Background

The role of information society development is critical to both economic and social development in both South Africa as well as globally. The ability of a country to effectively integrate itself into the global economy depends on how well it develops its capacity to handle, absorb and utilise information technology. Improved access to information also has an impact on the awareness, education, and social and cultural development of the public. In South Africa there is a need for technology development and also for well defined regional information society development strategies, capacity building and human resource development

In 2001 a cooperation agreement between South Africa and Finland was established. Emanating from the President's State of the Nation Address, the PNC on ISAD was formed. The PNC on ISAD has developed a National Information Society and Development (ISAD) Framework which has been approved by National Cabinet. This framework will guide the provinces in developing their provincial information society strategies and development models. The PNC on ISAD selected Limpopo and Northern-Cape provinces as early adopters for Information Society Development. The Finnish government committed itself to assist Limpopo and Northern-Cape provinces with the development and implementation of the provincial information society strategies and development models. The INSPIRE programme will contribute to the attainment of the objectives of the PGDS in both provinces.

The information society in the provinces of Limpopo and Northern-Cape will be implemented through a pilot project approach focusing on the adopted priority development areas for ICT applications, as indicated in the National ISAD Framework, provincial legislative mandates and provincial dynamics and challenges. These priority development areas are as follows:

    e-Government

    e-Health

    e-Education

    e-SMMEs

    Local Housing Development

    e-Agriculture

    e-Infrastrure

    e-Tourism

It is important to note that all other sectors, as defined in the PGDS of the provinces, would cut across the above mentioned priority development areas.

Concept documents will be developed for each of the priority development areas in cooperation with the Inspire programme.

Baseline studies and monitoring and evaluation system will be developed to assist in identification of information access gaps, readiness and preparedness of both provinces with regard to information society development and the programme impact on the society at large.