2.2. Strategic Priorities and Measurable Objectives of the Department The Department's core functions are to: . Develop ICT policies and legislation that create conditions for an accelerated and shared growth of the South African economy, which positively impacts on the well being of all our people and is sustainable; . Ensure the development of robust, reliable and affordable ICT infrastructure that supports and enables the provision of a multiplicity of applications and services to meet the needs of the country and its people; . Contribute to the development of an inclusive information society which is aimed at establishing South Africa as an advanced information- based society in which information and ICT tools are key drivers of economic and societal development; . Contribute to e-Skilling the nation for equitable prosperity and global competitiveness; . Strengthen the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), to enable it to regulate the sector in the public interest and to ensure growth and stability in the sector; . Enhance the capacity of, and exercise oversight over, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) as the delivery arms of government; and . Fulfil South Africa's continental and international responsibilities in the ICT field.