| Top Business Women in Africa |
|
| Name: |
Dr Sebiletso Mokone-Matabane |
| Company Name: |
Sentech |
| Designation: |
CEO |
Dr Sebiletso Mokone-Matabane has been the CEO of Sentech since 2001. Under her leadership Sentech is a founder member of Mindset Network, an NGO that produces curriculum education content, which is then distributed through Satellite broadcast (Direct To Home) on Sentech's Vivid platform and through IP Multicast. In addition, Sentech is the founding partner the Mindset Health channel which broadcasts educational, health content for hospitals and clinics. Sentech is also a member of the Oracle Consortium which has setup Nepad e-schools in seven countries in Africa . Sentech's contribution is VSAT connectivity, which allows teachers and learners to access emails and the Internet. The company provides free VSAT connectivity to underprivileged institution including Myeka High School , Sci-Bono, Twilight children's home, Siyabonga Telecentre, The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital Peri and Dipalo Centre. Her observation is that the ICT industry employs a disproportionately low number of female employees, and it is particularly difficult for women – especially black women – to establish careers in the sector. To redress this imbalance, as a leader of Sentech Dr Mokone-Matane has established the Khulisa programme that fosters technology related skills development amongst young women. |
|
| Name: |
Sandy Pullinger |
| Company Name: |
nFold |
| Designation: |
Managing Director |
Sandy Pullinger has played a pioneering role in women's mentoring and in the software and the business community in general. Sandy is a seasoned software entrepreneur. She has more than 15 years of experience in the software and Internet sectors, gained principally by founding nFold, in various sales, marketing and new business development roles at the Internet Solution and by founding Glomas. She graduated from UCT in Computer Science with first class honours and as well as business strategy. She personally founded software in action special interest group. nFold is sponsoring the Leapfrog award for the most innovative use of software in association with CSSA. As the managing director, she has been instrumental in leading nFold's software research and other initiatives for the software and business community. nFold was the first to conduct local enterprise software research and has pioneered other innovations as well.
|
|
| Name: |
Sisanda Ntlabati |
| Company Name: |
INFO TECH RESOURCE CENTRE |
Sisanda Ntlabati was instrumental in training thousands of candidates during her employment with several employers such as the University of Transkei, Umtata, Technical College, Damelin CERC, just to name a few. These institutions gave her the sound footing she needed to start her own Info Tech Resource Centre that is now fully accredited by Isett Seta. She has made a significant contribution in social upliftment of her community by equipping hundreds of individuals who came in to further their studies, including matriculated youth, adults, local professionals from different organisations, mainly government officials, including Parastatals, and 90% of the candidates were women. The centre has introduced its Edu-on-Project, donating 20 computers to five schools and took over the training of teachers at a cost of R900 per teacher and learners at R370.00. The centre is in charge of mentoring the teachers to integrate computers in their learning programme. The computers become the school's property and the centre maintains and upgrades the equipment. The programme is for a period of 2 years. Fifteen other schools will be taking part in the near future. |
| Top Business Man in Africa |
|
| Name: |
Kevin Paul |
| Company Name: |
Nambiti |
| Designation: |
Managing Director |
Kevin Paul has established himself as a successful entrepreneur within the IT Arena. Having founded Nambiti Technologies in 1997, the company also competes with the established Local and Global IT Professional Services companies in South Africa . Kevin was one of the initial board members of BLITEC, that was responsible for growing the organization from a R370k organization into a R40M company. Kevin has served on a number of Public and Private Sector company boards that include, SAP Public Services, BLITEC, Transtel, etc. Kevin is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Directors in South Africa . Paul was last nominated as a finalist - Top Businessman in the BBQ Awards 2005. Paul has led the strategic vision of Nambiti Technologies that has seen the company diversify into other service areas, SAP Implementation, Business Intelligence Solutions, IT Security. Through his leadership the company is ranked amongst one of the most successful SMME IT companies in South Africa . Kevin has expanded the business in Kwazulu Natal and the Western Cape . With 23 years experience, he has fully equipped himself with all aspects of ICT, namely the infrastructure technology side as well the software engineering side. He holds a National IT Diploma, National (N) Diploma, Dilpoma in Datametrics, B.Com (Informatics) degree & an MBA (Information Technology). |
|
| Name: |
Mpostol Jeremia Mashinini |
| Company Name: |
Sitabile Technology Holdings. |
| Designation: |
CEO |
Mpostol Jeremia Mashinini was the first black person to complete his studies in the ICT field at the former Kwandebele. He initiated a training school that introduced rural people to ICT. Around 50% of the government employees within Mpumalanga were trained through this initiative. He was among the first Government Information Technology Officers executive that has set the path for the government and ensuring better services for the state organs. He lectured at Wits Business School teaching senior executives about ICT management and value, he lectured at Technikon Pretoria delivering ICT related subjects and was also a supervisor for Master of Business Administration students within ICT. His company,
Sitabile Technology Holdings.
