The South African Communications Forum (SACF) on Wednesday outlined plans to revive the recognition of South Africa’s top information and communication technology (ICT) achievers.

On October 2, the ICT Achievers Awards would make its debut at the Vodacom World Dome, in Midrand, celebrating individuals and companies that have significantly contributed to the transformation and growth of this critical industry.

The move was seemingly a replacement for the ICT Awards, which fizzled out in 2008 following a decade-long run after being spearheaded by late former Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri.

“It is necessary to reclaim this space and use the awards to acknowledge and reward stellar leaders [in the ICT industry],” said SACF CEO Loren Braithwaite-Kabosha at the launch of the initiative, in Midrand, on Wednesday.

South Africans had developed “world-class innovation” that was impacting the world and there was a need to recognise that, she pointed out.

The awards also aimed to broaden understanding of the impact and importance of the industry, as well as convey the potential of ICT to transform society and deal with the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

“It’s a key sector and [it] should get support,” Braithwaite-Kabosha noted.

The ICT Achievers Awards, for which telecommunications giant and platinum SACF member Vodacom was the lead sponsor, also aimed to inspire and promote actions that “further the spirit of excellence”.

Telecommunications and Postal Services Deputy Minister Professor Hlengiwe Mkhize lauded the move, throwing the full support of the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services behind the initiative.

“Not only does ICT inject a much-needed R95-billion a year into the local economy, the fact that the sector is a very visible one means it has the capacity to change perceptions and to advance South Africa's transformation goals," she added.

The nomination process for potential winners, which opened on Wednesday, would close on September 4.

All nominees would be judged on their contributions and the subsequent benefits and positive impact on society; the challenges they faced and how those challenges were overcome; their length of service in the ICT sector; and their contribution towards advancing the local ICT sector.

The categories included entrepreneurship and small, medium-sized and microenterprises; community development; local content production; innovation; future leader; women in ICT; honorary lifetime achievers and innovation for Africa.