The opportunity exists for the establishment and development of contact/call centres in the district. The BPO&O sector has been identified through ASGISA as a priority sector because of its ability to attract foreign investment and create jobs. The Department of Trade and Industry has developed a programme to attract contact centre business to certain municipalities. BPO&O operations that already exist in South Africa within Johannesburg, Western Cape and Durban is also emerging as a preferred destination for these investments. The focus is now on economically depressed areas in order to extend economic growth. The BPO&O and its labour intensive nature will contribute positively on governments’ goal to halve unemployment and reduce poverty by 2014.

iLembe has obtained a PTN license. This license is used to provide any type of telecommunication services related to the license holder’s business. The license allows iLembe to provide broadband communication and would provide opportunities for call centre development should iLembe get access to the optic fibre cables. The license is valid for the period of 10 years but is renewable and has an annual license fee of R5000. 00. Using the license Enterprise iLembe has initiated a Broadband Project with funding from the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs’ Corridor Fund. The aim is to provide Broadband in all its functions.