only had 12 employees since its inception and has since grown to a staff complement of sixty staff members since he has been at the helm. Each staff member has clear key performance areas and indicators, succession plan and a career path that includes relevant and appropriate training programs. The company was introduced to international market through international relationships with vendors like; ADIC, QLOGIC, XIOTECH, ASBIS to name a few. As spin-offs from these relationships,
Sitabile Technology Holdings
managed to bring the latest, reliable and affordable technology within the data management storage arena into the country. Consequently, a customer base of 20 steadily and rapidly grew to about 250 customers. It came as no surprise when in January 2006 Mr. Mashinini was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the group. |
|
| Name: |
Nkosana Mbokane |
| Company Name: |
Khaya Africa |
| Designation: |
Operations Director |
|
Nkosana Mbokane has been hands-on in developing the young and upcoming entrepreneurs. His passion for creating sustainable employments for a lot of young people and training young people is shown in his company where he is training a few young people in IT Skills as well as IT Project Management. He is also involved in assisting a few communities to establish internet café as well. Starting Ekhay'Africa ICT Solutions as a CC in 1999, offering consultant services to companies such as Telkom, SITA, and African Legends Technology, he recently registered it as a private company focusing on other ICT development components like IT Project Management and Business Process Re-engineering. Mbokane is an entrepreneurship mentor to up and coming entrepreneurs he's assisted to start their SMMEs. He's currently writing a book to assist young entrepreneurs in starting and growing their businesses. He is also an editor in on www.entrepreneur.co.za. He was chosen to lead a team to do a presentation at the Small Business Week conference in Cape Town . As part of Ekhay'Africa ICT Solution's Social Responsibility Mbokane is arranging and planning a project called "Technology Use In School". This is the survey that will be done in partnership with the MEC's of education in Gauteng and in Western Cape as a pilot project and it will then be rolled out to
all the provinces. It aims to assist government monitor the access to computers and Internet for disadvantaged schools. |
| Top ICT Educator in Africa |
|
| Name: |
Edward Popoola |
| Company Name: |
The Nigerian ICT4D Youth Network |
Edward Popoola first came in contact with a PC when he was in High School, where they weren't allowed to come close to the machine. Subsequent to working well with computers a few years later, his mission was to help other young people embrace ICTs. Attaining the title as the Information Technology Youth Ambassador for Nigeria in 2003 afforded him the opportunity to facilitate discussion among young people about the potentials of ICTs. His message is clear: to inform, educate and empower young people on the potential of ICTs. Also in a bid to further reach more people with the message, he volunteered for Paradigm Initiative Nigeria and the Nigerian Youth ICT4D Network. He then joined the team of young people in an ICT4D campaign to Ago-Are. Popoola is also the co-author of a book titled “Global Process, Local Reality”, which depicts how Nigerian Youth have taken the principles of the WSIS to rural communities through ICT4D campaigns. He was part of the Advisory board for the Nigerian World Summit Awards in 2005 and part of the Jury for the World Summit Youth Awards that same year. |
|
| Name: |
Mokati Tshabalala |
| Company Name: |
its4africa |
| Designation: |
Team Leader |
Working on a zero budget, Mokati Tshabalala is the team leader of a volunteer group of IT students (its4Africa) whose aim is to spread the use of IT to as many people as possible. In just 3 months the team managed to change the lives and expectancies of individuals and communities through the use of technology. To this extent, the team intends on implementing a plan to promote the use of IT to all Africans. This will be done in spite of the lack of funds and resources. The members of its4africa have gone from knowing IT to teaching IT. The team plans on initiating its strategy of IT roll-out through multi-level networking, again on a zero budget.
|
|
| Name: |
Pule Kobela |
| Company Name: |
David Kholoane Computers |
| Designation: |
Lecture |
With little or no experience Pule Kobela is servicing under privileged students in ICT. He faces the challenge of training 40 students on 22 working PCs, teachers not cooperating in rescheduling the school time table because of the Department of Education. Thirty minutes of training time a week. Over and above ICT training, he assists students in Mathematics, English and Science to help them with their work. In short I use ICT to assist students excel in what they need to know most, their curriculum as set out by the Department of Education.
