Limpopo Business 2016-17 edition
The 2016/17 edition of Limpopo Business is the eighth issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2007, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to the Limpopo province. Limpopo is unique in terms of its abundant natural and human resources, and is also one of the key drivers behind the South African economy. This edition of Limpopo Business is officially endorsed by the Office of the Premier of Limpopo.
The 2016/17 edition of Limpopo Business is the eighth issue of this highly successful publication that, since its launch in 2007, has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to the Limpopo province.
Limpopo is unique in terms of its abundant natural and human resources, and is also one of the key drivers behind the South African economy.
This edition of Limpopo Business is officially endorsed by the Office of the Premier of Limpopo.
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OVERVIEW<br />
teachers obtain laptops will have<br />
an impact on the sector.<br />
South African Vanguard<br />
of Technology (Savant) is a<br />
Department of Trade and Industry<br />
(dti) programme. It is the marketing<br />
and awareness programme<br />
for the South African ICT and<br />
electronics sector. The aim is to<br />
develop South African exports<br />
and to attract foreign investment.<br />
The National Department<br />
of Communications is responsible<br />
for the Independent<br />
Communications Authority of<br />
South Africa (ICASA, the regulator<br />
of communications, broadcasting<br />
and postal services), the SA<br />
Broadcasting Corporation (SABC),<br />
and three other agencies.<br />
The Telkom Foundation began<br />
supporting ICT at Manyangan<br />
High School and several others<br />
like it a decade ago. Schools in<br />
rural areas were given a wireless<br />
networked e-Learning<br />
Resource Centre consisting of<br />
20 computers, a server, a printer,<br />
all Microsoft-supplied software,<br />
insurance and a three-year maintenance<br />
plan. Internet access<br />
was included, powered by Vsat<br />
satellite technology.<br />
More than 800 young people<br />
attended the <strong>Limpopo</strong> ICT Youth<br />
Conference in 2015 where they<br />
and the owners and small and<br />
medium-sized ICT businesses<br />
shared ideas about the pitfalls<br />
and opportunities in the sector.<br />
An ICT Centre of Excellence will be<br />
established in <strong>2016</strong>, taking into account<br />
the input of the delegates.<br />
Alternative and innovative solutions<br />
are also being followed.<br />
Ten schools have been identified<br />
by the ICT Internet Connectivity<br />
Project and the national Department of Education to pilot the Offline<br />
Content Solution. Tirelo Bosha will pay R1.4-million towards this project.<br />
Tirelo Bosha is a public service improvement grant administered by the<br />
national Department of Public Service and Administration.<br />
The Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme<br />
(THRIP) is a programme of the National Research Foundation and supports<br />
an average of 235 projects per year. THRIP funding totals around<br />
R150-million (with approximately R240-million from industry per year)<br />
and supports initiatives that use science to bring benefits to wider<br />
society. This can relate to boosting distant rural computer literacy (as<br />
in a project in the Eastern Cape which will have relevance to <strong>Limpopo</strong>)<br />
or, for example, to scientists working at the University of Venda who<br />
have received THRIP funding relating to soil research.<br />
Intermediate computer-literacy classes are being provided at some<br />
<strong>Limpopo</strong> schools by the Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA),<br />
and the CoZa Cares project of Uniforum SA. Maths Centre has received<br />
funding from the Citigroup Foundation to help it expand the Anglo<br />
American project for maths and science using specially developed<br />
software. ICT company Edukite Learning Services is the developer.<br />
The sponsorship includes digital tablets and projectors to be used in<br />
the training of teachers.<br />
ISPA runs courses for teachers in all parts of South Africa. Since<br />
2004, ISPA and Uniforum SA awarded a Super Teacher of the Year award<br />
to the educator who has best imparted their newly acquired IT knowledge<br />
to pupils and members of their community when they return<br />
from these courses. These <strong>Limpopo</strong> teachers and schools were winners<br />
in 2009 (Lesibe Jimmy Rawane, Thomo Primary School), 2010 (Melia<br />
Moeketsi, Maribe Primary), 2011 (Phuthi Ragophala, Pulamadibogo<br />
Primary), 2012 (Sadike Welheminah Kekana, Toronto Secondary) and<br />
2013 (Mokhudu Cynthia Machaba, Ngwanamago Primary School).<br />
ONLINE RESOURCES<br />
National Department of Communications: www.doc.gov.za<br />
National Department of Trade and Industry:<br />
www.thedti.gov.za<br />
National Research Foundation: www.nrf.ac.za<br />
Seda Technology Programme: www.seda.org.za<br />
South African Vanguard of Technology: www.savant.co.za<br />
Support Programme for Industrial Innovation: www.spii.co.za<br />
State Information Technology Agency: www.sita.co.za<br />
Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme:<br />
htttp://thrip.nrf.ac.za<br />
Technology Innovation Agency: www.tia.org.za<br />
65 LIMPOPO BUSINESS <strong>2016</strong>/<strong>17</strong>