ICT hub planned for Nasrec

Johannesburg - An information and communication technology hub is to be developed at Nasrec in Gauteng, the provincial government said on Monday.

Several major international and local investors have committed themselves to the development, which would become an ICT manufacturing centre for the country, said economic development MEC Qedani Mahlangu.

Some of the biggest investors are from China.

"We are working with the minister of communications to iron out the last few problems," Mahlangu told reporters at the Gauteng legislature.

The SABC and e.tv are in discussions with the provincial government about their involvement in the new development.

"IT companies tell us that there are 200 000 vacancies for skilled people in the country," Mahlangu said. "This is an area where we can develop people and fill jobs."

She said the provincial government is working with the University of the Witwatersrand and other institutions on ways to train young people and take advantage of the high supply of IT jobs.

The new development, known as the Smart City, will be part of the 2010 Legacy project.

Investors have already been secured for a film and animation studio, a multi-media centre, a data centre, a training centre and a knowledge centre focusing on research and development. Various IT manufacturing companies are supporting the development.

The whole project will be developed along "green principles".

Surrounding the Smart City will be a "green" residential development, which will operate off the electricity grid.

Speaking at the same press conference, Bheki Nkosi, MEC for infrastructure development, said job-creation, especially for the youth, is a core area of concern for the provincial government.

He said there had been problems with the introduction of national youth service, but that his department now has a more effective administrative process for the coordination and management of the national youth service programme.

"The private sector is a critical player in government's effort to develop the youth of Gauteng," he said.

For 2012/13, the department wants to recruit 3 000 young unemployed youths, with 2 000 from the previous financial year continuing in the programme.

Health and social development MEC Ntombi Mekgwe told reporters that the two departments under her supervision are to be "turned around".

This would be done with the assistance of the financial expertise of auditing firm KPMG, which will guide the departments as they crack down on corruption, rebuild relationships with suppliers and improve services to the public.

She said the health department will introduce a new category of "mid-level" worker, called a clinical associate, to assist ordinary doctors in government hospitals.