Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams says her department has commenced some of the groundwork towards preparing South Africa for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
“We began engagements with stakeholders to identify various enablers that could help us derive the benefits that come with technological innovations and developments relating to 4IR,” Ndabeni-Abrahams said.
Addressing the Presidential Commissioners on 4IR in Tshwane on Tuesday, Ndabeni-Abrahams said digital technologies can generate more than R5 trillion in value for industry, consumers and society in South Africa.
She said one of the most important priorities for government is to grow the economy and in the process of doing so, ensure that there is inclusive growth.
“We are making concerted efforts to assist government to gravitate towards certain obligatory steps, standards and principles that should provide guidelines for every government department to function within the realm of the 4IR.
“The department, with the advice of the [4IR] Commission, will develop a strategy and framework for government, which will enable every government department and organ of state, to develop their own plans to integrate 4IR in everything they do, and ensure that the sectors in which they function align accordingly,” the Minister said.
She said government will set basic rules to manage the externalities of 4IR, distribute the benefits thereof and address structural market issues, such as curbing monopolies and making infrastructure rollout pervasive.
“However, it is important to acknowledge that South Africa is not starting from a zero base, as various elements of 4IR are already being implemented across the country,” the Minister said.
She said 4IR will not only create jobs for citizens, but will ensure that the majority of citizens are active participants in the economy, specifically in research, innovation and production.
“Government’s intention is to move towards a trajectory that will facilitate a country plan for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in a manner that enables government to ensure a better life for all South Africans by reducing poverty, unemployment and inequality.”
Meanwhile, communications Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana said the Department of Communications is grateful to the Commissioners who have showed interest in serving the country.
“As a department, we are grateful to you for answering this call to be in a room that consists of the best amongst equals to drive our 4IR agenda as a country.
“It is our time to set the world alight but also and perhaps most importantly, it is our best shot at truly transforming this nation’s economy and the lives of all South Africans for the better,” Kekana said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also appointed members of the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution to assist government to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the digital industrial revolution.
Ramaphosa instructed that the Presidential Commission on 4IR be established, comprising society representatives.
