Communications Deputy Minister will inspect and assess the implementation of broadcasting digital migration and rollout of internet services in the Free State
Communications Deputy, Ms Pinky Kekana, will lead a two-day implementation inspection for broadcasting digital migration in the Free State Province in Thabo Mufutsanyana Distict Municipality, next week. The deputy minister’s first stop will be at Reitz on Monday the 8th of April; the following day she will be in Qwaqwa in the Free State to handover internet services at critical public institutions.
“The purpose of these visits are to identify and resolve any possible challenges in the implementation of the broadcasting digital migration in the Free State,” said Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana. Free State is one of the provinces that were earmarked in the phased approach implementation of broadcasting digital migration project. Other provinces will follow.
Broadcasting digital migration will deliver a range of potential benefits across the broadcasting value chain, which may result in improving the competitiveness of the South African Broadcasting Corporation in the multi-channel environment. These include the diversity of content and channels provided on the Free to Air (FTA) television platforms. The SABC has already started to include new channels that will provide a new viewing experience to the citizens who rely on FTA services. The initiative will also spur on the growth in broadband and Internet access throughout the country.
“Government is determined to complete this project speedily, this is in line with our priority to ensure that we are in a position to release the much-needed digital dividend spectrum,” added Kekana. She will have an interactive engagement with community members in Reitz, before visiting selected households to inspect the installation of government-subsidized decoders.
In addition the Communications Deputy Minister will lead, the department’s SA Connect programme in Free State in the same region. “Through SA Connect, government is addressing the lack of affordable, high speed and quality bandwidth required by, public institutions such as clinics and public schools. By delivering internet and other related services we are actively driving the country’s development and global competitiveness” said the Deputy Minister.
Details are as follows:
Day One: Broadcasting Digital Migration Program
Date: Monday 8th April, 2019
Venue: Petsana Sports Ground, Reitz, Free State
Time: 9h00
Day Two: Roll out of Interent Services
Date: Tuesday 9th April, 2019
Venue: Bluegumbosch Secondary School, Qwaqwa, Free State Justice Lefuma Primary School
Bluegumbosch Clinic
Time: 8h30 - 14h 00
Enquiries:
Chrispin Phiri
Cell: 081 781 2261