|
| Top ICT Youth Innovator in Africa |
|
| Name: |
Nomfundo |
| Company Name: |
Shesha IT Technologies cc t/a Computer Fanatix |
| Designation: |
Managing Director |
Her achievements and successes in maintaining an IT company at such a young age bears testimony to her leadership skills. Learning from the best in the industry has contributed a lot towards her success. Her company, Shesha IT Technologies, develops customized software and develops web pages for clients. Shesha IT Technologies also provides students with in-service training for IT Students and this also affords them better opportunities when applying for jobs in the industry. Job creation is one major skill that the company produces. |
|
| Name: |
Rafiq Phillips / Miguel dos Santos |
| Company Name: |
iDrive |
Through the leadership of Rafiq Phillips and Miguel dos Santos , iDRIVE.co.za has utilised existing cutting edge web technologies to build a unique driving school and instructor management system, with search engine to provide what was never before available. All technologies used are open source enabling low cost implementation and able to keep up with rapidly developing web technologies such as AJAX , Web 2.0, Social media networks and sms gateways. iDRIVE.co.za has won 1st position in the National Innovation Competition 2005 at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology & was a Finalist in the National Innovation Competition 2005 Awards. The team believes that i nnovation has the potential to be a global resource for learner drivers and a global business system for driving schools. The system has been designed with international coverage in mind from the start and will be able to be implemented anywhere driving lessons are taught. It will enable driving schools and instructors, nationwide and eventually internationally, to focus on their core business, which is essentially teaching people to drive, on what have become nowadays extremely dangerous roads. This system thus has the potential to greatly increase the quality of local and possibly the world's driving instructors and reduce the road accident rate. With the uptake of mobile instant messaging programs, like Mxit, iDRIVE.co.za is the first service in South Africa to use this communication platform to offer real-time support to users of the website. The lack of quality local websites aimed at the 17-25 age groups prompted this innovation. |
|
| Name: |
Timothy Kasonde Kasole |
| Company Name: |
Balancing Act-Africa Youth Foundation |
Balancing Act-Africa Youth Foundation (BAAYF) has introduced a simple wireless technology for the Zambian youth in rural areas to gain Internet access by using tin cantenna technology. BAAYF's greatest achievement has been identifying the cheapest technology that can be used to get access to the Internet by using an ordinary tin or can, N type female RF connector, Copper wire and other tools. Working under the mission of ensuring that by 2010 the youth of Zambia and the rest of Africa have access to ICTs, inspiring young people to adopt IT skills and personal development, building the nation, regional corporation and global participation as well as bridging the digital divide in Africa, BAAYF Innovation has the potential for future development. Its innovation shows potential for development due to the support received from the Computer Society of Zambia (CSZ), Colleges, and other cooperating partners including other youth led organisations within Africa ." |
| Top ICT Young Intrepreneur in Africa |
|
| Name: |
Nomfundo Ngushe |
| Company Name: |
Shesha IT Technologies |
| Designation: |
Managing Director |
Nomfundo has shown outstanding leadership skills throughout her career. She achieved an award while studying as top student in her class. She's completed A+/Windows Network Infrastructure/SQL Server 2000 / Microsoft Windows Directory Service / Web & Graphics Design / Designing Security and she is also an international Microsoft Certified Professional. These calcifications stand as prove of my IT understands and by this it shows that I'm capable of implementing any IT related issues. She runs a company called Shesha IT Technologies, which is registered by SITA as a supplier. She's a software developer and runs a company that is 100% female owned. Shesha IT is currently developing communication software that is customized and looking to outsource it through the company brand. Within the company there are customer made software for our customers e.g. point of sale/ Internet Timing software/ clocking software and we is working on providing Wireless Services in KZN area.
