Savant to promote SA technology
16 April 2003
The launch of Savant, a public-private partnership between the government and several key players in the South African technology industry, promises to accelerate the development of the country's growing information, communications and electronics sectors, and promote the country's innovations abroad.
Savant - the South African Technology Vanguard - pulls together a coalition of industry leaders supported by the Department of Trade & Industry and the ICT Development Council, and is the country's first marketing and branding campaign for the country's hi-tech sectors.
The multi-level project is an ongoing initiative, beginning with the establishment of an effective web presence, which is to be complemented by extensive promotion material, advertisements and projects both locally and abroad.
Speaking at the launch of Savant, Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin said the ICT Development Council sought to position South Africa as a leader in the information, communications and electronics sectors, while developing best-of-breed skills and leading-edge innovation locally. "Savant's primary goals are to create export opportunities and promote foreign and local investment," Erwin added.
Savant intends to alert prospective partners, both at home and abroad, that the local technology industry can compete with the best the world has to offer.
"South Africans are known for their ability to apply innovation. The use of common sense or 'savvy' is an integral part of South African existence, and it is in this spirit and through this reference that the name Savant originated," Erwin said, noting that the word "savant" is used to refer to a learned individual.
The Savant initiative has identified six areas in which South Africa has a distinct competitive advantage: IT training and certification, call centres, wireless development, pilot labs, niche software development, and infrastructure development.
"These specialised markets will together form the basis of our extensive plan to promote and drive home the benefits associated with South African product development, infrastructure and intellectual capital", Erwin said. "Besides the inherent valuable exposure associated with this project, there are a host of obvious business benefits and opportunities for partners as they expose themselves to international trade."
Prominent South African companies that have contributed to Savant include Absa, Comparex Africa, CS Holdings, Dimension Data, MGX, MTN, Nedcor, and Telkom.
Savant also has the backing of the International Marketing Council of South Africa, Proudly South African, the Information Industry SA, and the SA Electro Technical Export Council.
"These companies are facing up to a deeper challenge within this whole process", Erwin said. "By their very natures, ICT and electronics comprise diverse elements, and through Savant these companies are demonstrating their commitment to establishing a united front.
"Savant offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate the power behind corporate South Africa and the healthy level of competition and co-operation that exists."
SouthAfrica.info reporter
