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KwaZulu-Natal’s efforts of bridging the digital divide have received a major boost following the launch of a Television White Space (TVWS) Network Operator project at KwaXolo, on the south coast.

The project, launched at the KwaXolo Traditional Court earlier today, forms part of Phase 1 of the Rural Television White Space (TVWS) Network Operator Support Programme which is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and implemented by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. (CSIR).

The project is based on a model of using Television White Spaces in a particular area to provide affordable broadband especially in rural areas. Television White Spaces refers to television frequencies allocated for broadcast but are not used in that particular area.

The company behind the project, Adnotes Digital is a 100% black owned and 100% youth owned company. The company is a beneficiary of the Youth Fund disbursed by the Premier’s 

Office and championed by Premier Sihle Zikalala. MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Ravi Pillay, represented Premier Sihle Zikalala at the launch.

“In launching this project, we are encouraged by the objective to implement wireless network infrastructures for affordable broadband internet connectivity in this rural community. We acknowledge with gratitude funding from the UNDP to enable implementation by the CSIR. With this newly completed network, KwaXolo, KwaCele, KwaMavundla and Gamalakhe township become one of the first communities in our country to deploy internet services using TVWS technology,” said MEC Pillay on behalf of the Premier.

Owner of Adnotes Digital and the brains behind the project, Nathi Mbhele expressed gratitude for all the support he has received even from the private sector. He said the KZN provincial government had also assisted him with getting a licence from Icasa.

Mbhele said the project has created jobs for 5 locals and added that he aimed to work with local community members as distributing partners and also for the maintenance of infrastructure.

Through the project, a total of 10 Wi-Fi hotspots have been set up at the KwaXolo, KwaCele, KwaMavundla traditional areas and at Gamalakhe Township. The province’s ambition is to have 20500 hotspots by 2024.

Speaking at the launch, inkosi Mxolisi Xolo defined the occasion as a historic one saying community members will reap huge benefits from this. 

“Here at the traditional court there are young people who are taught basic computer skills and the addition of the Wi-Fi will enable the young people to use the internet for meaningful things such as searching for employment opportunities,” he said.

MEC Pillay also called on communities to embrace the infrastructure set up as part of the project. “The fearmongering and destruction that we saw over the rollout of 5G towers was a serious setback. Through collective efforts and consultation, we have inspired confidence among our people that advances in technology is for all our benefit.  This TVWS technology will give our children a better chance in life,” he said”

Responding to a call made earlier by inkosi Xolo for a local school to be assisted with computers, MEC Pillay committed to providing 12 computers to the School.

Issued by The KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Ravi Pillay