Sustainability Plan

Introduction

This document reports on the work undertaken under WBS 2: Sustainable Processes and Structures of the SAITIS Project to develop a sustainability plan for the ICT Sector Development Framework. Sustainability, in this context, focuses on the establishment of the organizational structures, processes and funding mechanisms that will successfully take the ICT Sector Development Framework into implementation and sustain concerted action well after the SAITIS Project has been completed.

The SAITIS Project has progressed much more quickly than previously anticipated and is at the point at which the ICT Sector Development Framework has been completed.  The Framework and, in particular, its four main pillars were publicly announced by the Minister of Trade and Industry on November 1, 2000 and presented to stakeholders on November 9, 2000.  Furthermore, on November 2, 2000 the Project Steering Committee endorsed changes to the Second Annual Work Plan that permit the SAITIS Project to support implementation throughout the remaining life of the project. In this respect, the plan also addresses a transitional role for the Project Office to provide staff support for implementation, assisted by the Project Advisors, until the completion of the project. 

The development of the sustainability plan has been linked to the development processes of the Sector Development Framework, and specifically, the implementation initiatives contained in the Going Forward Plan, to draw from them specific requirements for sustainability, in particular, the financial and other resources required for implementation as well as the lead organizations and partners required.  The related matter of achieving the equity aspects of the goals of the Sector Development Framework is also addressed at the initiatives level. This is an important consideration in developing an ICT Sector that is sustainable with a South African context. Thus, while this document presents an overall plan for sustainability, related aspects of sustainability and equity are also presented for each of the implementation initiatives.

This has been the starting point for discussing with key stakeholder groups the organizational structures and processes for implementation of the ICT Sector Development Framework as well as funding requirements and sources of funds. In addition, an implementation initiative has been developed that will build upon the sustainability plan contained herein, specifically to implement a consultative process to decide on the appropriate governance structure and implementation entity that flows from the transitional process.

It is proposed that the communications plan will support the sustainability plan by creating awareness and understanding of the implementation of the Sector Development Framework and its benefits, and the procedures, processes, and organization structure(s) for sustainability.