The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) has recognised and awarded Small, Medium and Micro. Enterprises (SMMEs) that have developed digital technology solutions to address social ills.
A number of SMMEs have presented digital business strategies and products that can be integrated into government’s systems and processes for enhanced service delivery.
SITA recognises SMME’s developing technology solutions to address social ills
Deaf Awareness Month
In commemoration of deaf awareness month, DeafTouch is among the SMME’s recognised for business ideas that drive digital inclusion
DeafTouch founder, Claybourne Appies has developed a telecommunications application that aims to address communication challenges that plague the deaf community. His mobile application makes it possible for deaf people to access emergency mobile services.
“The deaf community can now use video phones, laptops or any smart device that has a video capability. They’ll be able to sign out and speak directly in sign language to the interpreter or to a deaf agent in a call centre,” says Appies.
SMMEs get recognition for digital inclusion
Digital inclusion
He believes that as the government transforms its operations for the fourth industrial revolution, the digital inclusion of marginalised groups is critical.
“In South Africa, we have about 4 million deaf people that are in need of services. As far as we are into our democracy, you still find a situation where the government is still really unable to service the deaf and the blind communities and even those disadvantaged communities simply because of access. So now that we have technology, we can give access to services, I think the accusations have really been cut out of the equation,” says Appies.
Annual ICT conference under way in Durban
Facial recognition spectacles
Similar to DeafTouch, REAH Sign Communicate has created facial recognition spectacles that give a deaf person access to a sign language interpreter as they interface with a hearing person in realtime.
Nombuso Nkosi of Reah Sign Communicate says, “The deaf community is abused a lot, but they don’t report such crimes because of the communication barrier. If the police services had such products, it would be easy and they would feel safe – that if I go to a police station, I will be understood and I will be able to report my crime.”
Nkosi says the product will help if So if rolled out in police stations and hospitals.
Government has identified the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector as the key driver to bring its services closer to the people.
Mobile applications, facial recognition, and cloud technology are just some of the digital technologies that have been showcased at the 2022 GovTech conference to help improve service delivery.
Govtech 2022 conference | New App launched to support SMEs
The Digital Public Service Awards recognises the work ICT companies are doing to assist government deliver services to the people, We were awarded with the Digital Innovator Award and also the SMME Recognition Award at the @govtechZA conference!#GovTech2022 #deafawareness pic.twitter.com/GQTFug09MS
— deaftouch (@deaftouch2) September 14, 2022
Infrastructure is the bedrock and the backbone of a country. The synergy between infrastructure development and information technology is critical to enable rapid progress, leverage opportunities, and provide solutions to the country and nation’s most pressing challenges. pic.twitter.com/0m11U7Df80
— SITA SOC Ltd (@sitasocltd) September 8, 2022
