Keynote address by Hon. Joel Kaapanda at the launch of the 2009 Drivers of Change Awards

Statement by Hon. Joel N Kaapanda, Minister of Information and Communication Technology at the occasion of the MISA Namibia launch of the 2009 Drivers of Change Awards, 01 April 2009

Director of Ceremonies

Mr Kaitira Kandji- MISA Regional Director

Mr Marbeline Mwashekele-MISA Namibia Representative

Mr Norman Tjombe- Director, Legal Assistance Centre

Ms Emma Tuahepa Kamapoha-Executive Director, Lironga Eparu

Mrs Veronica de Klerk- Director, Woman Action for Development

Distinguished Invited Guests

Members of the Media

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am greatly honoured to have been invited to this august gathering of imminent media personalities and to be associated with initiatives that seek to practically address the socio-economic challenges in southern Africa, such as poverty reduction. We are gathered here tonight to recognize and create opportunities for deserving persons and entities that made it their mission to uplift the socio-economic conditions of our peoples, to be awarded the "Drivers of Change Award".

It is reported that about 100 million people in our region, live in abject poverty. We need concerted efforts to overcome these challenges confronting the SADC region which include food insecurity, HIV/AIDS and other diseases.

Responding successfully to these challenges calls for national as well as integrated regional approaches by government, media, business and civil society.

The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology values the Media's contributions toward the upliftment of the marginalized and the poor through empowerment with information and awards such as this noble initiative. However, the Government's role in partnership with business, media, and civil society must be appreciated and understood properly. It is therefore disheartening to note that certain local imminent media houses made a sweeping call for the abolishment of the very institutions that seek close partnership with the media in the process to build the country as a stable democracy based on the rule of law where the fundamental human rights of citizens, such as freedom of speech, are respected.

As for the role of civil society poverty reduction and empowerment of the poor, I am advised that the Southern Africa Trust is one of such organizations that are working tirelessly to reduce and eventually end poverty in southern Africa. The Trust supports projects aimed at overcoming poverty in 15 southern African countries, covering basically the whole of SADC. The Trust was established as an independent, regional non-profit agency to support processes to deepen and widen engagement in policy dialogue with a regional impact on poverty.

I am glad to note that the Southern Africa Trust introduced the prestigious "Drivers of Change Awards" in 2006 especially in contributing to the development of effective public policies and strategies to overcome poverty. In order to enhance the effectiveness of these policies and strategies, Governments are key in facilitating the communication of such information to the citizens.

The Government Information Ministries are the conduits of information with regard to policies, laws and guidelines to inform and educate the public on issues affecting their daily lives. A well-informed society is empowered to participate in public debate and developmental issues. Government has a broader base of information dissemination channels to reach a wider audience.

The Government achieves its information dissemination targets through existing communication devices such as radio, television, regional information offices and print media which compromises Government News Bulletin, New Era and Namibia Review. These devices enable the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology to play a pivotal role in information dissemination.

Therefore, the existence of Ministry of Information and Communications Technology is vital in managing government and channeling it to the nation. The Ministry should not be viewed as an entity that is in place to censor or control the media in this country, but it should be seen as a partner by media fraternity.

The transformation of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to the Ministry of ICT has broadened its mandate. It is now tasked with the development of ICT laws, such as the Communication Bill which will facilitate the establishment of an independent regulatory authority and the development of ICT, Telecommunications, Broadcasting, Postal Services and Overarching Policies. All the policies enumerated above have been finalized and are ready to be submitted to Cabinet for approval, while the Communication Bill will soon be submitted to Parliament for passage.

These functions are crucial for the growth of the ICT industry and the promotion of ICT in general to address the digital divide in the country. The ministry of ICT will embark on a roll-out programme country wide to facilitate the utilization of ICT by establishing multi-purpose resource centers and kiosks at various public outlets to create access to ICT in order to impact computer skills for general use and research purposes.

The Ministry of ICT is responsible for implementing SADC decisions such as those embellished in SADC Protocol on transport, communications and meteorology which advocate the linking of communication infrastructure of Member States. These linkages are vital in narrowing the communications gaps and enhancing the adoption of common standards of communication technologies.

Namibia has done its part in extending optic fiber cables towards all its neighbours' borders. Furthermore, this Ministry is tasked to implement another SADC project, namely the migration from analogue to digital of our public broadcaster. In addition, the ICT Ministry is responsible for the maintenance of high technology standard and coordination of all Government ICT projects.

These duties of the new Ministry of ICT are evidence that the ministry is an essential player in Namibia's socio-economic and political spheres. Without the ministry of ICT, Government will not have an appropriate platform to promote ICT as tool for learning, job creation and poverty reduction. Our Government sees ICT as the right instrument to create a knowledge based society in line with Vision 2030.

Since I appreciate the role of the media in a democratic society such as ours, I extend a hand of invitation to all media practitioners throughout the country to foster a close working relation with Government Ministries in order to understand the duties and functions they are created for.

Government projects are designed to bring positive change in the lives of the people, therefore the essence of the Driver of Change award commensurate the efforts of government. Government recognizes the important role played by civil society in the fight against poverty through various initiatives such as community-based income generating projects which empowers the poor. I therefore find it appropriate to associate myself with this event tonight.

Namibia, as the host of this prestigious event is still to make its nomination. I therefore call upon everyone in this room to nominate an individual or organization that you believe should be recognized as a Driver of Change. This individual or organization you intend to nominate can be from Namibia or any other country in southern Africa. Nominations in English, French and Portuguese will be accepted from today until 10 July 2009.

Finally, I wish to appeal to the media practitioners, especially as we are getting closer to the election date, to be objective and accurate in their reporting. We must work together to promote harmony and political tolerance amongst different political formations.

With this, ladies and gentlemen, it is now my distinct honor to declare the nominations for the 2009 Drivers of Change awards officially open.

I thank you!