The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, will launch an initiative to demonstrate the use of science and technology (S&T) in creating rural economic development opportunities.
The innovation for poverty alleviation programme is a result of a partnership between the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the European Union in the Sector Budget Support (SBS) programme. The SBS supports the use of S&T and innovation to develop small and medium enterprises in rural areas, thus contributing to improvement in the quality of life.
The minister will be accompanied by the EU Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Lodewijk Briet.
All media are invited to attend.
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: 17 September 2010
Venue: Ndebele College of Education, Siyabuswa, Nkangala (Mpumalanga)
Time: 13:30
The first beneficiary of the SBS funding is the Wireless Mesh Network project aimed at establishing affordable broadband infrastructure and services in rural areas through local enterprise development. Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) and Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) are the technologies underpinning this project.
The project is being implemented by the Meraka Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
To RSVP and for media inquiries contact:
Veronica Mohapeloa
Tel: 012 843 6788
Cell: 082 882 3818
E-mail: veronica.mohapeloa@dst.gov.za
Zama Mthethwa
Tel: 012 843 6781
Cell: 082 808 3956
E-mail: zama.mthethwa@dst.gov.za
Please note the following arrangements:
Organised transport: A media bus will leave the Department of Science and Technology building at 11h00 and return again to the DST building at 18h00.
Own transport: Please use the map attached; GPS coordinates are as follows: S25 07’41.7” E029 04’26.8”
