The latest Annual Report (2023/24) from the Gauteng e-Government Department reveals a troubling pattern – the words “targets not achieved” are mentioned 55 times.
The report raises serious questions about the department’s ability to modernise the province’s ICT infrastructure, a key goal set at the start of its term.
Despite some progress, the report highlights significant challenges and missed opportunities that could leave Gauteng lagging in the digital age.
What has been achieved?
The Gauteng Broadband Network (GBN) project, a cornerstone of the department’s strategy, has seen some successes:
- Wide Area Network (WAN) connectivity was provided to 1,262 sites, including schools, clinics, courts, and libraries.
- Local Area Network (LAN) was installed at 722 sites.
- 8 core network nodes were upgraded.
- 50 Wi-Fi hotspots were connected, including at six hostels.
- 369 sites were equipped with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to reduce telephony costs.
Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) from local regions were contracted to support the project, promoting local economic growth.
What went wrong?
Despite these achievements, the department fell short of several critical targets.
Six key indicators under the ICT sub-programme were not met, including:
- WAN and LAN connectivity: Delays in site surveys, equipment procurement, and wayleave approvals slowed progress.
- VoIP rollout: A lack of awareness about the benefits of VoIP among departments hindered adoption.
- Wi-Fi hotspots: Insufficient identification of suitable public sites limited deployment.
- Core network upgrades: These were delayed and are now prioritised for the next financial year.
- Integrated Provincial Safety and Security Command Centre: While a building has been secured, the project remains incomplete.
Budgetary constraints, high maintenance costs, and delays in approvals further exacerbated these challenges.
The department also faced issues with long lead times for site builds and obtaining wayleave approvals, which stalled the rollout of WAN, LAN, and Wi-Fi sites.
Plans to address underperformance
The department has outlined strategies to tackle these shortcomings:
- Bulk ordering of equipment to avoid delays.
- Consultation with municipal managers and CIOs to streamline processes.
- Intervention by the Director-General to unblock stalled projects.
- Reviewing site survey and build processes to accelerate delivery.
- Campaigns to promote VoIP adoption among departments.
- Prioritising core network upgrades in the next financial year.
- Finalising the Integrated Command Centre in Midrand.
Questions to Consider
- Why does the Gauteng e-Government Department consistently fail to meet its targets despite clear strategies?
- How can the department secure sustainable funding to maintain and expand ICT infrastructure?
- What steps are being taken to improve coordination with municipalities and other stakeholders?
- Are the current strategies sufficient to overcome the challenges, or is a more radical approach needed?
- How will the department ensure that future projects are delivered on time and within budget?
Conclusion
While the Gauteng e-Government Department has made some progress in modernising the province’s ICT infrastructure, its inability to meet key targets raises concerns about its effectiveness.
With budgetary constraints, bureaucratic delays, and a lack of coordination hampering progress, the department must take decisive action to avoid falling further behind.
The question remains: Can Gauteng’s e-Government rise to the challenge and deliver on its promises, or will it continue to struggle in the race to modernise its ICT infrustructure.
Gauteng unveiled last november a cutting-edge number plate system designed to bolster security and create exciting business opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
The new prototype, introduced by the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG), features advanced security measures aimed at curbing crime and ensuring traceability.
According to the GPG’s 2023/24 Annual Report, the system will enable law enforcement officers to track and trace number plates issued by authorized embossers. By scanning the plates, officials can verify details such as the embosser, vehicle information, and owner data, making it easier to combat illegal activities.
As part of its empowerment strategy, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport hosted a workshop in Randfontein to encourage youth participation in the number plate embossing sector. The initiative also highlighted funding opportunities available to aspiring entrepreneurs.
“The registration of embossers has begun, with certificates being issued to legalized manufacturers to ensure compliance with regulations,” the report states.
A number plate embosser is a machine that uses stencils and dies to create raised characters and graphics on metal sheets, producing durable and secure license plates. In Gauteng, all embossers must be registered with the Department of Roads and Transport, in line with the National Road Traffic Act, which prohibits unregistered manufacturing or sale of number plates.
The registration process, launched in July 2023, has already seen several embossers receive certification. By November 2024, the new license plates will feature tamper-proof designs, including QR codes and self-destructing decals to prevent cloning and unauthorized removal.
