#ictawards

PRESS RELEASE

Wednesday, 22 July 2015

ICT ACHIEVERS AWARDS TO CELEBRATE INDUSTRY'S LEADING POSITION IN SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY

The ICT (Information & Communications Technology) and Broadcast industries occupy a pivotal position within the greater South African economy, contributing as much as 10% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

"Not only does ICT inject a much-needed R95 billion into the local economy annually, the fact that the sector is a very visible one means it has the capacity to change perceptions and to advance South Africa's transformation goals," said Deputy Minister of Telecommunications & Postal Services, Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize. Prof. Mkhize who will be one of the speakers at the Awards Gala Dinner on 2 October at Vodacom World Dome. .

SACF chairperson Lucky Masilela said that by providing a platform for identifying worthy ICT personalities who have spearheaded innovative and transformational initiatives in the sector, the Forum was staying true to its empowerment agenda. "The SACF aims to reduce inequality by broadening participation in the ICT sector for the ultimate benefit of every single South African," explained Mr Masilela.

According to Themba Kinana, SACF board member, the awards will help to position ICT as an inclusive enabler of greater social cohesiveness. "Communication brings us all closer and nothing enables more communication, more often, than ICT. As a SACF member, we are committed to the vision to democratise communications and our sponsorship of these awards takes us a step closer towards that goal," added Mr Kinana

The awards are unique in that both the public as well as the ICT and Broadcast industry can nominate individuals within the categories of:

• Entrepreneurship and SMME • Community Development • Local Content Production • Innovation • Future Leader • Women in ICT • Honorary Lifetime Achievers Award • Innovation for Africa Award

Nominations are not limited to members of the SACF and are open to members of the South African Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Industry.

Members of SACF include industry leaders such as Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, SABC, Broadband Infraco, Cell C, SA Post Office Sentech, Dimension Data, Neotel, eTv, Ericsson and Huawei, amongst others. As a Platinum SACF Member, Vodacom was assigned the lead role in managing the SACF ICT Achievers Awards.

For more information on the nomination process for the SACF ICT Achiever's Awards, email [email protected] or contact the Awards Organisers for partnership opportunities at [email protected]