

The current world revolution is forever redefining the way we live by constantly changing the manner in which we work, play and organise our societies. Although the nature of this information revolution is still being determined, its implications, which are global and inescapable, are being felt with increasing force. The worldwide race for competitiveness is characterised by receding goalposts. Hence, the ability to maximise the citizen's access to and use of information has become one of the most important factors deciding the competitiveness of countries.

Our challenge is to develop our people's digital literacy and advanced computer skills by putting in place facilities, such as this computer laboratory that will facilitate successful diffusion of ICT. The ability to utilise ICT by communities will greatly facilitate processes of dealing with issues of social equity, and help in addressing the needs of disadvantaged people and those living in rural areas. There are already a number of success stories that bear testimony to this objective.

The need for increased and ongoing research and evaluation of the programmes to improve the next generation hardware and software technology applications is now considered as a given by government, academic and industrial sectors the world over. South Africa has its own unique role to play in this sphere. The Department of Science and Technology has initiated processes that would lead the way in developing the advanced ICT skills that our country requires. Implementation of such programmes requires sustained, multi-disciplinary and collaborative efforts from all scientists, technologists and information workers.

Apart from producing skills for research and development, computer laboratories like this one, facilitate widespread development of ICT skills for accessing, analysing and evaluating information, which the country is in dire need of. They enable the creation of new knowledge through the design, adaptation and application of information. As a country we require investment from the private sector, through strategic partnerships, to develop basic and advanced ICT skills. The strategic partnership between Engen and the University of Fort Hare we are celebrating today is paving a way for producing the much-needed ICT skills in the Eastern Cape.

The use of ICT usually produces a dramatic impact towards the achievement of specific social and economic development goals, and plays a key role in broader national development strategies. The real benefits lie in its ability to create effective and efficient social and economic networks, which improve communication and exchange of information. ICT also plays a significant role in boosting exports, and enhances domestic capacity to secure competitive advantages in the global economy.

No developing country can afford to ignore the impact of the 'digital divide' as it divides the "haves" from "have-nots". Those that do not have the opportunity to access or develop ICT skills are increasingly excluded from the knowledge economy, jobs and government processes, leaving them disempowered.

Maximising the benefits of ICT implies, on the one hand, building human capacity, and on the other, creating incentives for enterprise and competition, especially among telecommunications and Internet-related businesses. That is why we emphasise the vital role that involved parties should play in investing in, and implementing strategies, which take advantage of the potential of ICT to accelerate social and economic development.

The Engen-Fort Hare partnership specifically fulfils such role in the Eastern Cape, and epitomises the type of research and development partnerships that the Department of Science and Technology is proud to be associated with, which is worth emulating by other role players around the country.

We applaud private sector companies, such as Engen, for taking an active role in promoting technology in areas where we need to bridge the digital divide. Their partnerships with educational institutions have the potential of transforming the "digital divides" into "digital opportunities".

Bridging the digital divide involves more than just placing computers in locations for easy access. It implies the effective utilisation of the available information. Therefore, it is crucial that development efforts go beyond computers and connections to ensure that those who have access to ICT enables people to utilise it to improve their lives.

Dealing with the digital divide is beyond the scope of any single initiative, but each distinctive initiative has its place. While it is important for organisations doing community ICT projects to meet the needs of their constituencies as comprehensively as possible, all should cooperate to tackle problems such as access, affordability, techno phobia and educational exclusion.

South Africa's intention to harness the potential of ICT applications for developmental issues such as health, education, service delivery, job creation and social development should be based on appropriate skills transfer and solid research and development.

For example, in health, ICT has great potential in facilitating remote consultation, diagnosis and treatment, and collaboration among physicians. The principle of ICT-facilitated collaboration extends to medical research. Centralised data repositories connected to ICT networks enable remote healthcare professionals to keep abreast of the rapidly evolving stock of medical knowledge. Mobile technologies are a key domain for ICT innovation in support of the health environment, and together with challenges related to low cost access, present significant ICT innovation opportunities.

In education, ICT can be harnessed to improve the efficiency, accessibility and quality of the learning processes. Connected communities of learners can collaborate better on group assignments, achieve better utilisation of curriculum materials, and produce sustainable learning outcomes. The development of worldwide scientific research networks is helping to empower indigenous research and development programmes in developing countries. ICT-enabled solutions present significant opportunities for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of education administration, curriculum development and the delivery of distance education.

ICT can contribute to income generation and poverty reduction by enabling people and enterprises to capture economic opportunities, thus increasing process efficiency, promoting participation in expanded economic networks, and creating opportunities for employment.

ICT facilitates global connectivity, resulting in new ways of creating and delivering products and services on a global scale. ICT can contribute to better employment opportunities in developing countries both through improved labour market facilitation and direct employment.

The academia, government and industry need to have a realistic appreciation of the possibilities that ICT presents for our country and communities. We must grasp the potential for ICT to link national economies to the new global network in order to accelerate the achievement of broad development goals. Broad partnerships at the global, national and local levels to support bottom-up initiatives must be promoted. Government at national, provincial and local level can play a fundamental role in creating an environment that will foster technology use and encourage investment in ICT infrastructure, development, and a skilled workforce.

In order to reap the benefits of ICT, it is necessary to involve and promote collaboration by the full range of actors in the public and private sector. Strategic partnerships, like the Engen-Fort Hare one, are required to aggregate capabilities and resources and to create win-win situations for the various sectors involved. We applaud collaboration and co-ordinated action between public, private, civil society and international organisations. More partnerships of this type are needed throughout the country.

In endorsing this particular partnership, I wish to congratulate the University of Fort Hare for its focus on ICT and its recognition of the importance of this domain in its programmes and indeed in all its activities. Vice Chancellor, it is my hope that through this centre you will stimulate a rich and diverse community of people who will champion the next generation of development relevant to our people in the field of ICT.

We also congratulate Engen for demonstrating its commitment to this great institution of South African learning and discourse, and indeed we celebrate the partnership and its potential to bring positive change. It is in this spirit that I declare the Centre open and invite you to enjoy, not just this moment, but to share with me a real sense of anticipation of the outcomes it will generate.

Thank You.

Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
2 August 2004

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