|
|
| Name: |
Thabo Malebadi |
| Company Name: |
Embizo Solutions |
| Designation: |
Group CEO |
There are numerous highlights which as a young entrepreneur, one would like to mention. Being 23 yrs of age and running a company that has made several headlines in the country and the telecoms industry, Thabo Molebadi has achieved the lowest Telco rates in Africa . Competing in the international arena has been some of the achievements Molebadi has made. He started e-Mbizo Solutions with only R5000 fro his mother in 2001. With minimal exposure he managed to build a company currently based in Sandton. He started his company as a result of his lack of funds to complete his studies at Pretoria Technikon. By managing to establish a truly local VoIP offering, Molebadi initially got the company approved by the |
|
| Name: |
Vinny Lingham |
| Company Name: |
incuBeta |
| Designation: |
Founder |
In the past 6 years since entering the online marketing industry, from a homegrown South African base, Vinny Lingham has made an impact on the global Online Search Engine Marketing Industry. Incubeta, the company he founded in 2003 is now an international leader, driving over 1 Billion Rands in annual sales for clients and employs over 50 full time employees in Cape Town , with offices in London & Los Angeles & the company expects to break R100m in annual revenues next year - in less than 4 years of operation . He is currently a designated speaker at 6 different international conference circuits, speaking in Europe & North America on a regular basis. Incubeta has won awards this year in the UK , US & South Africa, for Innovation in Technology, most notably, the Business Day Award for Most Promising Emerging Enterprise in South Africa in 2005 & is currently a finalist for Overall Winner the medium sized enterprise Technology Top 100 in 2006 . Startup companies rarely have access to working capital, and for Lingham it was about raising capital and matching debtors with creditors, which took a long time. He's spoken at conferences hosted by organisations like CITI in Cape Town , to advocate the use of online technologies such as AJAX and Search Engine Marketing & Web Development. Incubeta has developed some world class technologies such as Media Manager and Synthasite (a Web 2.0 Collaborative Platform) . Lingham's company has created and trained nearly 100 staff & associates in South Africa and educated them in the value of the Internet and the potential for Africa . He has also taken students fresh from varsity and given them world class technology skills. |
| Excellence in Journalism in Africa |
|
| Name: |
Bontle Moeng |
| Company Name: |
ITWEB |
| Designation: |
JOURNALIST |
Bontle Moeng specialised in ICT in Education and government. She also wrote a lot of CSI stories. Her passion for people made her realise that a great majority of people live in underdeveloped areas appreciate the help they receive and in as much as they don't know much about ICT, they welcome it with open arms. As a journalist who wrote stories mainly about the man on the street, Moeng was instrumental in making these people understand the power of technology. In her work, she showed that the role of ICT is changing in the lives of South Africans and Africans at large. She has also proved, through her writing that ICT is no longer for the privileged. |
|
| Name: |
Gilbert Busuulwa |
| Company Name: |
Uganda media & research foundation |
| Designation: |
President |
In 2001, shortly after the presidential elections Gilbert Busuulwa founded Uganda media and research foundation (umerfo) to bring together journalists to retain quality journalism rather than public relations due to political exploitation. The organisation grew from Kampala based nucleus to over twenty districts in the country, boasting of more than 49 members. In 2005, he introduced another brand name called iMedia Forum, which is a multi-media program strategy of Uganda media and Research Foundation aiming at strengthening PPPs in hands-on ICT friendly Projects. This Forum considers Poverty Eradication Action Program and Millennium Development Goals as basic policy documents in program implementation. He has been a Correspondent of WBS TV for five years. Through iMedia Forum program designs, he encourages Public and Private Organisations to create partnerships for knowledge sharing and learning, having realised that ICT reporting alone cannot transform the sector, but however working together to achieve the same objectives. |
|
| Name: |
Glory Mushinge |
| Company Name: |
Media ICT Network for Development (MIND), Zambia |
| Designation: |
JOURNALIST |
With over four years being actively involved in ICT initiatives that aim at bridging the digital divide, Glory Mushinge has, through her writing been vocal on educating African people's misconception that ICTs are for the elite. She has also been instrumental in writing thought provoking features that got the authorities acting on improving the status of Information Society within her country as well as making submissions to the Zambian ICT policy. In her writing she has been able to simplify and explain terminologies that alienate the man on the street to the industry's gurus. Through this her articles have been received by a greater audience. She has also recently almost single handedly worked tirelessly to produce and launch a booklet on ‘Best Practices of ICT for Development projects in Zambia ' on behalf of a network that she chaired for about three years, called The Media & ICT's Network for Development(MIND). |
| Top Public Sector Department Embracing ICT in Africa |
|
| Name: |
Dudley Kevin Petersen |
| Company Name: |
Dept of Communications |
| Designation: |
Acting GITO |
He is currently the Director Information Technology Operations in the Department of Communications, South Africa . Since last year, he's been acting Government Information Technology Officer due to the transfer of the GITO to the Premier's office in the NorthWest Province . He holds a Technical Diploma in Electronics obtained from Pretoria Technikon. Upon joining the department in May 2005, he initiated a project of introducing network printer for a number of users to print to. This initiative reduced printing costs. He also replaced the cabling infrastructure throughout the department to Cat6 Highband Structured Cabling and replaced the Generic PABX to a Network Exchange called a VCX. It in turn reduced maintenance costs on cabling dramatically. He also introduced IP telephone through his Secure Converged Network Solution for the department. |
