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Master of Ceremonies
Distinguished Guests
Representations from Industry and Communities
Government Representatives
Parliamentary Committee Chairperson and MPs
Ladies and Gentlemen

Allow me to welcome you all to the second national telecommunications colloquium since the independence of the Republic of South Africa in 1994. The work of the National Telecommunications Forum (NTF) led to the review of telecommunications policies that had entrenched the apartheid regime and the development of a new telecommunication act in line with the new dispensation as been mentioned by the Director-General. The Act of 1996 focused mainly on Telkom and the need for universal service.

We are about five years down the road. The approach of our government then, was based on the need for access, participation of and ownership by the previously disadvantaged majority of our people in the infrastructure and services in this sector.

Today we meet again to review the policy we developed a few years ago. The objective of this meeting is to:
* Facilitate debate among stakeholders, thus creating an opportunity for inputs from the stakeholders, in the design of the policy landscape.
* Provide a democratic and transparent process of policy making - thus levelling the playing field in policy formulation
* Solicit the views of stakeholders, especially around areas where there had not been consensus in perspectives contained in the documents were sent to the department.

The transformation of South African society is one of the single most important projects of the new democratic government because it is a constitutional imperative. A basic assumption we therefore make as South Africa in general and the government in particular, is that we all jealously guard the process of transition to a non- racist and non-sexist society. This sector of ours must therefore decide how it contributes to the achievement of the constitutional imperatives, whether we are government, regulators, parastatals, business, labour or any other group.

Commitment to transformation demands that we also pay serious attention to the creation of a prosperous society. Therefore, how can we, in this sector contribute to the creation of such prosperity? How can this be achieved unless we pay attention to the creation of jobs and reduction of unemployment, both of which are critical challenges facing our sector, especially because it is often perceived as rather a job destroyer?

Very importantly, we meet at an historical conjuncture when at the World Economic Forum voice of African leaders have for the first time the been listened to; and we sincerely hope that, that African voice was heard.

The MAP programme declared that the Continental leaders are ready and willing to take over ownership and responsibility for sustainable socio-economic development. In the multi-faceted programme and priority areas identified are:
* the increasing investment in the information and communication technologies without which we (in Africa) would not be able to bridge the digital divide
* the acceleration of efforts to eradicate poverty and to significantly mobilise and increase both domestic and foreign savings and investment
* the development of regulatory frameworks for key sectors like telecommunications and energy.
* countering the erroneous legacy of Afro-pessimism

We are making policy in context of a world that impact on the policy choices that we make.

Lessons learned from the world are important for us. Landmark reforms were introduced in the U.S. in 1996 but were tied in the courts for a long time. The process was slow in the beginning. Argument is made that " fundamentals are now in place". Last year we saw a quick response to the attempt by Deutsche Telecom to acquire Voicestream when the American Congress moved to introduce legislation that would prohibit such acquisition. There is still continuing debate there about the roles of the communication act and the anti-trust laws in the creation of an environment to encourage competition. The competitions for mobile licences in Europe are also instructive for us in deciding what options are available and suitable for South Africa. We hope the policy recommendations you will make, will take all these into consideration.

The government, by the mandate given at our elections, has set specific national objectives. This is a five-year mandate received at our last elections in 1999. These objectives form the basis upon which policy recommendations made will be judged. The national priorities demand that we contextualise South Africa - it is a country where the economic and digital divide are a reality and not a dream. It is country located in an under - developed region of an under-developed continent. Policy cannot ignore this painful reality. Policy must instead assist in unlocking that potential of ICTs, which in turn unlocks the economic potential of the country and the region. Policy must address the redistribution of wealth and access to those who had been marginalised or excluded.

We must bridge the gap between urban and rural communities, between blacks and whites and the digital literacy gap. We cannot ignore the role of women, youth and differently able people. The colloquium must address this in considering the recommendations. What policy would best facilitate access to the Internet for all schools and communicates irrespective of where they are while paying specific attention the rapid technological changes that must make South African business competitive. Our efforts to bridge the divide is primarily about people and not primarily technology. Many recognise the need to address the issues in a different way. As illustrated by Hewlett Packard who launched their e-Inclusion by saying:

" It's about delivering economically self sustaining solutions that offer fair value to all participants, respect culture, and preserve and enhance environment needing extensive partnership and not just unilateral action"

The growth of the sector depends on how successful we are at achieving this. I believe, like young Mark Shuttleworth, " Africa will be the exciting growth economy of the 21st Century. What we're watching right now is a continent learning to govern itself. The learning curve is going to take years but, its not going to take forever" We must take responsibility for our own development and do so now.

The policy is another step in the building blocks. We spent the last year intensely engaged with Ministers in charge of telecommunications, broadcasting and information to build consensus on declaring ICTs a national priority and harmonizing legislation and regulation in our respective regions. Our e-commerce green paper has been shared with ministers on the continent.

Government has recognised for sometime that the ICT Sector is at the epicentre of growth and development of the country and new economy and that this will be achieved through lowering input costs, efficiency and availability of skills. But government also recognises the need, to understand globalisation and its impact. At the Cabinet Lekgotla, it was decided on a path of Managed Liberalisation; Encouragement of domestic and foreign direct investment; priority of Human Resource Development; Encouragement of formation of Public Private Partnerships; Policy and Regulatory certainty; Establishment of a solid ICT industry; Promotion of the African Renaissance.

With regard to the latter South Africa must fulfil its role in Africa. The African Connection Projects must be implemented speedily. I am glad to welcome two people responsible for the project, located at the DBSA, Mavis Sintim Misa-Ampah and Ole. Our participation in the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and on the Ministerial Oversight Committee over which South Africa hold chairmanship, must ensure policy and regulatory environs cognisant of convergence of technologies and services.

This dialogue today must help us deal with these matters. The Telecommunication policy colloquium is government's way of showing democracy at work, illustrating that policy formulation is not only for those with money but for ordinary South African as well.

I wish all participants well in the deliberations. I look forward to receiving your recommendations that I hope will help us and this continent to take responsibility for our country and the continents development. Lastly I wish to invite you to the ITU African Telecoms 2001 event which will be hosted in our in our country in November at Gallagher Estate.

Issued by Ministry of Communications

2 February 2001