Marius Redelinghuys, director of communications and research for the DA’s Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
South African opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA) has spoken out on the need for ICT improvements for economic progress in South Africa, with the removal of barriers crucial.
Marius Redelinghuys, director of communications and research for the DA’s Gauteng Provincial Legislature, told the Internet Service Providers’ Association (ISPA) iWeek conference in Johannesburg developing ICT was “crucial in addressing societal development challenges”.
The potential of ICT to connect people with jobs and the government’s role are crucial points of development in reaching potential, with barriers such as infrastructure, quality and speed of ICT needing to be addressed.
Acknowledging the noticeable impact of the rapidly changing technological landscape, Redelinghuys said the industry changes, adapts and transforms itself.
Reliable and transparent regulatory action backed by the government is also required, according to Redelinghuys.
“We also need to ease the suffocating grip of regulators in the industry… enforcing where violated without suffocating life out of small businesses,” Redelinghuys said.
The creation of neutral platforms, distribution, spectrum management and the involvement of businesses are necessary to become competent at international level, he said.
“Internet access is a basic human right. Where is the universal access?”
The DA is in the process of developing an outsourcing model in order to address the “constrained resources” in the country.
Taking a more industry-centric approach, the relationship establishment between private and public stakeholders can service different markets effectively, Redelinghuys concluded.
