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USAASA, Siyafunda unite for rural telecentres

The Universal Service and Access Agency of SA (USAASA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Siyafunda community technology centres (CTCs), to manage telecentres in under-served areas.

USAASA is mandated to promote the goals of universal service and universal access to telecommunications.

In line with that mandate, the ministry of communications has mandated USAASA to embark on access centre rollout to address the lack of communication and access to basic communication throughout SA.

USAASA and Siyafunda CTC signed the agreement at the Ratanda Centre in Heidelberg, which was closed for several years, and at the request of USAASA, rehabilitated by Siyafunda CTC.

ICT funding

The purpose of the agreement is to provide the terms and conditions of collaboration between USAASA and Siyafunda CTC, to ensure the telecentres are managed in a sustainable manner, says the agency.

It also provides the basis for a working relationship between Siyafunda and USAASA, to identify areas of co-operation and ensure resources are shared where possible.

“[This is to] promote the goals of ensuring that all citizens, especially those in the community areas where the telecentres are operating, have access to electronic communications service and broadcasting service.”

USAASA will provide funding to the community telecentres through Siyafunda CTC, to enable it to operate the telecentres.

The funding will be directed to ICT network connectivity; infrastructure cabling connectivity; computers and technology infrastructure; research and development on ICT resourcing of telecentres; and research and development of technology social entrepreneurship, among others.

Connecting everybody

“The agency has realised the sustainability of these access centres that have been rolled out depend on partnering with established entities like Siyafunda CTC that have a tried and tested sustainable model for the community centres to operate optimally,” says USAASA CEO Phineas Moleele.

He adds that the agency's vision is that by 2020, together with its partners, it will have created an environment where every man, woman and child, whether living in remote or urban areas, will be able to connect, speak, explore and study using ICT.

Siyafunda CTC enables information and community knowledge centres, where people can access computers, the Internet, and other digital technologies that enable them to gather information, create, learn, and communicate with others while they develop essential digital skills.

“The focus is on the use of digital technologies to support and address basic human needs, community, economic, educational, and social development - reducing isolation, bridging the digital divide, promoting health issues, creating economic opportunities, and reaching out to youth, the unemployed, women, and people with disabilities,” says USAASA.

Siyafunda establishes partnerships with local governments and municipalities, private business organisations, community-based organisations, schools and universities in delivering CTCs in previously disadvantaged communities and areas.

It says that at the beginning of 2011, with its local and new international partners, it evolved the CTC model into community knowledge centres.

“Our new vision is to be the network of community hubs and knowledge centres of excellence in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa,” says programme director Smiley Ismael.

The Siyafunda CTC model was developed four years ago and is now utilised in 31 centres in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal.

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