The Department of Communications (DoC), in partnership with local technology partners, is joining the international community in celebrating 17 May 2014 as the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD).  The day will be celebrated with a series of events to be managed jointly by the DoC and the South African Communications Forum (SACF). The events include an essay competition for learners on the ITU WTISD 2014 theme: “Broadband for sustainable development”. The winner of the competition will be announced on 30 May 2014. On the same day, the partners will connect two schools in Orange Farm to broadband or fast internet through ICT labs.
The WTISD is celebrated annually under the auspices of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as on ways to bridge the digital divide.

“South Africa Connect”, the country’s broadband policy, strategy and high level plan, underlines the government’s commitment to using fast internet to create a vibrant information society and a knowledge economy that is more inclusive, equitable and prosperous. The sector must do more to attract and retain women.
 
“SA Connect is our Department’s key contribution to implementing the National Development Plan,” said Communications Minister Yunus Carrim. “We have restructured our programmes and activities to be located within the framework of SA Connect.”

Since the adoption of “SA Connect”, the Department has connected 788 schools to fast internet through cyber-labs, launched the iKamva e-Skills  Institute and the National Broadband Advisory Council (NBAC). The NBAC comprises local and international technical experts, and representatives of business, trade unions and civil society to advise the Minister on the implementation of “SA Connect”
 
SA Connect aims to provide universal service and access to reliable, affordable and secure broadband services by all South Africans. It is prioritizing the rollout of broadband infrastructure and services in rural and under-served areas to stimulate economic growth and social inclusion.
 
“Universally accessible broadband also needs to be affordable as well. Over time, the policy seeks to get to a stage where South Africans will have access to broadband services at 2.5% or less of the population’s average monthly income.

“This is also why we support the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s efforts to lower the cost to communicate. Lower costs, over time, will benefit all South Africans and the economy and society as a whole,” said Minister Carrim.
 
“We are clear that we can only achieve the targets we have set if we harness the skills and expertise of all sectors of society,” said Minister Carrim.
 
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