Following several weeks of budget presentations to Parliament, ministers revealed their IT plans. While spending on IT projects increased across most departments, budget allocations focused on improving existing systems and processes. In what can be seen as an indication of economic conditions and failures in previous administrations, ministers did not announce any ambitious projects.
Speaking during her budget vote address this week, finance MEC Louisa Mabe said IT played a key role in the province's response to unfavourable economic conditions. She added that the aim is to restore stability in the lives of those who will be affected by the global economic downturn. The answer, she said, would be found through programmes and systems, which increase productivity and protect the most vulnerable in the province.
Despite previous announcements by the department on plans to provide services to citizens via electronic platforms, recent comments indicate progress has been slow.
Deputy minister Roy Padayachie said the department aimed to develop a prototype to e-enable six online services to benefit the poor. These include ID applications, birth registrations, foster care grants, pension applications, maintenance, and notification of death.
Read more: South Africa: Department of Public Service and Administration renews e-govt promises
KwaZulu-Natal acting MEC for economic development and tourism, Ina Cronje, recently delivered an address highlighting the importance of technology in the province. While she said it was becoming increasingly important for politicians and policy-makers to perceive mobile broadband and mobile technologies as important tools to fight poverty and improve service delivery – these sentiments were not echoed in her budget allocations.
Read more: South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal promises broadband boom
Tabling his Budget Vote on Tuesday, Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloy said the department will ensure that all existing Thusong Centres are connected to internet facilities by the end of the financial year
"We took a position to improve governance and service delivery through the use of internet technology, hence the projects e-government and e-cabinet," the minister said.
Read more: South Africa: Thusong centres to get internet connection