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

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 cover.

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

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

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

  3. Themes to cover • Contributions 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.

  4. Institutions involved in South African digital media development • South Africa Department of Communications • South Africa’s mobile service providers • Media and telecommunications companies

  5. Focus Institutions funded by the South African Department of Communications

  6. Vision: “South Africa as a Global Leader in the developmentand use of information and communication technologies for Socio-Economic Development” Mission: “Building a better life for all through an enablingand sustainable world class information and communication technologies environment”

  7. Stalled progress since 2004 • South 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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!

  10. State-funded communications institutions Partly State funded:

  11. 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.

  12. KoosBekker (Naspers CEO) • On significant innovation: “Almost nothinghascomeout ofAfrica 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

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