[26 July 2020]

The government has added several initiatives to its agenda aimed at improving South Africa’s infrastructure. These projects focus on digital advancements:

• National Spatial Infrastructure Hub (Strategic Integrated Project No 22) (Sub-project: a. National Spatial Infrastructure Hub)
• Digitising of Government Information Programme (Strategic Integrated Project No 30)
• SA Connect Phase 1B Programme (Strategic Integrated Project No 35)

Designation of Strategic Infrastructure Projects 22 July 2020

[11 July 2014]

The Infrastructure Development Act (Act No. 23 of 2014) took effect on July 10th, 2014, as authorized by the President.

Proclamation Commencement of the Infrastructure Development Act 23 of 2014

[8 June 2014]

The Infrastructure Development Act of 2014 (Act 23 of 2014) greenlighted a formal framework for Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs), including SIP 15. This Act created the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) and its supporting structures. It also allows for designating SIPs and setting deadlines for their completion.

Infrastructure Development Act 23 of 2014

[31 March 2013]

Launched in December 2012, the Strategic Integrated Project 15 (SIP 15) is the government’s official strategy for expanding access to communication technology across South Africa. Led by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) and championed by the Minister of Communications, SIP 15 aims to bring connectivity to a significantly larger portion of the population.

To support this initiative, the Draft Infrastructure Development Bill 2013 proposed to formalize the PICC’s role and establish a framework for managing and declaring Strategic Infrastructure Projects like SIP 15. While the public comment period for the Bill closed in March 2013, SIP 15 continues its work with the backing of several key departments:

• Department of Public Enterprises (DPE)
• Department of Science and Technology (DST)
• Department of Public Service and Administration
• Department of Trade and Industry
• Sentech (state-owned signal distributor)
• Broadband Infraco (government-owned broadband provider)
• Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA)

This collaborative effort brings together various stakeholders to bridge the digital divide and ensure wider access to communication technologies throughout South Africa.

A press release issued by the DST provides further detail:

Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) launch of Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) 15: Expanding Access to Communication Technology

3 Dec 2012 The Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) today launched an intergovernmental forum to spearhead the infrastructure projects within Strategic Integrated Project (SIP) 15: Expanding Access to Communication Technology. Led by the Department of Communications and supported by the Department of Public Enterprises and Department of Science and Technology, SIP 15 aims to ensure universal service and access to reliable, affordable and secure broadband services by all South Africans, prioritising rural and under-serviced areas and stimulating economic growth. This includes migration nationally, from analogue to digital television broadcasting by 2015. SIP 15 is part of the PICC, a Presidency-led initiative to co-ordinate infrastructure projects (construction, fast-tracking of current projects and maintenance of existing infrastructure) across all spheres of government and state-owned enterprises. Expanding access to communication technology will be done primarily through broadband infrastructure roll-out. To this end, a national backbone infrastructure will be established which will inter alia include establishing core Points of Presence (POPs) in district municipalities, extending fibre networks across provinces linking districts and, rural and under-served areas. The coordination and integration of communications infrastructure activities within state-owned enterprises, private entities, provinces and local government will be critical in ensuring this is achieved. It is expected that the private sector and state owned enterprises will play a significant role in expanding Access to Communication Technology. Connectivity to rural and under-serviced areas including e-health, e-schools and e-government will be prioritised. By 2013, broadband connectivity will be rolled out in 125 Dinaledi schools, plus 1525 district schools. Other members of the Intergovernmental Forum are:

• Department of Public Enterprises
• Department of Science and  Technology
• Department of Public Service and Administration
• Department of Trade and Industry
• Sentech
• Broadband Infraco
• Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA)

The Minister of Communications, Ms Dina Pule, as the Champion for SIP 15, will provide to the PICC Management Committee and Council, regular feedback on progress made in carrying out the work of SIP 15.