Plans to expose a disadvantaged Cape community to the benefits of the Internet have hit a snag - lack of Internet access.
The hitch comes amid plans by the Internet Society of South Africa (ISOC-ZA) to host the country`s first Internet Fiesta on 19 and 20 March at the Belhar Community Centre. Belhar is a suburb of Cape Town where the majority of households earn less than R76 000 per year.
ISOC-ZA chairman Alan Levin says the Fiesta is designed to be a fun-filled event, catering for people from all backgrounds and ages.
"People are provided with free Internet access during the two days and one night in a festive atmosphere of music and entertainment, dispelling the intimidating image technology has among people who are unused to it," he says.
The Shuttleworth Foundation has picked up the R20 000 technology infrastructure tab, which includes supplying 50 thin client workstations and the local area network. The R25 000 logistics sponsorship, which includes arranging facilities such as power and venue, will be covered by the Provincial Government of the Western Cape.
Another crucial sponsorship - worth about R35 000 - is still needed. This is for the Internet connectivity.
"Ironically, in other countries this would be the smaller of the sponsorship requirements. ADSL connectivity would not work for an event such as this and so an expensive frame relay network would have to be installed," Levin says.
The Fiesta will include entertainment provided by local bands and DJs, and volunteers will help people surf the Net and deliver talks on various aspects of the Internet.
The Internet Fiesta originated from the Internet Society chapters in mainly non-English speaking countries as a means of increasing Internet penetration and educating the general population about the digital world.
"In many of those countries Internet penetration has reached more than 99% of their populations because of events such as the Fiesta. However, in SA, some 75% of the population has not had any experience of it and we are aiming to overcome this," Levin says.
One of ISOC-ZA`s members, Chris Hartzenburg, comes from Belhar, and Jenni Husler, ISOC-ZA`s chairman of education and outreach programmes, has led the event organisation.
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