|
| Name: |
Kgabo Hlahla |
| Company Name: |
Department of Home Affairs |
| Designation: |
DDG Information systems |
Kgabo Hlahla is currently the deputy director general for the department of Home Affairs, South Africa . He pioneered the transformation of Home Affairs Information Systems and Services to overhaul service delivery for the benefit of South Africans as well as foreign nationals, among them: Mobile Technology utilization to increase client access to services, Connectivity in Hospitals for birth and death registrations, introduction of ambitious projects to anchor and enable e-government, contribution to the GITO Council and ICT in government overall, implementation of the largest ICT Youth development programme in government to
empower the youth of this country. Currently through his leadership, South African Fingerprint Database for identification is the largest Public Sector biometric Identification database in the world, allowing for 27 of the 29 million citizen records to be digitised. He is also the Chairperson of the e-Government Standing Committee in the Government Information Technology Officer Council. He was previously the CIO of Department of Social Development and the Department of Land Affairs. He holds a BSC (Computer Science and Physics from University of the Western Cape ), Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Information Technology from Peninsula Technikon, and Secondary Teachers Diploma. |
|
| Name: |
Nirvesh Sooful |
| Company Name: |
City of Cape Town |
| Designation: |
CIO |
Nirvesh Sooful is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the City of Cape Town, South Africa. He's studying for an Executive MBA at UCT. He has two certificates from the University of Stellenbosch , a B COM Honours in Information Systems from UCT. He's done a thesis in Information Technology Management Programme, an advanced Business Programme certificate at Technikon Natal and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Durban . He is the key architect of the City of Cape Town 's Smart City vision, which was a bold strategy to harness the power of information technology and systems to transform government processes, while at the same time dealing with the social and economic issues facing the city. While holding the title of CIO at the City of Cape Town , he has implemented some of the largest ICT projects ever undertaken in government. The ERP implementation has resulted in increased revenue of approximately R1 Billion for the City of Cape Town . Via the Smart Cape Access Project, 500 internet terminals running Open Source technology has been deployed across the city. These facilities current connect 85000 disadvantaged users and has resulted in job creation, poverty reduction and opening access to opportunities for all.
|
| Top ICT Company in Africa |
|
| Company Name: |
Arivia.kom |
Arivia.kom aims to become the dominant ICT Company in South Africa , using its truly South African roots to provide services and solutions to South Africa , African and international markets. The company supports via means of outsource contracts two of the largest South African utilities, and supports a number of significant Government Departments. Arivia.kom is rated one of the four largest IT professional services providers in South Africa, with an estimated 7,8% share of the local market, approximately 1 600 permanent employees, seventeen service centres around South Africa, and R1,59 billion in turnover in the 2004/2005 financial year. Arivia.kom offers its clients a national infrastructure, a diversity of services and understanding of the requirements of clients with large-scale, critical systems. Service offerings Arivia.kom provides integrated business solutions that include the entire spectrum of information technology services. The group's focus is high-end business technology solutions that support the public sector and large private sector corporates, primarily within the Africa client base. The business is characterised by large, end-to-end IT outsource agreements, the deployment of turn-key business solutions and the provision of niche solutions. Arivia.kom specialises in solutions and system integration, rather than commodities. The group's partnerships form an integral part of its business model, while it remains vendor agnostic.
|
|
| Company Name: |
eCom Institute |
e.com institute, a privately held 100% BEE Company has battled against all odds to establish itself as a leading eBusiness Solutions Provider. The company operates on the high end of the ICT value chain competing against multi-national and listed ICT companies to deliver complex solutions to large enterprises and Government departments. Growth has occurred however evasively over the initial 6 years but colossally over the past 12 months primarily as a result of the delight factor delivered to a customer base that continue to reflect their growing confidence in the company by continuously increasing their ICT spend to e.com institute. With minimal external funding, nil external support and a zero over-draft, the company has moved from a small enterprise to a large enterprise category by embracing and conquering a variety of challenges. A motivated and extremely loyal workforce is the bedrock upon which the company has expanded to effectively compete and win against the best. Winning an African ICT Achievers Award and a Technology Top 100 Award has helped the company to get ahead. |
|
| Company Name: |
Technology Corporate Management |
