As part of its objective to connect people for education, Project Isizwe recently donated 25 Apple iPads to the top students of the City of Tshwane.
The handover took place at the 2014 Mayoral Matric Awards, hosted by executive mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa.
"We anticipate that the Apple iPads given to each learner will be a catalyst for change in their lives and bridge the digital divide. Furthermore, with us donating Apple iPads to learners and the availability of free WiFi across the City of Tshwane, students stand a better chance of participating fully in the digital economy," says Alan Knott-Craig Jr, founder and CEO of Project Isizwe.
"This iPad contribution and free WiFi hotspots should enable students to gain access to online resources, and improve their overall academic performances."
Project Isizwe is a non-profit organisation that aims to bring free Internet zones to people across SA. It continues to provide Internet connectivity to impoverished communities through free WiFi hotspots.
The organisation has already rolled out free Internet zones in the City of Tshwane in the areas of Soshanguve, Mamelodi and Atteridgeville. These zones allow users with WiFi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops, to access free Internet without any logins or passwords, says the group. "The team aims to enter the rest of Africa in the near future, providing free WiFi to other countries on the continent," it says.
The organisation also recently unveiled a R6 million video-on-demand offering in Tshwane, featuring local news recorded by citizen journalists and broadcast on the Tshwane Free WiFi network and zero-rated for users.
According to Knott-Craig Jr, the Connectup Tshwane on WiFi TV service is a bouquet of content produced by young people within Tshwane communities, "about and for the people of Tshwane".
The offering was launched with the aim of showing how free WiFi networks can be used to distribute "hyper-local news" within low-income communities, says Isizwe. "As part of this project, local film makers are provided the opportunity to supply content to the service, opening up a myriad job opportunities. Tshwane WiFi TV has seen over 600 000 views since November 2014."
In addition, Isizwe says add-on services such as WiFi voice will be available in September, which will enable free calls between users connected to the Tshwane Free WiFi network.
In 2016, a WiFi drive-in will be introduced for each region of City of Tshwane, the organisation adds. "The initial service for WiFi Drive-In will be launched in April 2015. This service is video-on-demand at specific locations that will allow people to watch movies within the WiFi Drive-In area. "In partnership with the City of Tshwane, Project Isizwe aspires to connect people for education, economic development and social inclusion."
The City of Tshwane is currently in a major drive to bring broadband connectivity to residents. The city's group CIO, Dumisani Otumile, recently called for Internet connectivity to be seen as a basic municipal service, as broadband is generally recognised as a strategic tool in building the information economy.
"Cities may have to start considering how to introduce this service to their residents. Various options may be considered for this purpose. The one option is that chosen by the City of Tshwane where free WiFi access is provided at no cost to residents."
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