Project Isizwe extends free Wifi across City of Tshwane

Access to online resources

"We anticipate that the iPads will be a catalyst for change in their lives and bridge the digital divide. Furthermore, by donating iPads to learners and providing free Wifi across the City of Tshwane, students stand a better chance in participating fully in the digital economy," said Alan Knott-Craig Jr, Founder and CEO of Project Isizwe. "This should enable students to gain access to online resources, and improve their overall academic performances."

Project Isizwe has already rolled out free internet zones (FIZ) in the City of Tshwane in Soshanguve, Mamelodi and Atteridgeville. FIZ enables users with Wifi enabled devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops to access free internet without any logins or passwords.

Recently, Tshwane Wifi TV was launched, with the aim of showing how free Wifi networks can be used to distribute hyper-local news within low-income communities. As part of this project, local filmmakers are provided the opportunity supply content to the service, opening up myriad job opportunities. Tshwane WiFi TV has seen over 600,000 views since November 2014.

Free calls

In addition, services such as Wifi Voice will be available in September 2015, which will enable free calls between users connected to the Tshwane free Wifi network while using the Wifi Voice application. During 2016, a Wifi Drive-In will be introduced for each region of City of Tshwane. The initial service for Wifi Drive-In will be launched in April 2015. This service is video-on-demand at specific locations that will allow one to watch movies within the Wifi Drive-In area.

Project Isizwe aspires to connect people for education, economic development and social inclusion. The team aims to enter the rest of Africa in the near future, providing free Wifi to other countries on the continent. For more information, go to http://projectisizwe.org/coverage.