SITA ADVANCES INSTITUTIONAL RENEWAL AND TRUSTED DIGITAL DELIVERY

The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) has achieved an unqualified audit opinion since 2019, marking a significant milestone in its institutional renewal and reinforcing its contribution to building a capable, connected and digitally enabled state.

Presenting its 2025/26 Annual Report to the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies in Parliament, SITA outlined important progress in strengthening governance, enhancing organisational accountability and delivering the critical digital infrastructure and technology services on which government institutions depend. The audit outcome reflects SITA’s commitment to sound governance, institutional discipline and responsible stewardship. It provides a strong foundation from which the Agency can accelerate its modernisation programme and deepen its contribution to South Africa’s digital transformation.

“South Africa’s digital future depends on public institutions that are well governed, innovative and trusted. This milestone demonstrates SITA’s progress in becoming the institution the country needs to drive digital transformation across government. We are proud of what has been achieved and remain focused on turning this stronger institutional foundation into lasting public value for all South Africans,” said SITA Managing Director, Magatho Mello.

During the reporting period, SITA maintained network availability of 99.8%, supporting the continuity of essential government operations and services. The Agency also connected 1 018 sites through the SA Connect programme and delivered four digital government services, contributing to a more connected, accessible and responsive public administration. SITA continued to strengthen cybersecurity monitoring across government, enhancing the state’s ability to protect public information, secure critical systems and respond to an increasingly complex digital-threat environment. This work is central to trusted digital delivery and to maintaining confidence in the systems through which government serves citizens.

Innovation also remained a key priority. The Agency developed two innovative digital solutions and two artificial-intelligence agents for government, while establishing five strategic partnerships. These initiatives demonstrate SITA’s growing capacity to harness emerging technologies, simplify government processes and develop solutions that respond to practical public-service needs. Recognising that sustainable digital transformation depends on skilled people, SITA trained 3 259 employees, awarded 362 bursaries and provided workplace opportunities to 138 graduate interns.

The Agency’s digital skills and social-impact programmes also reached more than 2 800 learners through initiatives focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science. These investments are helping to develop the capabilities required for an inclusive digital economy while expanding opportunities for young South Africans.

“This has been a year of meaningful progress for SITA. We have strengthened governance, sustained critical government networks, expanded digital connectivity, advanced cybersecurity and innovation, and invested in South Africa’s digital skills. These achievements demonstrate the energy, capability and commitment with which SITA is helping to build a trusted digital future for our country,” said Magatho Mello.

SITA will build on these achievements by further modernising government technology infrastructure, strengthening cybersecurity and disaster-recovery capabilities, and improving the reliability and responsiveness of its services. An integrated audit action plan will support the consolidation of governance gains and help embed continuous improvement across the organisation. SITA will also continue strengthening project delivery, procurement agility, customer engagement and institutional partnerships to accelerate the implementation of strategic digital initiatives.

The Agency’s next chapter will be defined by converting institutional renewal into measurable public value. SITA’s success will be demonstrated through secure systems, reliable infrastructure, innovative digital services and stronger technological capabilities across government.

The organisation acknowledges the SITA Board, Honorable Minister Communications and Digital Technology: Solly Malatsi and the DCDT Director General: Ms. Jordan-Dyani for the leadership, strategic guidance and sustained support that have contributed to the Agency’s progress. Their stewardship has fostered an enabling environment for institutional renewal, improved performance and more effective delivery.

As SITA builds on these gains, the Agency remains committed to working with its leadership and stakeholders to translate this progress into enduring institutional strength, trusted digital services and greater public value.

ENDS

Published by Business Nexus.