Welcome to the 13th edition of the South African Business journal. First published in 2011, the publication has established itself as the premier business and investment guide to South Africa, supported by an e-book edition and website at www.southafricanbusiness.co.za.
A special feature in this journal focusses on the vital focus on infrastructure that is seizing the attention of the political and business leadership of South Africa. This is not the arena of endless talk shops. Rather, 160 CEOs of some of the country’s most influential companies are rolling up their sleeves and trying to make things work better. The article looks at steps being taken by a combination of the public and private sectors to beef up the country’s railways, ports and energy network. Crime is also under the spotlight. As this journal goes to print, South Africa will ascend to the presidency of the G20, a singular honour and an opportunity for the country to put its best foot forward. A brief overview of each of the country’s provinces is also provided.
South African Business is complemented by nine regional publications covering the business and investment environment in each of South Africa’s provinces. The e-book editions can be viewed online at www.globalafricanetwork.com. These unique titles are supported by a monthly business e-newsletter with a circulation of over 35 000. The Journal of Africa Business joined the Global African Network stable of publications as an annual in 2020 and is now published quarterly.
FOCUSCSIR
FOCUSCSIR e-GovernmentPioneering the future of digital public administration,by Matthew Chetty.The Council for Scientific and IndustrialResearch (CSIR) has established areputation as an innovator with progressivestrategies through its e-Governmentinitiatives and capabilities, setting it apart as a leaderin driving digital transformations within the publicadministration sector.e-Government refers to the utilisation oftechnology by governments to improve theiroperations and stakeholder interactions, aiming topositively impact society. Since its emergence in the1990s, e-Government has evolved to encompassvarious dimensions such as technology, interaction,customer needs, customer satisfaction levels andsocietal advancement. This approach earmarksstate-owned communication technologies toempower citizens through improved servicedelivery standards while boosting accountabilityand transparency.The CSIR’s commitment to innovation aimsto make a lasting impact on people’s lives. Thecouncil’s vision for the future of governanceprioritises efficiency, transparency and resilience.This goal is achieved by incorporating advancedinformation and communication technology (ICT)solutions into government operations throughits e-Government impact area. This approach notonly improves efficiency but also transforms howservices are provided, setting higher standards foreffectiveness and responsiveness.Impact areaThe CSIR e-Government impact area cements theinstitution’s commitment to contributing to thedevelopment of a capable state and improvedgovernment service delivery. The centre functionsas a crucial resource for consolidating pastand future system landscape data, generatingessential metrics necessary for devising effectivestrategies, investments and governance policies,while offering valuable guidance to all relevantstakeholders. The centre plays an indispensable role inadvancing developments in the field of e-Government.Additionally, the e-Government impact area has a solidtrack record in developing and implementing large-scaleinformation systems across the country in diverse fieldssuch as digital health, oceans and coasts monitoring,rural access and indigenous knowledge protection.The CSIR places great importance on humancapital development as a vital pillar supporting itse-Government strategy. The organisation acknowledgesthat technology alone cannot bring about changeand emphasises the need for comprehensive trainingplatforms to equip professionals with necessary digitalskills. By adopting such an approach, the CSIR ensuresthat every level of government has access to skilledpersonnel capable of confidently navigating theevolving technological landscape. This emphasis oncultivating talent leads to innovation and excellencewithin governmental institutions while promotingwidespread adoption of e-Governance practices.Digital benchmarksAs Africa’s largest multidisciplinary science andinnovation hub, the CSIR is dedicated to establishingbenchmarks for digital advancements throughproactive measures in creating and endorsing bestpractices in e-Government. It is highly regarded as anadvocate for standardisation and interoperability invarious e-Government initiatives. The organisationensures that operational results are not only robustbut also dependable enough to support long-termsuccess, with ongoing efforts to set conventions furtheraccentuating the CSIR’s unwavering commitment todriving innovation and excellence in e-Government.The CSIR’s e-Government impact area embodies theorganisation’s dedication to tackling societal issues withinventive solutions. Through its proficiency in criticalthinking, investigation and engineering capabilities, theimpact area propels intricate integrative initiatives acrossvarious sectors. This interdisciplinary approach establishesthe CSIR as a pioneer in creating comprehensive solutionsSOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 202532
for government-wide integration, product lifecyclemanagement and ensuring information securitywithin the e-Government domain.e-Government leadership in Africa has thepotential to bring about transformative change. Byutilising advanced ICT tools and methodologies, theCSIR continues to lead the way towards a new eraof digital governance on the continent, promisinggreater efficiency and transparency for public sectoroperations. As an authority in e-Government, theCSIR not only tackles present issues but also sets aprecedent for excellence and innovation that willshape future public administration across Africa.With its progressive approach to digitalgovernance, emphasising efficacy, transparencyand outcomes, the CSIR continues to inspireindustry leaders while leading the way ontogroundbreaking paths ahead. ■About the authorMatthew Chetty is the Impact Area Managerfor e-Government at the CSIR. He leadsgroundbreaking initiatives to revolutionisepublic sector efficiency and transparencythrough advanced digital solutions. With astrong background in ICT, Chetty brings awealth of expertise and a forward-thinkingapproach to his role, positioning the CSIR asa global leader in e-Government.Contact details: mchetty@csir.co.zaSOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2025
