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Saturday, 10.01.2026
Transforming Government since 2001
The demographic transformation and resulting shortage of qualified workers has reached the information technology (IT) sector, where it is well on the way to becoming a serious issue.

CeBIT 2013 shone the spotlight on the key trends and innovations in the digital economy and there were also exciting contacts to be made. This event has also long been the largest career market in the high-tech sector.

According to a study by the German Federal Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media (Bitkom) and applied research and development organisation Fraunhofer, 45% of companies are already reporting that their current staff are overextended owing to a lack of human research resources. Twenty-six per cent had to turn down contracts as a result, 9% were unable to complete certain projects and 8% report losing customers as a result of this situation.

Read more: ZA: Skills shortage becoming a serious problem in ICT sector

The slow rollout of broadband internet is at the centre of a broadside fired by the Cape Chamber of Commerce at the Department of Communications this week.

In a strongly worded statement referring to “recent events surrounding allegations of misconduct within the Department of Communications” and increasing frustration felt by business, the chamber accused the department of failing to meet targets and properly govern information and communication technology (ICT).

Read more: ZA: Chamber slams slow broadband delivery

The business world is frustrated with the Communication Department's lack of governance, the Cape Chamber of Commerce said on Tuesday.

"It is creating a level of uncertainty," said Roderick Lim Banda, chairman of the chamber's information and communications technology (ICT) committee.

This also affected the confidence of business in the local ICT sector.

Read more: ZA: Minister 'bad for business'

The communication department has denied being bad for business.

"No business people have ever raised concerns about uncertainty and business confidence," spokesman Siyabulela Qoza said on Wednesday.

The Cape Chamber of Commerce's information and communication technology (ICT) committee chairman, Roderick Lim Banda, said on Tuesday that business was becoming increasingly frustrated by a lack of governance and delivery in the department.

Read more: ZA: We're NOT bad for business!'

By 2014, some South Africans will be using new smart ID cards in place of the existing green identity books and it’s possible the ID cards could be in use by the next general election, according to the country’s Home Affairs Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Suma.

Reported in news24.com, Dlamini-Zuma said a pilot project is current underway, which aims to test the accuracy of the system, and eventually introduce it in phases.

“The IEC is aware of the process and they are making sure they are ready,” the minister said.

Read more: Smart ID cards could be used in next South African general election: Minister

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