Rural and underserviced peri-urban areas stand to benefit from an information communication technology (ICT) project that will contribute towards development of the knowledge economy in the North West Province.
Expansion of the Ulwazi Express Programme to other areas in the province was approved by the Provincial Executive Council in its last meeting held on Wednesday this week.
The social upliftment programme is aimed at empowering previously disadvantaged communities through increased access to information to catalyze the integration of people from these communities into the mainstream economy by providing them with general knowledge, current information on matters of public interest and importance including career guidance.
The programme supported by the Department of Trade and Industry and endorsed by the Department of Science and Technology has been in operation for the past two years and is currently running at 27 sites in the province.
North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise has expressed optimism that the
programme which offers free access to educational and informative content through enhance ICT digital infrastructure to beneficiaries will improve innovation.
“Innovation only flourishes in an educated society hence the programme seeks to create better informed communities through the world class local and international informative content” added Premier Modise.
The programme is facilitating the building of a knowledge based economy through an informative and educational channel to Thusong centres, Tele-centres, Educational-Support centres, clinics, schools and Further Education and Training centres.
A provincial launch of the programme is planned on the 9 December 2011 at one of the sites in a remote area to demonstrate the impact Ulwazi has made in communities where it operates.
ENQUIRIES: LESIBA MOSES KGWELE (ACTING SPOKESPERSON)
TEL : (018) 391 0420
CELL : 083 629 1987
FAX : (018)381 0328
EMAIL : LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
