More people in disadvantaged areas are connecting to free internet, thanks to the City of Joburg’s wi-fi roll-out project.

With an increasing number of people owning smartphones and the disruptions brought by the advancements in technology, being connected to the internet has become a necessity. From young people applying for jobs and internships, to entrepreneurs doing business and students doing research, they all need to stay connected.

The City’s Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC) continues to make free internet connectivity accessible at many municipal centres, libraries, old age homes, hostels and informal settlements, where many previously disadvantaged people didn’t have access.

In the previous 2021/2022 financial year, the MTC has successfully installed about 30 new wi-fi hotspots across the city.

There are about 21 sites that are already active. They include Orange Farm Skills Centre, Westgate Taxi Rank, Mzimhlophe Hostel, Cosmo City Clinic, Zandspruit Informal Clinic, Klipspruit Clinic, Eldorado Park Service Point, Westbury Recreation Centre, Lenasia Civic Centre, Sol Plaatjie Community Hall, Roodepoort CBD City Hall, Dobsonville Customer Service Centre, Nancefield Hostel, Merafe Hostel, Riverlea Old Age Home, Alexandra Women’s Hostel,  Eldorado Park Ext 2 Library, Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre, Donovan Macdonald Retirement, Dube Hostel and Council Chambers.

The MTC sees the roll-out of wi-fi to communities across the city as critical to service delivery mandate. The free wi-fi initiative will ensure that many previously disadvantage communities in the City have access to internet.

MTC is committed to bridging the digital divide and realising the City’s strategic priority of becoming a Smart City.

Written by Nkosana Lekotjolo
15/08/2022