Limpopo Business 2016-17 edition

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