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ICT Cloud and the Public Service

Charting the WCG Cloud Computing Journey

In this case study, Mr Hilton Arendse,
Chief Information Officer and Mr Ghalieb
Mohamed, IT Governance in the Office

of the Premier, shares the Western Cape
Government’s cloud technology roadmap.

Figure 1: Key enablers of WCG’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic

No crisis in recent times has tested us more than the to deliver key programmes to the public. This was
COVID-19 pandemic. The horrifying “lockdowns” possible thanks to the unwavering commitment of
may have kept millions behind closed doors and shut employees who were hard at work from home. At the
down key sectors of the economy, but government same time, WCG office buildings were empty – but
business had to continue. It was the critical factor to importantly, thanks to the power of cloud computing
pushing back the impact of the pandemic while also technology, business could continue as usual.
ensuring the provision of essential services and in-
formation. The interrelated successful rollout of broadband con-
nectivity to over 1 910 sites by November 2017 and
Broadband and cloud computing the adoption of cloud computing solutions by sev-
The Western Cape Government (WCG) faced the eral departments were key enablers of the WCG’s
daunting task of maintaining mission-critical services response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This enabled
while observing all social distancing measures under core productivity solutions that supported critical op-
the COVID-19 restrictions. While adherence to these erations and services to keep running, which would
measures resulted in a slower pace of business ac- otherwise have been inaccessible if offices were
tivity during this period, it had to ensure continuity closed.
of service for citizens and businesses and continue

22 SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW | Volume 15 • No. 1 of 2022