department of rural development and land reform -...

Free WiFi For Africa NPC, trading as Project Isizwe

NPO Registration 133-371 NPO

156 DORP STREET, STELLENBOSCH, 7600, SOUTH AFRICA

PROPOSAL FOR FREE WIFI TO THE DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM (RDLR)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................ 3

THE DEVELOPMENTAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTEXT .................................. 4

THE LEGAL AND POLICY CONTEXT ...................................................................... 5

THE BENEFITS OF CONNECTIVITY ........................................................................ 6

THE DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM ............... 6

RURAL REFORM INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON THE YOUTH .................................. 7

STRATEGIC GOALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND

LAND REFORM ......................................................................................................... 9

HOW WILL FREE WIFI ADRESS THE RDLR STRATEGIC GOALS? .................... 10

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OVERVIEW

The President stated in the 2015 State of the Nation address the importance of

connectivity as a growth enabler. In today’s fast-paced, digital world, the average

South African is at a disadvantage, due to a lack of access to the Internet. There is

an enormous amount of services and information, accessible via the Internet that

supports informal learning, social inclusion and economic development from which

they are excluded. Free Internet Zones (FIZ)s offer a solution to this impasse.

Each FIZ will offer a WiFi hotspot, covering open public spaces that will allow

learners and community members to simply connect and surf using any WiFi

enabled device. Access to the Internet will bridge the digital divide, allow for 21st

Century blended learning, greatly improve communication and stimulate job creation.

The impact of this project has the potential to change the trajectory of South Africa’s

youth, building the leaders of tomorrow and encouraging them to become citizens of

the world. Keeping this in mind, it is critical to consider the developmental local

government premise of the Constitution which impacts all citizens directly. The

benefits of the Internet are of greatest value to those living in rural areas, and yet

these same citizens suffer from the slowest speeds and highest prices.

The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform’s mandate appears most effective when viewed in union with that of developmental local government.

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THE DEVELOPMENTAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTEXT

The White Paper on Local Government, 1998, defines developmental local

government as:

"...government committed to working with citizens and groups within the community to

find sustainable ways to meet their social, economic and material needs and improve

the quality of their lives".1

This new and broad mandate for local government is in line with the objectives for

local government set out in the Constitution (1996) (see below). According to the

White Paper, it seeks to address the apartheid legacy which "has fundamentally

damaged the spatial, economic and social environments in which people live, work,

raise families and seek to fulfil their aspirations.” The previous local government

system led to an extremely uneven distribution of resources and distorted, fragmented

patterns of development. The eradication of these distortions and imbalances and the

poverty which flows from them is one of the greatest challenges facing local

government.

Developmental local government should adopt a strategic, creative and integrated

approach to local governance to address this challenge. It involves actively seeking

partnerships with all role-players that contribute to the development of an area -

including other organs of state, the private sector and communities - in order for

municipalities to fulfil their core responsibilities in a way that has a lasting and

profoundly positive impact on the quality of life of the people they serve. The partnership between local government and the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is therefore critical to unlock the outcomes intended by both their mandates.

1 National Business Initiative Democratic Local Government 2000 -‐ 2001: A Guide for Councillors. 2000.

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THE LEGAL AND POLICY CONTEXT

1The Constitution (S152) puts in place a vision for developmental local government

and contains the objectives for developmental local government:

• To provide democratic and accountable government for local communities

• To ensure the provision of services to communities in a sustainable manner

• To promote social and economic development

• To promote a safe and healthy environment

• To encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in the

matters of local government.

In terms of the Constitution, the White Paper and the legislation flowing from it,

municipalities are required to structure and manage their administration, budgeting

and planning processes to give priority to the basic needs of the community, to

promote the social and economic development of the community and to participate in

national and provincial development programmes. In this respect the two mandates of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and that of Local Government correspond exactly.

Connectivity can help to address the developmental mandate of local government and

support the strategic goals of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and brings it into alignment with the President and Government’s vision

expounded in the National Development Plan.

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THE BENEFITS OF CONNECTIVITY

The benefits of the Internet are of greatest value to those living in rural areas, and yet

these same citizens suffer from the slowest speeds and highest prices.

The well-documented consequences of Internet access are as follows:

THE DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM

The Comprehensive Rural Development Plan (CRDP) which was conceptualized by

the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform and adopted by Cabinet in

2009, serves as the overarching policy trajectory of this department. Based on a pro-

active participatory community-based planning approach to rural development, the

envisaged outcome of the process is the creation of “vibrant, equitable and

sustainable rural communities.”2

2 Policy for the Recapitalisation and Development Programme of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. 2013:7.

• LED PERSPECTIVE: The World Bank estimates that for every 10% of broadband

penetration there is a 1, 28% increase in GDP.

• COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION: General access to information. Engaging with

citizens in rural areas in order to ascertain service delivery priorities and gain

feedback on governance is traditionally very difficult. Internet access allows for real-

time conversations and feedback via mobile phones.

• ONLINE EDUCATION: From teacher training, to early-childhood-development, to

distance learning, the Internet empowers learners to overcome local disadvantages

and enter the global economy.

• ONLINE HEALTHCARE: Attracting health workers to rural areas is difficult. The

Internet allows for rural citizens to connect with healthcare information and workers via

online applications, thereby bridging the healthcare digital divide.

