Minister Nzimande to visit South Africa's first legal community-owned Internet service provider
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande, will travel to the Eastern Cape to visit the Zenzeleni Community Networks project, South Africa's first legal community-owned Internet service, on Thursday, 5 March 2020.
Based at Mankosi Village, 60 km outside Mthatha, the project was established using a social innovation model that provides communication networks to underserviced rural communities. It includes the Mankosi and Zithule cooperatives.
The members of the community living in the mountainous region of the Eastern Cape have been successfully using affordable, solar-powered, Wi-Fi telecommunication networks since 2012.
Minister Nzimande said that the Department of Science and Innovation's commitment to improve and advance the well-being of South Africans is demonstrated in various prioritised grassroots projects aimed at unlocking economic development opportunities for marginalised and excluded communities.
"Through this project we have ensured that we provide the Mankosi community with technical and related skills, including support to install and operate their own communication services and infrastructure, allowing communities to access a more reliable network at a cheaper price than the current market offerings," said Minister Nzimande.
The Minister's visit will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, 5 March 2020
Venue: Mankosi Village (60km outside Mthatha)
Time: 11h00
For media interviews and coordination contact Veronica Mohapeloa at 083 400 5750.
Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi
Cell: 066 307 8859
