Stakeholders within the South African information communication technology and electronics (ICT-E) sector yesterday launched a process that will lead to the adoption and implementation of a black economic empowerment (BEE) charter for the industry, which should be finalised by early next year.

Electronic Industries Federation (EIF) president Dali Mpoufi told a media briefing in Johannesburg that following the adoption of the broad-based socioeconomic empowerment charter for the South African mining industry, other business sectors are drafting similar documents.

However, he said, government has proposed that various sector charters should be industry-driven, while government’s attention would be turned to developing a global charter with a generic effect on all industries.

Mpoufi explained that, due to the variety and complexity of the ICT-E industry, the sector demands that its own charter should be developed.

Those within the industry started discussing a sector charter at the end of last year and it was recognised in the initial stages that input would have to be made by many different stakeholders, all of whom would want the charter to take their respective needs and viewpoints into account. This led to the formation of the ICT Empowerment Charter Working Group.

Organisations that make regular input at the group’s meetings include the Black IT Forum (BITF), the EIF, the Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA), the South African Communications Forum (SACF), Information Industry South Africa (IISA) and the South African Chamber of Business (Sacob). The South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is also involved in the process.

Mpoufi said that information from the working group meetings is regularly forwarded to a large number of corporations, including IT and telecommunication companies, finance houses, and SACOB chambers and input is invited from them.

He added that it was important to gain government’s cooperation and both the Department of Communications and DTI are kept regularly informed of the task group’s progress.

The ICT Empowerment Charter Working Group has drawn up a framework for discussion, and the development of this document is ongoing.

It is anticipated that a final draft will be provided for use at a two-day indaba to be held on September 16 and 17.

Mpoufi said the purpose was to invite as wide an audience as possible to participate in and make input into the charter document, which should be made available in final form by the end of 2003 for submission to government.

Once all stakeholders have reached agreement on these issues, the Minister of Trade and Industry will issue a code of good practice for the sector, which will be gazetted.