The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Advocate Michael Masutha, today launched the Northern Cape phase of the Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) technology demonstrator project, at Learamela Special School in Kuruman, Northern Cape.
The WMN project, also known as the Broadband4All project, is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) through funding from the European Union.
The funding, known as Sector Budget Support, is aimed at supporting interventions that contribute to the implementation of the DST's policy to use science, technology and innovation for poverty reduction through job creation, small and medium enterprise development and economic growth.
Developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the WMN aims to take broadband infrastructure to rural communities and equip individuals with the necessary entrepreneurial and technical skills to build and operate large area wireless networks.
In the JT Gaetsewe District Municipality, 56 public facilities – of which 52 are public schools – have been connected to the Internet.
"With the successful implementation of the project, the DST intends to contribute meaningfully to relevant government policy implementation initiatives such as the recent Cabinet-approved National Broadband Policy – "South Africa Connect". This policy has a vision to make broadband universally accessible by 2030, at a cost and quality that meets citizens' needs, including formal and informal business and the public sector," said Deputy Minister Masutha.
Speaking at the launch, Lourens Cloete, Executive Director of the CSIR Meraka Institute, emphasised the importance of connecting schools to the Internet.
"The Internet is like a huge library where you can access unlimited information from anywhere. The school kids from this area now have the same opportunity to access information just like anyone who is in Johannesburg or New York," he said.
For more information contact:
Veronica Mohapeloa
Cell: 082 882 3818
E-mail: Veronica.Mohapeloa@dst.gov.za
Tendani Tsedu,
Cell: 082 945 1980
E-mail: MTsedu@csir.ac.za
