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28 November 2008

Former President Mr Thabo Mbeki
Mrs Zanele Mbeki
Representatives from government
Parastatals and industry
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

I am pleased to be here tonight to mark this special occasion on the information and communication technology (ICT) calendar in Africa, the 10th annual African ICT Achievers Awards.

As we look back 10 years, back to when the programme was conceptualised to make the ICT industry representative of the South African population, who would have thought that we would gather here in Johannesburg and realise on how the African ICT Achievers programme has grown and developed.

It has achieved the various milestones set, to be truly representative of the African continent. Gathered here this evening we welcome governments and private
sector companies from Egypt, Mali, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, Congo, Malawi, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Ethiopia, Swaziland and South Africa who have contributed much in building the African information and communication technology (ICT) for and in campaigning for the development of ICT in Africa.

Today, we celebrate the 10th birthday of the Achievers Award. Programme and salute the past finalists, winners, judges and industry stakeholder organisations. Certainly these awards have grown from strength to strength, building on the successes of the early years to what we have today. You have all contributed to making the tenth year of the African ICT Achievers Awards a reality.

The present successes are because of the creativity and hard work of those who began their journeys in the ICT arena many years ago showing the way for others to follow. The road we have travelled together in the ICT sector is what has made it possible for us to celebrate excellence in this sector today. The collective efforts of those who have built this road and smoothed its rough edges to ensure that we keep moving forward for the sake of all Africans must be recognised.

And today is the day when we can take a moment to reflect on our efforts and the impact they have made, those milestones in ICT achievement, claiming with humility our victories for sorting out our many problems as a continent.

We believe that Africa is well on its way to take ownership of the challenge of digital inclusion which will contribute to making this the African century. We however cannot become complacent as we all need to work together to continually elevate the profile of the ICT industry and give impetus to the growing realisation that innovation supported by ICTs can in fact be a catalyst for sustainable social and economic growth across the developing world.

The African ICT Achievers Programme has over the past 10 years shown many home grown successes. Winners who come to mind include Afro Lingo who developed a language translation tool which, when loaded onto your computers allows you to view information in the language you prefer. Another innovation example is Expertron who was recognised for having developed a cell phone pre-paid electricity programme assisting people in rural environments to buy electricity via their cell phones similar to buying airtime for your phone.

There are many more of these innovations which have come to light through the Achievers Programme but plenty more that have not seen the light of day, remaining secret to potential users in Africa and abroad. Let's uncover these and bring them to the fore through the Achievers Programme and allow the African ICT industry to swell with pride.

Expanding the categories of awards allowed for greater inclusivity. The top businessman, businesswoman, top company and Small Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) categories year on year, finalists and winners have shared the spotlight for their business acumen demonstrating to the world that we have best in class skills in Africa, and the potential to grow and develop. The further inclusion of youth and government categories expanded this inclusivity.

It has allowed us to cultivate long-term relationships in which knowledge and experiences are shared and exchanged, and built the kinds of partnerships that will continue to produce and grow sustainable businesses and sound, enduring business practices and service delivery models.

Tonight we also recognise the innovation of our youth in the ICT sector. To these young men and women, the techno boys and girls, we say that the reality of making this the African Century also lies with you. The new generations in the decades to come, will have to strengthen the foundation that is being laid right now. With them and through them, let us define, design, build and refine our own solutions to our challenges.

As we celebrate the success of 10th African ICT Achievers in 2008, we congratulate this year's finalists and winners for their achievements in the past year. At the same time, we also wish to encourage them to perform even greater deeds in the future, over the next decade and share these successes as possible for others to learn and grow. In this way we will all contribute towards a vibrant productive and innovative ICT industry in Africa.

I would like to thank Forge-Ahead and all the past and present partners to the African ICT Achievers Awards for believing in this programme and for understanding the importance of sustaining initiatives such as this one. I am sure that tonight you can see the benefits of your contribution to a digital world for all. I would also like to thank the staff of the Department of Communications for their contribution in the organising of this event. May the ICT African Achiever Awards be taken to even greater heights in the next decade and assist Africa in meeting its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Thank you.

Issued by: Department of Communications
28 November 2008
Source: Department of Communications (http://www.doc.gov.za)