On Friday, communications minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri officially launched an ICT centre in KwaZulu-Natal, to aid socio-economic development through technology in rural and underserviced communities of the province.
This is according to government spokesperson Sello Tang, who says in a statement: "Over R3 million has been committed to roll-out the infrastructure of the hub, known as the INK Community Digital Hub, over three years."
Townships that will benefit from the establishment of the community digital hub include Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu.
Based in Inanda, the hub is fitted with 24 computers, a scanner and a large electronic smart board.
"It has a video conferencing services, computer refurbishment and ICT skills training division," adds Tang.
MTN partnership
The centre was established in partnership with cellular operator MTN, which will contribute in the roll-out of infrastructure and also fund capacity building programmes at the centre.
Addressing the gathering last week, Matsepe-Casaburri urged the communities in the townships to take ownership and responsibility of the newly built centre.
"This centre is established to benefit you, not us. It is your responsibility to ensure that no one is excluded - the poor, the old and youth all must benefit from this hub," she said.
The project is led by the Universal Services Agency, the portfolio organisation of the communications department tasked with rolling out the infrastructure part of the project.
It has since appointed a local non-governmental organisation, Isibandi Soluntu Development Trust, to manage the centre.
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