Digital media in Development: A focus on South African state-funded institutions

Litha Mpondwana

Outcome

What South African state-funded institutions can focus on to make digital media more accessible and beneficial to the wider SA population.

Themes to coverContributions of state-funded

institutions to digital media development in SA

Short-comings of these institutions in digital media development.

Importance of a rigorous focus on digital media in development.

Institutions involved in South African digital media development

1. South Africa Department of Communications

2. South Africa’s mobile service providers

3. Media and telecommunications companies

Focus

Institutions funded by the South African Department of Communications

Vision: “South Africa as a Global Leader in the development and use of information and communication technologies for Socio-Economic Development”

Mission: “Building a better life for all through an enabling and sustainable world class information and communication technologies environment”

Stalled progress since 2004South African internet penetration rates

stalled from 2004.Highest bandwidth figures in Sub-Saharan

Africa, but not the highest penetration. Instability in DOC leadership.Stalled progress of projects and initiatives Difficult relationship between DOC and SA

media practitioners.

Stalled progress cont.

Lack of sufficient internet penetration beyond the “big three” provinces.

Most of South Africa’s internet penetration limited to Gauteng, Western Cape and Kwazulu Natal.

As of 2011, South Africa had internet user figures of 6.8 million people, yet just under 10% internet penetration rate.

Ranked 111th in the world in internet penetration statistics.

But there are institutions put in place to ensure greater penetration and developing digital media and usage amongst citizens!

State-funded communications institutions

Partly State funded:

Short-comings in digital media development

South Africa largest economy in Africa, but behind in connection and penetration rates.

State-funded communications institutions not effective in carrying out their aims.

Shortage of modernised telecommunications centres.

Minimal consumer interaction possibilities in major SA media sites.

Lack of visibility of state run digital development projects.

Koos Bekker (Naspers CEO)On significant innovation: “Almost

nothing has come out of Africa and Europe” (2011)

The state of South Africa’s digital/telecommunications “a tragedy developing over ten years… a basket case of the continent”

Money a huge obstacle facing innovation

No strategic planning is needed for innovation.

A way forward

SA media companies and mobile service providers may be exploiting loopholes in the industry, but state-funded institutions should be leading initiatives to erase these loopholes.

A rigorous focus in digital media in development in South Africa Need to persist and improve on exciting digital

media projects that have been initiated. e-Skills Institute (2010) National Digital Repository MDDA support and advice services NEMISA professional and basic skills training

Greater collaboration between state bodies and other digital media companies.

Freer platforms for innovation and implementing ideas.