Cape Town project takes Net access on the road

30.03.2006
The City of Cape Town has launched the Smart Cape Access Truck -- a pilot project designed to bring Internet connectivity to those marginalized areas that do not currently have access to this facility.

According to Mymoena Sharif, the manager of e-governance for the City of Cape Town, the Smart Cape Access Project was designed with the aim of giving communities access to the Internet, and has reached a significant milestone, with approximately 60,000 people accessing free Internet connectivity in nearly 100 public libraries around the city.

'We wanted to ensure that -- as far as possible -- all citizens of Cape Town have access to basic computing infrastructure and the Internet,' Sharif adds.

The truck will operate on a rotating basis across poverty-stricken areas, providing wireless Internet connectivity and also present various other needed services. Connectivity is being sponsored by Vodacom SA.

'The City of Cape Town, in endeavoring to provide services to all, but, in particular, the poorest sections of the city, has to innovate and provide smart solutions,' says Sharif.

'The notion of mobile services provides that innovation and it takes into account the needs of marginalized communities.'