The National Broadband Advisory Council (NBAC) has been launched in a move to help advise South Africa’s Minister of Communications on the implementation of “South Africa Connect”, the Broadband policy and strategy.
This council consists of independent technical experts and representatives of business, trade unions and civil society.
The top dogs of this body are:-
- Chairperson – Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, the CSIR president,
- Deputy chair – Prof Alison Gillwald, director of research at ICT Africa
- Member of the council – Prof Sunil Maharaj, Mandla Msimang, Arthur Goldstuck, Bernie Fanaroff, Mlamli Booi, Geoffrey Qhena, Prof Jyoti Mistry, and Jesse Maluleke.
Since the “SA Connect” begun a total of 782 schools have been provided with computers as part of giving a further impetus to the broadband plan. A new e-skills institute, Ikamva, was launched two weeks ago.
“We have an excellent team in the Council and their advice will assist in rolling out broadband faster and more effectively. We need to move faster, with greater cooperation of the stakeholders, to deliver broadband,” said Minister Yunus Carrim.
Dr Sibisi adds: “It is critical that we focus on how to implement South Africa Connect. We see our role as enabling South Africa to develop a competitive economy that encourages innovation and attracts investment through broadband.”