KwaZulu Natal ICTe Cluster
KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Department of Economic Development has identified a cluster approach to grow the Information Communication Technology and electronics (ICTe) sector and harness its cross-cutting capabilities in the province. The main aim for the clustering process is to bring together all stakeholders involved in ICTE in the province under an umbrella body that will be able to implement programmes to address blockages and to improve the international competitiveness of the industry.
A Cluster Forum consisting of various stakeholder groupings within the ICTE sector as well as some of the larger users of ICTE will be formed. Its overall purpose is to provide a mechanism to promote networking and cooperation amongst all stakeholders involved in ICTE within KZN that will enable the identification and implementation of strategic projects that will open up the way to improving the national and international competitiveness of the industry in KZN.
The Strategic Priorities of the cluster are:
- Building cluster scale: this involves the marketing of the cluster and its initiatives to ensure increased participation and support by all stakeholder groupings.
- Development and retain key skills: this involves improving the quantity, quality and availability of ICTE skills in KZN.
- Promote knowledge and innovation: this involves increasing the amount of knowledge created in the province and promoting increased levels of knowledge transfer with the aim of improving overall innovation levels.
- Facilitate networks and bridges: this involves increasing the quality, quantity of collaboration amongst stakeholders within the cluster, as well as bridging outside of the immediate cluster.
- Grow SMME's: this will involve ensuring that a dynamic and supportive start-up and growth environment existed within KZN so as to increase the number of viable SMME within the province.
The main stakeholders of the cluster are:
- The public sector e.g. government departments, municipalities
- ICT Companies in KZN.
- Electronics Companies in KZN.
- Users of ICT
- ICTE Research and Development Institutions e.g. UKZN, DUT, UNIZUL , Meraka