Neotel has opened an Internet caf'e at the Thusong Youth Centre (TYC), in Alexandra, in support of the Community Support Programme that was recently started there, says the TYC.
“Schools in Alexandra, children that are part of the Thusong centre feeding scheme, matriculants, youth and the community at large [have access to the Internet cafe],” says Wandile Zote, head of corporate communications at Neotel.
Since providing access to computers and the Internet is just half of what is required to close the digital divide, Neotel has made this caf'e primarily a space for developing skills that are also essential.
“At the moment, the Internet cafe is primarily used as a training centre for computer literacy. Neotel assisted with identifying a manager to run the centre and training has been provided. There is ongoing mentoring of the manager by Neotel staff. Neotel volunteer programmes ensure there is continuous ICT and computer skills transfer,” says Zote.
The connectivity at this caf'e will be free for the first six months and thereafter a discounted rate will be provided to the centre. “The Internet caf'e software has thresholds that can be set up to restrict downloading and charge for time spent on the Internet,” adds Zote.
More to come
The establishment of this Internet caf'e is the first step in a number of similar projects that Neotel aims to undertake.
“We are planning on establishing other Internet cafes in underserved areas. The model is that we identify entrepreneurs and NGOs and conduct a study to determine if there is a need to set up Internet cafes in these areas. After all criteria are met, we then proceed to establish the Internet cafes,” says Zote.
The company has also established an Internet cafe with Disability Advocates International Equity, an advocacy organisation dealing with people with disabilities, in Eldorado Park. Two other Internet cafes are planned for Soweto, according to the company.
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