en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Gauteng Department of e-Government plans to utilize a R1.9 billion allocation in the 2026/27 fiscal year to advance the province's digital transformation agenda. These funds will be used to strengthen information communication technology infrastructure, expand digital government services, and establish an AI Office to drive innovation across government departments.
To promote digital inclusion and improve access to government services, the department will build and connect 300 Gauteng Provincial Network sites, extending broadband connectivity to schools, healthcare facilities, libraries, and community centers, with particular coverage in townships, informal settlements, and hostel areas.
In terms of digital platforms, the Gauteng Department of e-Government will continue to strengthen the Gauteng Digital Platform as a single access point for government services, while enhancing key platforms such as the e-Recruitment System and the Gauteng Matric App. Progress has been made in rolling out the e-Indigent Register System, which has been successfully deployed in Mogale City, Rand West City local municipality, and Merafong City local municipality.
The department stated that development in local municipalities such as Midvaal, Lesedi, and Emfuleni is nearing completion. Following relevant consultations and system gap analyses, implementation will be expanded to metropolitan municipalities including the City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane, and City of Ekurhuleni.
To support the rollout of digital applications, the department will also appoint 75 e-ambassadors to assist residents in navigating government digital platforms and accessing online services.
In public safety, the Gauteng Department of e-Government supports the province's e-Policing Programme through smart technology solutions to enhance crime prevention and law enforcement. To date, 960 CCTV cameras have been installed in the province, and over 184,000 e-Panic Buttons have been distributed to strengthen emergency response and improve community safety.
In talent development, the department plans to train 5,500 government officials, award 70 ICT scholarships, arrange experiential learning for 100 young people, support 12,000 youth through the Action Lab Programme, and empower 200 township ICT entrepreneurs. Additionally, through the Youth Tech Expo G13 Hackathon Series, young innovators from five regions will receive support to develop digital solutions targeting the province's G13 priority challenges in areas such as crime, unemployment, education, healthcare, and service delivery.
In environmental practices, the Gauteng Department of e-Government's e-waste management program is committed to promoting the safe disposal, recycling, and reuse of electronic devices to support job creation and the green economy. Cybersecurity and digital resilience are key priorities, and the department will continue to strengthen governance frameworks, security systems, and monitoring capabilities to protect government data and ensure the security of digital services.
The newly established AI Office will coordinate and promote the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across government departments, with core objectives including improving service delivery, modernizing government operations, enhancing public safety, and expanding access to digital services, while ensuring the ethical and secure use of AI.
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