|
|
|
TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE
SA CITIZENS' LIFE
|
GovTech 2009 opens with a focus on improving
government's service delivery by employing smart technology
 Enabling
public sector service delivery through information communication
technology (ICT) is the central theme of the GovTech 2009
conference, which started on a high note at the International
Convention Centre in Durban on Sunday.
Addressing delegates at the gala dinner on Sunday evening, Zodwa
Manase, State Information Technology Agency (SITA) chairperson
in her opening address outlined the successes that GovTech has
had as a thought leadership platform for government since the
first conference in 2006. "Government's Free Open Source
Software, e-government and ICT skills development have all
evolved as a result of the platform GovTech has created for the
exchange of ideas, expertise and case studies. GovTech 2009 will
see the public and private sectors working together to identify
technology strategies to improve service delivery for the
citizens of South Africa," said Manase.
The Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration, Roy
Padayachie, in his welcome address added that GovTech 2009 will
focus on the real needs of the South African citizens and
government’s developmental agenda. "It is an important
conference, as it has citizens at the heart of its agenda. The
landscape has changed dramatically over the past fifteen years,
which attests to the power of ICT," said Padayachie.
GovTech 2009 opened with a demonstration of how far technology
has come with a live holographic video link (via Cisco's
Telepresence Holographic Experience) with David McClure from the
Office of Citizen Services in Virgina, United States of America.
"Technologies such as these illustrate the boundless opportunity
that ICT can deliver to everyday citizens," said Moses Mtimunye,
acting CEO of SITA. "In the near future, similar technologies
will make for commercially available telemedicine projects
providing people in rural areas with world-class healthcare
services," he said.
Added Mtimunye, "In a geographically disperse country like South
Africa we need to look at how technology can improve the
delivery of services on a national, provincial and local level
and we will explore these opportunities during GovTech 2009."
The gala dinner also marked the celebration of many of South
Africa's pioneers in the ICT sector. Known as the ICT Legends,
awards were presented to Zeth Malele, Mthunzi Mdwaba, Andile
Ngcaba, Prof. Judith Bishop, Anthony Fitzhenry, Mark Harris, Ken
Jarvis, Joan Joffe, Alan Knott-Craig, Benjamin Mophatlane,
Jeremy Ord, Mark Shuttleworth, Mardia van der Walt-Korsten, Dr.
Bill Venter and Phuthuma Nhleko.
Deputy Minister Padayachie commended SITA for its consolidation
and coordination of the State's IT resources which have
modernised government processes, increased delivery capabilities
and enhanced interoperability and government service delivery.
|
|
|
|