Technology Corporate Management (TCM) is one the fastest growing privately owned companies that has grown from a staff of 250 to 380 people. TCM has embraced the South African governments broad based empowerment policies and has benefited greatly from them even though its focus has been largely in the private sector. TCM focuses on supplying integrated IT solutions to the Small Medium Business market and has grown to where it is today by developing a service delivery culture that empowering its people. One of the company's greatest achievements was using the State Information Technology Agency's Youth Internship Program to get young, skilled people. Through this, TCM was able to employ at least 30 skilled young people. Some of the Awards won include the IBM Top Business Partner award for 7 years running Lexmark, Top services company HP Preferred Partner, Impumelelo Top 300 Empowerment Company, ITALDEV Platinum Membership, MIMIX Top Partner Award 2004/2005, LANSA Top Partner Award and Lenovo Top Partner Award 2006. |
| Most Transformed ICT Company in Africa |
|
| Company Name: |
Accenture SA |
In Accenture South Africa , 9 of 16 board members are black, 31 percent of Accenture's senior executives are black, 55 percent of employees are black, 44 percent of employees are female, and 76 percent of recruits during the last financial year were black. Accenture Technology Solutions has trained more than 60 black people who have become successful participants in South Africa 's Information and Communication Technology sector. In the last financial year, Accenture placed over 61 percent of its discretionary procurement with black-owned companies. In the past five years, Accenture has provided instruction in basic computer skills to over 600 black people. Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) is a force to grow the nation. Its success is intertwined with the success of the country and the meaningful integration of all South African people into the economy. Accenture is deeply committed to BEE—it is one of the cornerstones of the company's business strategy. Accenture has been highly successful across all seven dimensions of the BEE charter being set for the ICT sector. In September 2005 Accenture sold 30 percent of ordinary shares in its South African operations to a black-owned trust, a majority of whose trustees are black directors of Accenture. |
|
| Company Name: |
Swicon South Africa |
Within a period of 6 years from inception, Swicon sold 45% shareholding to Seemahale Corporation a Black Economic Empowerment Investment Company. The remaining 55% is controlled by a Swiss holding company. It is the philosophy of Swicon that BEE should not merely consist of a minimal shareholding. True BEE should consist of a major and active stake in the organisation. The Swicon/ Seemahale BEE deal represents one of the few instances where a wholly owned foreign entity has concluded such a major BEE shareholding agreement. Swicon's immediate goals are; local job creation, skills transfer, assisting other BEE companies through preferential procurement policies. Seventy percent of Swicon's total procurement spend was awarded black empowered enterprises. Furthermore, a major contribution towards Skill Development in South Africa is facilitated through the Swiss Business Council to which Swicon holds the Presidency. |
|
| Company Name: |
Faritec |
Faritec has impressive empowerment credentials as it continues its efforts to build the largest empowered IT companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. It is 43% Black owned, 44% HDI staff compliment (African, Coloured, Indian), Female HDI staff represents 57% of total, 65% discretionary spend with empowered suppliers, 60% HDI Board representation - 1,5% NPBT spend on CSI. It is one of the largest BEE companies on the JSE (IT Index) . Previously was 30% owned by J & J Group and with the acquisition of Enterprise Connection a new black shareholder in the form of Canal Square was introduced, which moved the company to 43% black ownership. Faritec spends 1,5% NPBT on CSI. In 2006 it has partnered with the SOS Children's Village where it has erected a computer centre in partnership with Microsoft, IBM. There is already an improvement of 19.1% from last year. Our discretionary spend to BEE suppliers were R46m in 2004/2005 financial year and has now improved to R57,4m in 2006.
|
| The Most Innovative ICT Company in Africa |
|
| Company Name: |
Expertron Group |
Expertron has recognised that municipalities find it challenging to provide enough payment points for prepaid electricity close to every resident's home. Expertron developed the "Cell Power" system to address these problems. "Cell Power" makes it possible for a municipality to appoint people from the community as vendors of electricity. These vendors use their own cell phones as point-of-sales devices to sell prepaid electricity and they are able to give the client the PIN voucher. After the City of Tshwane bought the system, it was rolled out during July 2005 and supported by Expertron for the past year. 160 new small businesses have been created, and the number of clients per payment point reduced. "Cell Power" uses existing technologies: Cell Phones as "payment terminals” and WAP over GPRS to save communication cost (it costs amount one cent to do a transaction. These are all proven technologies, but put together in a way which makes sense in Africa . |
|
| Company Name: |
Spescom Limited |
Spescom is a multi-national technology innovator with direct operations in the US , UK and South Africa . Spescom addresses the information and communications technology (ICT) market providing products and solutions to connect to the network economy, as well as enterprise software to manage information and knowledge. Spescom constantly develops new products and services aimed at the local and international voice technology market through its subsidiary company, Spescom DataVoice. The technology, currently deployed in over 60 countries around the world emanates from a vibrant company comprised of a team of experienced professionals. DataVoice systems capture, manage and re-create the crucial information that is an integral part of a business's daily contact with its customers, and other businesses. SPESCOM'S VISION “To see all leading organisations worldwide utilising Spescom's products and solutions to manage information and connect to the networked knowledge economy.”
