Hundreds of pupils in the remote areas of Kuruman in the Northern Cape, will finally be able to connect to the internet when Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Michael Masutha, officially launches a wireless network in the area.
 
The Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) project is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) aimed at demonstrating alternative models to establishing information and communications technologies (ICTs) infrastructure in rural areas.
 
About 50 schools in this area of the JT Gaetsewe District Municipality are already enjoying connection to the internet, including five other public facilities.
 
The project funded by the European Union and Implemented by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR), Meraka Institute.
 
This project seeks to bridge the digital divide by establishing ICT infrastructure in the country’s rural areas; and as a result of advances in wireless technology (WiFi); it is now possible for anyone with a little technical know-how to create wireless connections directly between devices such as computers. The DST launched the initial phases of this initiative in Sekhukhune in Limpopo and Ekangala in Mpumalanga in 2010, connecting 212 public facilities including schools, circuit offices and colleges.
 
The project is supportive of the Schools Connectivity project, which aims to connect approximately 27 000 public schools in the country. This connectivity project is led through the e-Connectivity Forum, headed by the Deputy Ministers of Communications and Basic Education; Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and Enver Surty.
 
The Deputy Minister of Communications, Ndabeni-Abrahams, is expected to attend the launch including the Northern Cape Education and Economic Development MECs; Grizelda Cjiekella-Lecholo and John Block.
 
Details of the launch:
 
Date: 10 April 2014
Time: 10:00
Venue: Learamela Special School in Mothibistad
 
For more information contact Veronica Mohapeloa at Veronica.Mohapeloa@dst.gov.za or 082 882 3818 or David Mandaha at david.mandaha@dst.gov.za/ 072 126 8910