KZN ward to get wall-to-wall internet connection

One thousand six hundred households in KwaZulu-Natal will be connected to the internet. The project will enable 6 000 community members to access broadband services in the province.

The launch of the first Gigabit Mesh Network at Ward 1 of the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality is part of the government’s SA Connect programme that aims to achieve universal access to the internet funded through the Broadband Access Fund. Minister in the Presidency, Mr Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, addressed the media last Thursday (November 30) on the outcomes of the cabinet meeting to be held this week.

“This network renders Ward 1 of the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality to become the first wall-to-wall connected site in KwaZulu-Natal,” said Mr Ntshavheni. “The Broadband Access Fund has empowered Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME) internet service providers across the country to support the creation of direct and indirect job opportunities for designated groups such as youth, women and persons with disabilities. In the Harry Gwala District Municipality, more specifically, the Broadband Access Fund has been able to empower 12 sub-contracted SMMEs while creating 79 job opportunities for youth, women, men and persons with disabilities.”

The cabinet has made the inclusion of creating jobs for youth, women, men and persons with disabilities during a time when the world celebrated International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). On Sunday (December 3), South Africa joined the world to celebrate IDPD. The event is held annually from November 3 to December 3. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities commemorated IDPD which aims to promote the rights of people with disabilities at every level of society and to raise awareness of the situation and conditions of people with disabilities in all aspects of social, economic and cultural life.