Pretoria - Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Siyabonga Cwele visited some of the sites that are going to be connected to the internet in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality in the Free State.
The visit on Monday was part of implementing phase one of the rollout of broadband or fast, reliable, secure and affordable internet.
“We are conducting these visits to ensure that provincial and local governments’ broadband plans are aligned to the goals of South Africa Connect.
“We are starting in rural districts because these districts have the greatest need for access to the internet and they will be the most challenging to connect,” Minister Cwele said.
He said government wants access to the internet to improve service delivery.
“For example, we need to have infrastructure that is capable of connecting all classrooms in a school to the internet to facilitate e-learning.
“We also want access to the internet to help us reduce queues at hospitals and at Home Affairs offices,” Minister Cwele said.
He said one of the key principles guiding the rollout of broadband include investing in open access networks that will help the country avoid costly duplication of infrastructure.
Minister Cwele was accompanied by Free State Health MEC Benny Malakoane and the Executive Mayor of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, Malefu Vilakazi.
The leaders also visited households in Phuthaditjhaba to deliver health awareness messages ahead of World Aids Day. – SAnews.gov.za
