The Department of Communications in collaboration with information and communications technology (ICT) stakeholders will celebrate the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day on 17 May 2010 at the Makhado Sports Ground in Dube, Soweto.
The International Telecommunications Union declared 17 May, the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), as a day to raise awareness on the benefits of ICT tools such as the television, radio, mobile phones and the internet and other means of bridging the digital divide.
The 17 May marks the anniversary of the signing of the first international telegraph convention and the creation of the ITU.
The department has adopted the theme, ICT for accelerated service delivery and empowerment and will be focusing on popularising the practical use of ICTs in underserviced and rural communities. This is also in support of the ITU theme: “Better city, better life with ICTs”.
To this effect, the department and the industry, represented by the South African Communications Forum (SACF), will kick-start a campaign to urge all South Africans to register for an e-mail address at designed locations to ensure they are part of the knowledge economy. The campaign is targeting 50 000 new internet users to obtain free email addresses by May 2011.
The Minister of Communications, General (Ret) Siphiwe Nyanda will deliver the key note address and launch the campaign.
The event will be held as follows.
Venue: Makhado Sports Ground, Dube, Soweto
Date: 17 May 2010
Time: 09h00
To confirm attendance please contact:
Keitumetse Hlahatsi
Cell: 082 922 3376
E-mail: Keitumetse@doc.gov.za
Enquiries:
Tiyani Rikhotso
Cell: 083 800 9936
Issued by: Department of Communications
13 May 2010
