Vodacom and the Vredendal community today celebrated the launch of five new base stations on the N7 route which connects Vredendal and the Namibian border - effectively bringing continuous mobile communication to Vodacom subscribers travelling on the N7 from Cape Town to Namibia.
The celebration marks the final phase of Vodacom`s three-phased base station project in the Cape, following the launch of the Kheis, Arkoep, Wolwekop, Kharkams and Namaqua Game Lodge base stations.
Dot Field, Chief Communications Officer of Vodacom, explains Vodacom`s motivation in connecting the road from the Cape to Namibia: "Vredendal, Springbok and Middelpos serves as a base from where trips to Namaqualand, West Coast and the Cederberg mountains are often undertaken. With ubiquitous road coverage farmers and other residents in remote areas will now have easy access to emergency and other services."
Field emphasises that the new base stations will not only bring coverage along the N7, additionally having cellphone connection can play a significant part in promoting bottom-up socio-economic development, while simultaneously stimulating small businesses and entrepreneurship.
"Vodacom continually invests in network development to improve coverage for its customers," concludes Field. "Besides providing a point of contact and enabling users to participate in the economic system, these communities along the N7 can now also have more contact with their family, friends and business partners as a result of mobile phones."
The celebration was a fun-filled day with a wide variety of activities for the whole community, emphasising Vodacom`s continued commitment to consult and communicate with communities in successfully fulfilling the requirements of the network and the concerns of the community.
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Set in the Green Fringe of the Olifant`s River Valley, Vredendal borders on the southern tip of Namaqualand, the northern part of the Boland. According to tradition, the town got its name from a peace settlement between two fighting parties in the 17th century. This tradition of peace and harmony continues in the modern day time as reflected by the community of Vredendal. The new coverage sites on the N7 (Namakwa Game Lodge, Kheis, Arkoep, Wolfkop and Kharkams MW) and the site Middelpos increase the surface area of South Africa covered from 70.9% to 71%. The surface area of the Northern Cape covered increased from 40.5% to 40.9%.
These new sites provide near continuous coverage of the N7 from Van Rhynsdorp to Springbok, a distance of 250km. A further three sites were brought on air in April 2006 between Springbok and the Namibia border to provide additional coverage for this 100km stretch of the N7 road. During May 2006 the N7 south of Springbok was further improved by an additional two sites.
A further three sites will be constructed on the N7 between Van Rhynsdorp and Garies before April 2007 to complete this phase of coverage expansion along this road.
With the new base stations in their region, Vredendal farmers now have new business prospects in their reach, such as ecotourism. Ecotourism represents the fastest-growing segment of the tourism industry in South Africa. By giving tourists a taste of an undisturbed and simple lifestyle, farmers can set up recreational trials with accommodation in huts or campsites, offering tourists hikes, bike rides and other activities. Nature and outdoor lovers are sure to find the Cape and its surroundings of great interest with its rich flora and fauna, its unique fynbos and the variety of animal and birdlife which can be seen and enjoyed.
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