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This project aims to develop and
implement an innovative communications infrastructure that is
independent of the state power and telecommunication utility
companies and to develop capacity within the Community, with
appropriate information content, to support sustainable
development in rural areas.
The communities will benefit
from the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) revolution by accessing information that is of
specific relevance to their daily lives, their overall development
process and their small business development programmes. In
addition, the project would provide the basis for the transfer of
IT solutions for development in rural communities in South Africa.
The innovative communications
solution will consist of satellite broadcasting for Internet
downloads, distribution into the villages via wireless technology
and uplink via a GSM service provider. The whole project will be
powered utilizing renewable energy such as biogas and solar power.
Wireless kiosk information terminals will provide access to
multi-media public information via touch-screen technology.
Language choice will be possible and the information available
from the Internet in print form. Individuals will have an e-mail
address.
The CSIR, together with
"partners" in the communications industry, will develop
and implement the communications infrastructure. Renewable
Energies SA (Pty) will contribute the renewable energy expertise.
The content development, however, is specific to the community
needs and it is proposed that agricultural content be piloted
utilising the know how and expertise of the Agricultural Research
Council (ARC) and Foodtek Division of the CSIR.
The monitoring an evaluation,
including the methodology for the evaluation, will be developed by
the HSRC (Human
Sciences Research Council). The CSIR and ARC will evaluate the
communication technologies and content respectively.
A critical component of the
project is sustainability and the development of business
activities and training through the Naledi model, can bring
tremendous buying power to a community in order to ensure ongoing
sustainability.
This integrated approach will be
the basis for ongoing research, monitoring and evaluation into the
application of ICT’s in a rural environment. The lessons learned
from the project will be captured in a report and a business plan,
based on the cost/benefit of ICT’s, will be developed for the
community. This will form the basis for a replication model to be
used by Government. It is anticipated that a Patent will protect
the replication model.
The CSIR is currently engaged in
a number of rural programmes and the Eastern Cape and North West
Province have been identified as key areas for development. It is
proposed that the North West Province and Tsilitswa community,
near Umtata, be the beneficiary of this project. |