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As part of its ambitious broadband project,
the City plans to set up techno hubs where people can access the internet and
boost their technology skills.
THE City's broadband project will not only
be a key conduit for sustained economic growth, but it will be a vital tool to
transport citizens to digital fluency.
Orange Farm has been identified as a techno hub
This is according to Vumani Mangali, the assistant
director of information communication technology (ICT) in Joburg's economic
development department. He says that besides transforming the way the City
delivers its services, broadband will also offer "beneficiary programmes" to its
residents.
"These programmes linked to broadband are
meant to empower citizens. They will provide access to ICT infrastructure, ICT skills,
business advice and job advisory support for disadvantaged communities."
The main focus of the broadband beneficiary
programme will be multi-service digital centres - techno hubs - that will house
existing and future programmes aimed at helping people develop, among others, computer,
entrepreneurial and job-seeking skills.
These techno hubs will be a joint effort
between the economic development and community development departments, and
focus on previously disadvantaged areas, according to Mangali.
One stop shop
"By establishing the techno hubs, we will be creating a ‘one stop shop' for
learners wishing to advance themselves in computer technology and in the
process open up their chances of being marketable when they go out looking for
jobs."
His department is busy designing the techno
hubs. Orange Farm has been identified for a techno hub, which hopefully will be
established in one of the township's community centres.
The service provider for the broadband project
has been chosen and the City is busy with auditing. However, Mangali concedes
that it still has a huge task ahead to bring the new communication technology
to its citizens.
"Before we came up with the idea of techno hubs,
we asked ourselves the question: how can we advance the lives of the people
living in townships through improved technology?
"For example, how will a sewing project in
the township benefit from the setting up of a computer centre at the same
premises? [The answer is] they will be able to use computers, draw up their own
fliers and even create their own websites."
In other words, he adds, on top of helping people
acquire digital skills, techno hubs will help to develop small, medium and
micro enterprises (SMMEs).
Business
"People in the age groups between 40 and 50 can also come for help because they
are the ones mostly looking into establishing their own businesses. So we won't
be exclusively concentrating on youth - we want to create a kind of ‘vibey'
environment for youth and small business development."
Because most townships lack internet cafes,
a concerted effort will be made to encourage young people to open up internet
cafes. "In consultation with ward councillors, we would also like to see a
situation where youth are able to own their own businesses in the ICT [sector] in
townships."
There are already established sites around
the city where techno hubs can be set up. These include the youth advisory
centres in Randburg, Yeoville and Bellavista. More sites are planned for Ivory Park
and Diepsloot.
To ensure the techno-hubs are sustainable,
corporates and companies will be encouraged to "adopt a hub", Mangali explains.
"Companies will be encouraged to donate
computers and provide training for techno hub staff."
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