This bridges.org report lists 58 information communication technology and information society technology projects undertaken by the private sector and civil society organisations in South Africa. The inventory provides a sample that adequately reflects the trends, current gaps and overlaps in the field.

Entrepreneurship provides an important avenue for expanding the economies of developing countries. Although capital is needed to kick-start entrepreneurial endeavours, an understanding of the marketplace, application of sound business practices, and effective technology use can help entrepreneurs put investments to good use. The Enterprise Steering Committee of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Digital Divide Initiative (GDDI) set out to foster socio-economic development by exploiting WEF’s global network and the power of information and communications technology (ICT) to help entrepreneurs in developing countries build sustainable businesses. It created the Enterprise Channelling Organisation (ECHO) in 2001 as a vehicle for delivering development aid at ground level that would offer support to entrepreneurs through donations of human and other resources instead of money.

The bridges.org/IICD Case Study Series on ICT-Enabled Development sets out to illustrate how ICT contributes to development in Africa. The aim of this series is to help ground level initiatives imagine the possibilities of what can happen if they use ICT successfully to overcome development obstacles, and to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the digital divide.

The bridges.org/IICD Case Study Series on ICT-Enabled Development sets out to illustrate how ICT contributes to development in Africa. The aim of this series is to help ground level initiatives imagine the possibilities of what can happen if they use ICT successfully to overcome development obstacles, and to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the digital divide.

The bridges.org IICD Case Study Series on ICT-Enabled Development sets out to illustrate how information and communication technology (ICT) contributes to development in Africa. The aim of this series is to help ground level initiatives imagine the possibilities of what can happen if they use ICT successfully to overcome development obstacles, and to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the digital divide.

Ms R. Schaafsma
The Secretary to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications
PO Box 15
Cape Town 8000

Dear Mr. Kekana,

Bridges.org Analysis and Commentary: Telecommunications Amendment Bill number 65 of 2001