FORESIGHT ICT REPORT

The report you are about to read is one of fifteen comprising South Africa’s National Research and Technology Foresight project. Twelve tackle specific aspects of the South African society and economy and three so-called “cross-cutting” aspects.
Collectively they represent critical input into shaping national research and technology policy that will likely have a long-lasting and positive impact on the creation of wealth and quality of life for all South Africa’s citizens. We recognise the initiative of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in launching the project, the leadership, drive and enthusiasm of the Foresight Project Director, Dr Philemon Mjwara, and the dedication of the team of sector coordinators and their support staff that managed a highly complex task over the past two years.
This report addresses Information and Communications Technology (ICT), a unique
sector because it represents a scientific discipline and industry in its own right, as well as cutting across all other sectors. Even a cursory glance at the other outputs reveals the all-pervasive role of ICT as we enter the information age. The ICT sector is also unique in its pace of change and the rapid convergence of traditionally distinct areas of human endeavour. Indeed, it is almost impossible to construct a definition of ICT that will last longer than about six months before the boundaries shift. Nonetheless, the participants in the ICT foresight process were challenged to come up with plausible findings over a twenty-year time horizon!