South Africa’s TshWi-Fi wins global award for free wifi programme

 

The City of Tshwane has won the World Wi-Fi Day Award for Most Innovative City or Government Program to bridge the Digital Divide.

The reward recognises cities, governments and organizations that develop local and national plans to bridge the digital divide.

The programme, known TshWi-Fi, has connected more than 1.8 million people in the country’s capital and is the biggest deployment of municipal Free Wi-Fi on the African continent.

In collaboration with Project Isizwe, the City of Tshwane have developed innovative and feasible financial and technical solutions to make the roll out possible.

The awards took place at the Wireless Global Congress in Liverpool.

“Our free Wi-Fi project has radically undermined the adverse effects of unaffordable internet access by narrowing the hitherto glaring digital divide,” said incumbent Tshwane Mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa.

“We will continue to be a shining example of what it means to employ the use of technology to lead the way towards a South Africa that is democratic, inclusive, united and prosperous – ours will be the global Cyber Capital,” said Ramokgopa.

“An award in this category, showcases the need for relationship building and partnership with local government in the provision of Free Wi-Fi for South African citizens.

“Just like electricity and water, internet is a human right which we are working closely with municipalities to enable,” said Project Isizwe CEO, Zahir Khan.