|
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| Company Name: |
nFold |
The company first started to conduct SA Software research in 2003; nFold worked with ITWeb in 2005 and now has a JV with World Wide Worx. This enables them to comment on trends, offer impartial advice, help companies choose the right software and it work. It also distributes niche software with channel partners. In 2006 nFold was first to host showcase events for competing software vendors. It started a software special interest group for CSSA and will sponsor a Leapfrog award for innovative software users. As a new entrant in the software market, its unique position ‘software that works’ is making waves. Rather than simply selling software nFold is becoming a resource for managers in mid-sized companies wanting to use
software to improve their business results. The company’s mailing list and sales pipeline have both grown six-fold. The number of channel partners doubled and the turnover is growing. |
| Top ICT SMME in Africa |
|
| Company Name: |
Cabling for Africa |
Starting off as a simple 2-man "garage" operation in 1999 the company has grown to become a recognisable brand within the market with 30 trained employees. Its competition comprises local branches of companies listed on the JSE/LSE. Against this stiffly competitive backdrop and a challenging local business environment the company has been able to offer and retain high level services to government, Parastatals and local blue chip companies (including multi national banking and major service provision institutions). Cabling for Africa has been successful in forging product partnerships with globally recognised manufacturers and standard organisations. It is currently the only recognised Premier Cisco Partner in Botswana and is striving for higher partnerships. Some of these partnerships have eluded larger organisation owned by companies falling outside the SMME category. |
|
| Company Name: |
KhulaCom communications management trading cc. |
KhulaCom has grown from an idea into a living entity that has been empowering businesses and individuals. The company attracts enough business to see the company being sustainable and growing by applying good management skills that will also enable staff to perform and deliver good service. The business continuity plans that are put in place include registering the company into database and creating enough awareness about the company so as to have the company known and the services that it delivers to the market. KhulaCom is exploring the issues of pushing the Voice over Internet Protocol. The company has also been doing a local community web site for its target market with the effort of putting local business under one roof. |
|
| Company |
Nambiti Technologies (Pty) Ltd |
Nambiti Technologies consolidated itself into a successful wholly Black owned ICT SMME company. It has made a big impact on the local ICT arena by becoming a serious player that has consistently delivered profits. Nambiti has transitioned itself into developing internal competencies to compete with the established large local and international players within the ICT arena. Nambiti also sub contracts work to black SMMEs and specifically, black women owned companies, where possible. Nambiti has diversifies into offering IT security services. It currently provides services to customers such as Metrorail. It has exported IT skills to other African countries and the Middle East . The company has, through the leadership of Kevin Paul become a serious player within the SAP services business in the market. It has invested in building and entrenching itself in key accounts such as National Treasury with the view of becoming a key player in Governments Transversal systems replacement programme. Nambiti has also made significant in-roads into the mining sector, with De Beers accounting for a high percentage of the company's revenues.
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| Top ICT Workplace Provider in Africa |
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| Company Name: |
Accenture |
Accenture is a global service provider and works with clients across multiple geographies. The company seeks to attract, retain and develop the best staff in order to help clients become high performing businesses. Skills loss is an inherent risk in the consulting and outsourcing environment, where peoples' proficiency is so visibly displayed while they work with clients to help them become high-performing businesses and governments. Accenture considers its people to be the single greatest source of competitive advantage. Combining unique skills and talents of Accenture's people with a culture that rewards innovation, entrepreneurship and execution is a tremendous source of value. Accenture is committed to developing its people as innovators and leaders - making them part of a high performance team. Employee Satisfaction is measured through an Annual Global Employee Survey, where employees are asked to provide input and comments on where they feel Accenture is doing well and areas that can be improved. The Survey seeks to measure employee engagement and satisfaction. Employees have the opportunity to above everything; gain a broad base of world-class business and technology skills in their chosen fields. |
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| Company Name: |
IBM South Africa |
IBM SA strives to lead in the creation, development and manufacture of the industry's most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics. I BM believes employees are a critical resource to its sustainable existence and growth to meet the expectations of its shareholders. When the company had reached a point of reviewing its values it turned to employees, initiating a Values Jam, an online discussion forum that enabled all IBM employees (more than 300 000 already in 2001) to air their views. Today the company's values are owned by, and drive, employees. IBM also believes that an empowered employee is likely to deliver high and quality performance and demonstrate dedication to the attainment of the company's goals and objectives. The company is able to keep staff happy by conducting random Surveys which gather employee views on identified issues. The company's MD has All Managers' Meetings that take place every quarter where company issues are discussed and cascaded to all employees. The company's Weekly Online Newsletter has a popular Suggestion Button, where employees make suggestions and provide feedback on anything that affects them. At a global level, the company has an IBM's online Jam, which addresses any identified issue; be it Innovation or the company's values. This gives the employees an opportunity to contribute to the continued growth of the company and in finding solutions to the challenges it might be facing. It allows employees the option to design their work-life around their personal circumstances. All employees are issued with a laptop (the IBM ThinkPad), less than 1% has desktop computers. All these employees have remote access to the company's network via a secure and toll-free landline connection or are issued with 3G Cards. |
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| Company Name: |
Netsurit |
Netsurit has taken an extremely people focused approach to running its business. The company has three core objectives and one of these is “To Acquire and Retain the Right Staff”. The people objective is the most important of the three. Netsurit is a company that is committed to the growth and development of its employees, this is a core aspect of the company's culture. It assists facilitates staff to develop in many ways. There are good reports from past staff with regards to the type of workplace provider Netsurit is. It is dedicated to its people and loyalty goes both ways for the company. It encourages its employees to build long-term careers with the company and assists staff in achieving their goals. There are many strategies and practices that support the view of commitment and loyalty that is expected from employees. Every staff member at Netsurit is required to complete a personal development plan once a year. This is owned by the staff member and is facilitated and supported by their line manager. This occurs during December which coincides with Netsurit's strategic planning process. Staff are also encouraged to enter into mentorship relationships
either with someone within the business or from outside of the business in order to assist them in achieving their goals and reaching their development dreams.
