ISSUE 4

Dr. Ben Ngubane, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Government of South Africa

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) present society with unprecedented opportunities for development and integration. They may also emphasise the contrast between rich and poor. As with all advances, these technologies are only as beneficial as their effective application allows. Policymakers have a role to seize the advantages of ICT, forming part of this global infrastructure for the benefit of all. Governments also have the role to facilitate and regulate new information-based industries.

As globalisation moves from being a concept to an everyday reality, we are entering a period of rapid transition as well as a new millennium. International public awareness of the ubiquitous nature of computers, and also of the needs of developing nations, is currently very high. Let us harness this interest and energy now to overcome distance, distrust and distortion. Aid, as well as trade, can be exchanged online. Culture, knowledge and education may be exported via ICT.

South Africa continues to play a pivotal role in the region through infrastructure investment, the support of democracy in a market economy and by participation in Information Society Initiatives. As Minister for Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, I welcome the efforts of the Commonwealth Network of Information Technology for Development (COMNET-IT) to promote good policy and practice in the deployment of Commonwealth information Infrastructures.

I am also very happy to note the dynamic partnership between COMNET-IT and the Commonwealth Science Council (CSC), Commonwealth Secretariat in delivering benefits from the newly established Commonwealth Knowledge Network (CKN). As an active member of the CSC, South Africa is keen to promote knowledge networking for solutions through the CKN and modern ICT and through the initiative increased co-operation between countries in Africa and throughout the Commonwealth.