ICT and e-governance

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can play a critical role in sustainable human development and poverty eradication[1]. ICT is a powerful enabler of development goals because of the way in which it improves communication and the exchange of knowledge and information necessary for development processes. ICT is pervasive and cross-cutting, impacts the full range of human activity and will become one of the main enablers in the pursuit of poverty alleviation and wealth creation in developed and developing countries. As accelerator, driver, multiplier and innovator, ICTs are powerful if not indispensable tools in the massive scaling up and interlinkage of development interventions and outcomes.[2]

ICTs also play a critical role in speeding up the flow of information and knowledge between government and citizens and transforming the way in which governments and citizens interact. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) the challenge for all countries is to create and develop a system of governance that promotes, supports and sustains human development[3]. Governments in many parts of the world have made huge ICT investments aimed at improving governance processes.

E-governance is regarded as the ICT-enabled route to achieving good governance since it integrates people, processes, information, and technology in the service of governance initiatives. The expected benefits of such public sector reforms have been identified as an increase in the efficiency of government operations, strengthening democracy, enhancing transparency, and providing better services to citizens and businesses[4].

Defined broadly, e-government is the use of ICT to promote more efficient and effective government, facilitate more accessible government services, allow greater public access to information, and make government more accountable to citizens. E-government has emerged beyond electronic service delivery and is part of the ongoing reform and transformation of government enabling participatory governance and partnerships to improve efficiency and effectiveness[5].

E-government is about transforming government to be more citizen-centred. Technology is a tool in this effort. E-government successes require changing how government works, how it deals with information, how officials view their jobs and interact with the public. E-government is also within the South African context split up into different sectoral areas such as e-health, e-education, SMME (Small and Medium Enterprises) and local content. Achieving e-government success also requires active partnerships between government, citizens and the private sector. The e-government process needs continuous input and feedback from the “customers”— the public, businesses and officials who use e-government services. Their voices and ideas are essential to making e-government work. E-government, when implemented well, is a participatory process.

E-government and ICT are seen as elements of a larger government modernization program. It is well understood that simply adding computers or modems will not improve government, nor will only automating the same old procedures and practices. Making unhelpful procedures more efficient is not productive. Focusing only on the computers will not make officials more service-oriented toward government’s “customers” and partners. Leaders should think about how to harness technology to achieve objectives for reform. ICT is an instrument to enable and empower government reform.

In South Africa, the Vision 2014 describes an inclusive Information Society, one in which the use of ICTs will be harnessed to ensure that everyone has fast, reliable and affordable access to information and knowledge that will enable them to participate meaningfully in the community and economy[6].

The Vision further aspires to move the country from being a consumer of ICT products and services to being a major player in the production and innovation of these products and services. The cornerstones of this Inclusive Information Society are a vibrant and thriving ICT sector, an enabling policy and regulatory environment, accessible ICT infrastructure and broadband connectivity, and an appropriately skilled and knowledgeable citizenry.

The vision for e-Government expressed in the approved E-Government Discussion document entitled, “Electronic Government, The Digital Future: A Public Service IT Policy Framework”, published in 2001 by the Department of Public Service and Administration recommended that an e-Government initiative should address three main domains:

• E-government : the application of IT intra-governmental operations (Government to government or G2G)
• E-service : the application of IT to transform the delivery of public services (Government to Citizens or G2C)
• E-business : the application of IT to operations performed by government in the manner of G2B transactions (e.g. procurement)

The vision for achieving e-Government in South Africa is to render services around life episodes of the citizens that follow a series of events, from cradle to grave. Such services must be accessible to all citizens anytime, anywhere and through different access devices and media. All stakeholders – government and nongovernment - were invited to participate in defining the vision. Continuous buy-in and participation from critical role-players is recognized as a key priority. This is achieved through a series of intergovernmental consultative workshops and working together with the Government Chief Information Officer Council.

The vision of e-government is the optimization of services so that government can achieve its goals. One especially sensitive issue, which may prevent or delay service delivery, is the issue of fraud. Within the e-government policy and strategic framework, there is no particular focus at how government will address the issue on non-delivery of services or inefficient service delivery to citizens.

Although there is no explicit reference to corruption in the South African E-government vision, a number of important strategies are in place. To address the specific problems of corruption, Government launched South Africa’s National Anti-Corruption Programme followed by Public Service and National Anti-Corruption Summits. Late in 1999, Government also co-hosted the 9th International Anti-Corruption Conference. At the beginning of 2002, Government adopted the Public Service Anti-Corruption Strategy.

The e-government vision is informed by the growth and development priorities expressed in Vision 2014 as well as the Millennium Development Goals whereby ICT’s are regarded as an enabler for the achievement of these goals within a broad and integrated developmental approach, rather than just as an infrastructure. E-government is firmly seen as an integral pillar for developing a South African Information Society and within this, e-education, e-health, and the development of small and medium enterprises within the ICT sector.

[1] United Nations ICT Task Force (2005) Information and Communication Technologies and the Millennium Development Goals, UN ICT Task Force, New York.
[2] UN Millennium Project (2005) Innovation: Applying Knowledge in Development. UN Task Force on Science, Technology, and Innovation, New York.
[3] United Nations Development Programme, ‘Governance for Sustainable Human Development: A Policy Document’, [Online], Available: http://magnet.undp.org/policy/chapter1.htm [03 July 2006].
[4] Flak, L.S., Olsen, D.H. and Wolcott, P (2005). “ Local E-Government in Norway”, Scandinavian Journal of Information Systems, Vol 17, No.2, pp. 41 – 48.
[5] The Working Group on E-Government in the Developing World, “Roadmap for E-government in the Developing World, 10 Questions E-Government
Leaders Should Ask Themselves”, April 2002.
[6] Presidential National Commission on Information Society & Development, “Towards An Inclusive Information Society for South Africa, A Country Report to Government”, November 2005.