The city is seen by some as the technology hub of South Africa but ICT infrastructure challenges and the cost of broadband have been said to stifle the growth of the technology industry.
In her state the province address earlier this year, Western Cape Premier and Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille announced aggressive plans to harness broadband as an economic growth enabler. Ms Zille said the province aimed to create the largest mesh network in the world within the next two years. Political analysts argue that the focus on growing the ICT sector in the Western Cape is a clear strategy by the DA-led administration to set the province apart from the rest of the country.
Chris Whelan, newly appointed Accelerate Cape Town CEO, said at the weekend that addressing infrastructure challenges, especially in the ICT sector, was crucial. He said that a partnership between government and the private sector was of paramount importance in addressing these issues.
"Doing so holds enormous potential to tip the scales in making the Cape Town area Africa’s Silicon Valley, especially as we head to 2014 and Cape Town being voted the World Design Capital," Mr Whelan said.
"People’s capacity for ingenuity cannot be overstated and as a city which has a strong entrepreneurial sector we need to enable the unlocking of value-creating opportunities. Our broadband infrastructure needs to support our competitive strengths in the creative economy, in potentially business process outsourcing and call-centre attraction and in the financial services arena," Mr Whelan said.
Independent political analyst Daniel Silke said that increasingly ICT infrastructure was becoming a key driver not only as a catalyst for foreign direct investment but also as an incentive for small businesses to develop.
"The Western Cape can distinguish itself and take a lead nationally on this issue which will give it global credibility and will encourage young entrepreneurs, often frustrated with existing shortcomings in ICT infrastructure in other parts of South Africa, to relocate or set up base in the Western Cape," Mr Silke said.
"ICT efficiency is clearly a key component to make regions or cities more competitive and Cape Town’s initiative (to create the largest mesh network in the world, within the next two years) is well placed to do this. It will also encourage increased competition with other South African cities to up their game, which will be beneficial all round".
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Bekezela Phakathi
Quelle/Source: Business Day LIVE, 09.09.2012
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