Story by: Mochekoane Lekorotsoana, Communications & Marketing Officer – Joe Gqabi District Municipality
The Joe Gqabi District Municipality’s Executive Mayor Councillor Nomvuyo Mposelwa launched the free Wi-Fi network on Tuesday, 21 May 2024 at a small rural town of Rhodes, within Senqu Local Municipality.
This network project aims at bridging the digital divide by providing Wi-Fi access to the Rhodes community and ensures universal access to internet.
The Honourable Executive Mayor Mposelwa, when unveiling the plaque and cutting the ribbon at the Library where the Wifi network is installed said, the Wifi launch took place few days before the celebration of Africa Day (25 May 2024).
“This project is aligned with government’s commitment to achieve the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 goals related to technology, as we connect the community of Rhodes to the continent and the global world”, said Mposelwa.
The main event of the launch was held at the community hall, where hundreds gathered to witness the success of the Wi-Fi project. Addressing the crowds, Honourable Mposelwa said the project also aims to create inclusive informed society and enable the government to provide broadband to Rhodes community. This shows that our district municipality doesn’t forget the rural towns like Rhodes when coming to development.
Joe Gqabi District Municipality’s IT Technician Mr. Mzamo Maloke, when explaining the importance of accessing Wi-Fi during the launch said, Unemployed youth at Rhodes, can access job adverts through their phones and can also apply for financial assistance online if they wish to further their studies next year.
Learners at Rhodes Junior Secondary School now have easy access to information for their school work. Elderly residents received blankets as winter has arrived, the girl-child learners received sanitary towel and boys received books from the Executive Mayor Mposelwa as gifts.
This is the second phase of Wi-Fi implementation in Joe Gqabi district. The first project was launched by Mposelwa’s predecessor, the late Executive Mayor Ald. Zibonela Dumzela at Bunga Hall in Sterkspruit in 2019.
