1. Name and contact details of respondent: Liz Gavin, Private Bag X954, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa. Phone: +27 12 322 5400. Fax: +27 12 322 5418. E-mail: lgavin@csg.pwv.gov.za

 

2. What is the name of the programme or project in which you are involved?

The (South African) National Spatial Information Framework

 

3. What are the overall aims of the programme / project?

The provision of parameters for the development of a coherent spatial data infrastructure for South Africa: there is an emphasis on eliminating duplication in the capture, maintenance and management of spatial information, as well as ensuring that public investment in spatial information adds in value, quality and quantity of spatial information available for public sector decision makers.

 

4. What is the geographical area within which the programme operates? South Africa (although of necessity, we have established contact with neighbouring countries)
5. Duration of the programme:
1. When was the programme initiated? 1997
2. When is the programme scheduled to finish? No end date

 

6. Who are the major role-players1 in spatial data production, distribution and maintenance, as well as the major users, within this geographical area? (Note: please do not limit the answer to digital spatial data only) Production and distribution: National government departments, especially the Departments of Land Affairs, Water Affairs and Forestry and Environmental Affairs and Tourism , South Africa National Defence Force and Statistics South Africa (produce and distribute both digital spatial data, and hard copy maps); some provincial governments; major cities; Parastatals (ESKOM and TELKOM: have developed comprehensive systems for own use); private sector data brokers; Satellite Application Centre, CSIR ( receives and distributes remotely-sensed imagery); users: as above, together with Independent Electoral Commission and increasing private sector usage by e.g. banks, engineering companies, surveyors

 

7. How is spatial data distributed? (Please do not limit your answer to digital spatial data only) Hard copy maps belonging to national map series at 1: 50 000, 1: 250 000, 1:500 000 scales distributed by Chief Directorate: Surveys and Mapping, Department of Land Affairs; street maps and map books of metropolitan areas available through book shops and news agencies; digital spatial data (above, plus e.g. cadastre and statistical information) distributed via tape, CD and floppy disk; some spatial data available for viewing via the WWW. The desire to be able to obtain digital data through the internet is growing, but networks are generally not really good enough to support the transfer of large spatial data sets.
8. Co-ordination mechanisms and support:
1. Is there currently any formal or informal co-ordination of publicly funded programmes involving spatial information? YES
2. If YES, please describe briefly This is what the NSIF is supposed to achieve

 

9. Please indicate whether the programme on which you are reporting is involved in any of the following:
1. The collection of metadata ² YES Making metadata readily available to (potential) spatial data users YES
2. The development of spatial data standards ³ YES
3. The creation of basic data sets (i.e. base sets of data that could be used by a broad variety of users, for example, the road network) NO
4. If the answer to 9.4 is YES, please list these data sets
5. Developing a legal framework for accessing and distributing spatial data YES
6. Developing pricing policy for spatial data YES
10. Liaison:
1. Is there any formal affiliation of the programme / project with any global or (other) regional spatial data infrastructure initiatives? YES
2. Is there informal networking with other initiatives? YES
3. If the answer to either 10.1 or 10.2 is YES, please list these initiatives.

In contact with GSDI; participating in working towards a structure to align and support SDI building initiatives in Africa; working with SADC-wide programmes and in contact with neighbouring countries (Lesotho, Zimbabwe).

11. What, if any, are the particular challenges facing the development of NSDI / RSDI development within the region?

Lack of support and understanding of what the NSIF is trying to achieve from senior managers in government; limited resources (both human and financial); on the technical side: a slow government intranet which inhibits the provision of data via the internet

 

12. Any other information or comments ?

Currently involved in a cost-benefit study regarding investment in spatial information within the public sector. Results will be available in January 2000.

13. If there are there any sources of additional information (e.g. web-sites or brochures) , please list these or indicate how the information might be obtained.

NSIF web-site: http://www.nsif.org.za/