Civil Society representatives met in Cape Town on 8 September to discuss their needs and concerns regarding the ICT Empowerment Charter. The importance of the Charter has been recognised by bridges.org, the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA), SANGONeT and many other Civil Society and non-governmental organisations in South Africa that use ICT as part of their efforts for socio-economic development. There has been little opportunity for organizations like these to participate, and many people were simply not aware of the process. The meeting highlighted several areas which it hopes will be addressed at the next meeting of the ICT Charter working group.

ICT Unit, Department Of Education
Attention: Ms. Trudi van Wyk
Room 619, Sol Plaatje House, 123 Schoeman Street
Pretoria, 0001 SOUTH AFRICA

Dear Ms. van Wyk,

Bridges.org would like to take the opportunity afforded by the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Unit of the Department of Education to make written representations on the Draft White Paper on e-education approved by Cabinet on 27 August 2003. The White Paper sets out Government's response to a new ICT environment in education. The overarching goal of the White Paper is to equip every basic and Further Education and Training (FET) learner with the knowledge and skills to use ICT confidently, creatively and responsibly by 2013.

Ms. M. Msimang
Senior Manager: Policy Analysis and Development
ICASA
Private Bag X1
Marlboro 2063 SOUTH AFRICA

Dear Ms. Msimang,

The provision of wireless Internet access using Industrial, Scientific and Medical frequencies

We tend to think about convergence in terms of technology alone, but convergence in information and communications technology (ICT) does not solely involve technological innovation, it also has a real impact on everyday lives that can potentially create further imbalances in terms of the digital divide, especially in the developing world. As an evolving concept, convergence encompasses a combination of opportunities and challenges, not only for the ICT industry, but also for regulators, policy makers and society at large.

Two recent announcements in South Africa raise sharp issues that characterize the raging debate between open source and Microsoft operating systems -- a debate that will ultimately affect developing countries around the world. Last Friday President Thabo Mbeki announced in his state-of-the nation speech to Parliament that Microsoft will provide free software for all of South Africa's 32,000 government schools. Previously, the South African Government's National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) declared its strong support for open source software, saying that it "has the potential to empower people in ways that proprietary software (such as Microsoft's) simply does not allow". For a nation that is counting on information and communications technology (ICT) to help address monumental social and economic problems, Microsoft's generous offer can make a real difference. However, many argue that open source software is more appropriate for the technology realities in developing countries. The Government -- and public -- should be aware of the implications of adopting the proprietary operating system in schools, and plan wisely to gain the benefits without suffering the consequences.

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

14 August 2001

An independent commission that would serve as a watchdog to oversee implementation needs to be established before the proposed Interception and Monitoring Bill becomes law.
This comment was made by bridges.org, a Cape Town based NGO promoting laws and policies fostering technology use in its written comments on the draft Interception and Monitoring Bill submitted to Parliament on Monday, 13 August.

On 13 August 2001, bridges.org submitted the following comments on the proposed South African "Interception and Monitoring" bill:  

13 August 2001

Ms. C. Herzenberg
The Secretary to Parliament
P.O. Box 15
Cape Town
8000