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| Top Civil Society to Bridge the digital Divide in Africa |
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| Company Name: |
Computers for school Kenya |
Since inception of operations in January 2003, CFSK a Kenya NGO has developed a distinguished model, for deployment and sustenance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in educational institutions. So far, the institutions covered include: - 220 Public Secondary Schools 12 public primary schools 24 Tertiary colleges 28 Community Access Centres 1 University. This model is being emulated by other African & South American Countries. CFSK creates easy access for communities' through technology by provision of ICT equipment, maintenance of the same, capacity building and integration in learning to the users, mainly drawn from the rural areas. In addition, CFSK has established Regional Centres across the country for easy access. CFSK is implementing sustainable ICT projects in communities using the following processes: - Definition and enforcement of standard infrastructure to both the participating institutions and to donor organizations, sourcing of affordable ICT equipment Refurbishment and deployment of the said ICT equipment Sensitization and provision of user proficiency training for administrators, training of ICT teachers in software & hardware troubleshooting, maintenance and other innovative technologies. |
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| Company Name: |
Khanya Technology in Education Project |
Khanya is primarily a pedagogical project that empowers educators to embrace technology as a means to enrich the learning experience of learners. Though the Khanya Project is a Western Cape regional project the lessons learnt and methodology applied are significant to share and encourage other provinces towards bridging the elusive digital divide. A large pre-occupation of Khanya is on evolutionary training. Educators to a large degree have been the beneficiaries of using ICT within a planning, recording, teaching and learning environment. Far-flung communities that had little or no chance of sharing in technology had gained access to Internet services, digital imagery, GIS systems. Far greater familiarity with things technical has been achieved but more so incorporating it in the daily interaction within education. |
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| Company Name: |
Translate.org.za |
Translate.org.za has spearheaded the translation of computer software into all South African official languages. By focusing on Free and Open Source software the organisation has ensured that all people can have access to the technology and that the people themselves can take ownership of technology and language. Added to this is a keyboard and fonts for typing and viewing Tshivenda and spell checkers in various languages and the potential impact in terms of making computer technology accessible, affordable and useful to those who do not speak English becomes apparent. This affords South African citizens the opportunity to use a PC in their own language. The organisation believes that it is much easier to teach a computer to speak Zulu (for example) than to teach someone to speak English. Translate.org.za is not always directly involved in the communities that use its translate software. Because the software is Free and Open Source it means that anyone can use it and deploy it in communities.
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| Top Minister with an ICT Potfolio in Africa |
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| Name: |
Minister Abel Musonda Chambesi |
| Designation: |
Minister of ICT, Zambia |
Abel Musonda Chambesi is the first minister in Zambia to implement an ICT Policy that would work as a foundation for Zambia to become a true regional telecommunications and transport hub. As a result of his efforts, Zambia has introduced and approved an ICT policy for the first time in Zambian history. Due to this ICT Policy, the Telecoms market has been liberalised and local empowerment has become an integral part of it. Furthermore, there is already an Inter-ministerial committee on ICT which has produced an action plan for the next 12 months. With his leadership, an ICT Bill has already been drafted and will be presented to the next Parliament for ratification. |
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| Name: |
Minister Motshoahae Thomas Thabane |
| Designation |
Minister of ICT, Lesotho |
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) plays a vital role in the development of our economies. Thabane has developed an ICT Policy, its implementation plan and Information Technology Bill for its implementation. Lesotho is in the process of developing Universal Access Policy based on the guidelines set out by the policy. Through his leadership, the country is initiating other projects that focus on ICTs through the e-governance project. There is also the introduction of the open source software to selected schools at all levels, including tertiary, teacher training, and university and at some offices in public service. There are also silo projects which are gradually being integrated as e-governance project rolls out. E-education is also taking off and the added advantage is that Lesotho is also running the NEPAD e-schools program. |
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