Communications Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana is expected to head to Edendale, Pietermaritzburg on Monday to hand over internet services to two schools and a clinic.
The handing over of internet services is part of the SA Connect Programme, government's ambitious project which aims to deliver widespread broadband access to 90% of the country's population by 2020 and 100% by 2030.
Government is also looking to the project to meet the technology goals of the National Development Plan (NDP). As part of the NDP, government has undertaken to connect its offices across the country, starting in the rural areas, to ensure South Africans have access to the most modern communication tools and services.
In terms of phase one, Connect SA aims to connect all schools, health facilities, government offices, Thusong Centres and post offices in eight rural district municipalities to broadband services.
The implementation further provides the great potential to re-structure South Africa’s ICT infrastructure in support of the NDP goal of inclusive growth underpinned by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
The internet services will be handed over to Nyonithwele Secondary School, Nyanda Primary School and Edendale Gateway Clinic.
The Deputy Minister will be accompanied by the partners that are implementing the programme, Broadband Infraco (BBI) and State Information Technology Agency (SITA). – SAnews.gov.za
