[14 July 2017]
South Africa is launching a new program called “Internet for All” to connect millions of citizens who currently lack internet access. This initiative is a partnership between the government, the World Economic Forum (WEF), and their global project with the same name. The WEF’s goal is to bridge the digital gap for the billions worldwide who are not online.
The South African program will tackle several challenges that prevent widespread internet access. These include building the necessary infrastructure, making internet affordable, developing digital skills among the population, raising awareness of the benefits of internet access, and creating locally relevant online content.
The program kicks off with public awareness campaigns aimed at reaching residents in unconnected areas. Soweto will be the first location for a pilot campaign, with similar events planned throughout all provinces later this year. The specific schedule will be announced after finalizing the overall “SA Connect” roadmap.
Following the public awareness events, there will be community sessions involving government officials, WEF representatives, and other local and international stakeholders. These sessions will focus on forming working groups, establishing a steering committee, and creating a clear plan for achieving the program’s goals.
The desired outcomes of the community sessions include:
- A “Kliptown Declaration” outlining South Africa’s commitment to the digital revolution.
- A clear structure for managing the program.
- A system for measuring progress.
- Specific goals for internet connectivity.
- A timeline for reporting progress to both the South African government and the WEF.
The ambitious goal of “Internet for All” is to connect 22 million South Africans to the internet by 2020.