Telkom obstacle to job creation

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), 19 November 2006

Government wants to create thousands of jobs through call centres but says high telecoms costs stands in the way. In other words, Telkom is an obstacle to job creation in South Africa.
 
We should state here that the idea here is not to claim that Telkom doesn’t provide job opportunities but rather that Telkom stands in the way of othersthat want to employ more people. This is true if we accept the government’s word for it. Lower telecoms prices are the key that’s necessary to unlock the door to more job opportunities. Telkom stands in the way because its misusing its position to bully instead of encouraging progress.
 
Trade and Industry Minister, Mandisi Mpahlwa, made it clear that government is not going to provide incentives to Telkom to cut prices but will rather use its influence as a shareholder to push Telkom in the right direction (iBurst and DataPro to make broadband more accessible). Actions speak louder than words. We will see if government really has the balls to use their 37% stake in Telkom to make life better for us all. Most of us are sick and tired of empty promises that are most of the times made just to mislead.
 
According to Mpahlwa a “developmental pricing model” for call centres should be completed by January 2007. Let’s hope they really understand that no pricing model in this world will mean anything without the proper back up and implementation. In other words, Telkom won’t just lower prices for the sake of a new pricing model.
 
It’s beyond ridicule that many South Africans are unemployed for one because of the utter selfishness or greediness of a few individuals. Yes, a few individuals or ‘monsters’ if you like are pulling the strings at Telkom making life unpleasant for thousands of South Africans. There’s enough crime and other realities in South Africa that are turning our way of life into a nightmare. We don't need the ‘little Telkom monsters’ to help us on the way.
 
ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) will keep on exposing Telkom as the BIG BAD BULLY that’s eating away at your and my future. We shall insist in doing this until the ‘traitors’ at Telkom prove that they’re taking you and your future seriously.