Free wireless internet was officially launched at the Touwsranten Community Hall on Monday by Minister of Economic Opportunities Alan Winde. This system can link up to 20 000 new users and make provision for 150MB free internet per device, per day.
In Eden, the free WiFi project is being run by the non-profit organisation Digital Village. The initiative is a pilot project and forms part of the Western Cape Government's R1,3-billion broadband plan to connect the province's residents to affordable internet, said Bronwynne Jooste, ministerial spokesperson.
"Residents will have unlimited browsing of selected Western Cape Government sites and online employment and education platforms such as Wikipedia and Career Junction," said Jooste.
Three WiFi spots have been established in Touwsranten, at the local primary school, the community hall and a general dealer across the community hall. Residents living within 500m from these spots will have free access at their homes. To extend the range of the wireless internet, Digital Village developed an antenna made from recycled material, which will pick up the signal within a kilometre range, in the line of sight. These antennae will be made available at reasonable prices, said Herman Labuschagne, a director of Digital Village.
Digital highways
"We used to trade with each other via ships, which took months. Now we are building digital highways," said Winde during his opening speech.
"This internet access connects the people of Touwsranten to the global village.
"By giving this kind of access, you give kids a massive advantage. The entrepreneurs of the future are all 13 and 14 years old."
Winde asked the municipality to start an awareness campaign to educate the residents about the use of WiFi and help them to make good use of the opportunity. He also encouraged private enterprises to collect old Smartphones from other communities, to distribute among the youths in Touwsranten.
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Alan Winde (middle), Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities, takes a closer look at an antenna that was developed by Digital Village, to extend the WiFi range in the community of Touwsranten. In front, from left are: Imel Rautenbach (director of Digital Village), Winde, Jo-Ann Johnston (chief director of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism) and Mayor Charles Standers. Back: Justin Miles (director of Digital Village), Herman Labuschagne and Francois Redelinghuys (CEO of Digital Village). Photo: Michelle Pienaar
ARTICLE: MICHELLE PIENAAR, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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