• The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has launched its first-ever Broadband and Digital Skills for Municipalities programme in Limpopo.
• The programme is set to enhance the digital and broadband-related skills of local councillors in the Limpopo area.
• Funded by the British High Commission, the department says it wants to roll out to programme to the other provinces.

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has launched the first-ever edition of the Broadband and Digital Skills for Municipalities Programme on Tuesday.

According to DCDT Minister Solly Malatsi, the programme will increase the digital skills of local councillors for municipalities across the province, potentially making the roll-out of broadband internet more inclusive in these communities.

The programme stems from the DCDT, but is in partnership with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the British High Commission, which is funding the project.

“The programme aims to empower municipal managers and councillors to steer the deployment of broadband infrastructure in an inclusive manner to reach as many of people as possible. More so those who are digitally disconnected from the rest of the world or have been left behind by many current digital advances,” said Malatsi at the programme’s launch.

“In a world where public representatives, more so councillors, are inundated with endless service delivery queries and confronted with hundreds of important decisions to make on their council work daily, having the necessary digital skills will enable them to work, smarter, resolve public queries faster and be more accessible to residents,” he added.

Councillors of municipalities from across Limpopo were present for the launch of the programme, and the department says that together with its partners, it will seek to roll out the digital and broadband skills initiative to all other South African provinces.

“We know that digital technology is a powerful catalyst for economic growth and development – the impact of digital inclusion can be profound and wide-ranging. This UK-funded project reflects the UK’s commitment to both digital inclusion and partnership with all spheres of the South African government – ensuring that we are leaving no one behind as we transition to a digital future,” said Antony Phillipson, UK High Commissioner.

After the launch on Tuesday, a two-day training bootcamp will be held for councillors which will seek to ensure that councillors are prepared to deliver services to communities for a more sustainable digital economy.

[Image – Photo by Compare Fibre on Unsplash]