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The context for all rural development and land reform policies is the 1996 Constitution

of post-apartheid South Africa. In this instance, the most pertinent sections of the

Constitution are 25, 26, 27 and 36.3 Strong emphasis is being placed on alignment of

the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Medium Term Strategic Framework

(MTSF). Chapter 6 of the NDP sets objectives and focus points to work towards:

1) Agriculture

2) Making Land Reform work

3) Developing non-agricultural activities

4) Human capital, social security, food security and basic services

5) Rural towns

6) Rural governance

7) Farm-worker empowerment and labour relations

8) Inclusive rural development by 20304

RURAL REFORM INITIATIVES FOCUSED ON THE YOUTH

As part of the National Development Youth Strategy, a specific response for rural

youth was developed within the principles of the Comprehensive Rural Development

Programme (CRDP). It is envisaged that job creation and skills development for the

youth in the rural areas will ultimately have a positive impact on the future of

development and sustainability of the rural areas. This initiative is called “National

Rural Youth Service Corps” (NARYSEC).5

Two of the main objectives of the NARYSEC is to train the youth through specifically

developed programmes linked to community needs in rural areas and to develop the

youth with multi-disciplinary skills through civic education. Free WiFi can increase

education and skills development. The youth of a country is very important for

sustainability of the country with regards to its resources, skills capacity and 3 Policy for the Recapitalisation and Development Programme of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. 2013:6. 4 National Development Plan: An integrated and Include Rural economy. Chapter 6:219-234. 5 Department of Rural and Land Reform: Rural Development Framework. 2013:19.

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competitiveness in the market. Therefore, educating the youth should be an

investment that governments should not contest. By learning through the Internet,

students can communicate with one another, broaden their knowledge and educate

themselves on topics that they find interesting.

Methods of educating the youth have drastically changed over time. The “old”

language-based literacy and numeracy skills have now been joined by the “new”

visual, spatial and analytical skills of the digital age.6 Education can no longer be

isolated from the Internet and therefore, free WiFi could support students in rural

areas to be part of the future movement. By creating a learning culture through social

media, applications and games, students will soon be motivated to strive toward self-

improvement and help others to access education.

6 World Youth Report. 2003:41.

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STRATEGIC GOALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM

7 Department of Rural and Land Reform Strategic Plan 2015-2020. 2015:25.

Strategic

Goal

Description Goal Statement

1 Corporate governance and

service excellence

Foster corporate governance and service excellence

through compliance with the legal framework

2

Improve land administration

for integrated and

sustainable growth and

development

Improve land administration and spatial planning for

integrated sustainable growth and development with a

bias towards rural areas

3

Promote equitable access to

and sustainable use of land

for development

An inclusive and equitable land dispensation with

transformed patterns of land tenure and use

4 Promote sustainable rural

livelihoods

Improve rural livelihoods as a result of capabilities,

income and job opportunities provided

5 Improve access to services Improve access to services in rural areas through the

coordination of quality infrastructure

6 Sustainable rural enterprises

and industries

Promote economically, socially and environmentally

viable rural enterprises and industries

7 Restore Land rights Restoration of land rights or equitable redress to those

dispossessed of rights in land as a result of past racially

discriminatory laws or practices, and solicitation and

receipt of new claims for restitution of land rights by 31

December 2018.7

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HOW WILL FREE WIFI ADRESS THE RDLR STRATEGIC GOALS?

Programme 1: Administration Strategic objectives 1.1-1.5, as well as Risk Management:

The risks that the department is currently facing include weak and fragmented ICT

environment and infrastructure, lack of alignment between business operating models,

organisational structure and strategic objectives, fraud and corruption, failure to

maintain vacancy rate and inability to achieve a clean audit.8

1. By introducing free WiFi, the ICT system can significantly update their

infrastructure by running regular updates, make use of online programmes that

support their systems and have an anti-virus programme to avoid the risk of

losing data. This will also address the problems of fraud and corruption as this

can be regulated through proper ICT services, password verification and secure

online databases.

2. Often employees need to resign from their positions due to family

commitments, time-consuming travelling to and from the office or other factors,

such as tension between colleagues. By introducing Free WiFi, employees can

now work from home, have more flexible hours and save time by not travelling

and being caught up in the traffic.

3. With free WiFi, the alignment between businesses could be improved by setting

up a network for colleagues to communicate, share information and resources

and keep up to date with changes in policies. This will increase the

effectiveness of achieving the strategic objectives by avoiding duplication and

by sharing knowledge and learning from one another.


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Programme 2: National Geomatics Management Services Strategic Objectives 2.1-2.3, as well as Risk Management:

As part of Strategic objective 2.3, there is a need for a modernised Cadastre solution.

The justification of the goal is that the solution will provide improved security of tenure,

which is responsive to the needs of the people and the demands of the times, whilst

ensuring efficient customer service to a broader client base.9 With free WiFi, the

option of community access can be addressed. By logging in with personal details, a

community member can view the progress of an enquiry that has been made or a

claim they filed. This will serve the community in an efficient way by helping them to

save travel costs in finding a department, avoid long queues and ensure secure record

keeping.

Programme 3: Rural Development Strategic Objectives 3.1-3.4, as well as Risk Management:

Free WiFi deployments in rural areas immediately empowers citizens and assists

those that are most vulnerable in the ways described in the overview. Telecoms

infrastructure is a cornerstone of a foundation to address economic inequality, and

free WiFi is the most viable means of bringing Internet to rural areas.

Free WiFi stimulates local economic activity, allowing local entrepreneurs to sell goods

online. The World Bank estimates that for every 10% of broadband penetration there

is a 1, 28% increase in GDP. Furthermore, businesses are attracted to locations with

fast broadband speeds.

Distance learning programs can be accessed online, allowing learners to up-skill

without requiring geographic relocation and concomitant costs. Free WiFi allows the

unemployed to search and apply for jobs via online marketplaces such as Gumtree.


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Programme 4: Restitution Strategic Objective 4.1, as well as Risk Management

The purpose of this programme is to settle land restitution claims under the Restitution

of Land Rights Act (1994) and provide settlement support to beneficiaries. Within the

risk management analysis, reputational risk linked to delays in settlement of claims

have been identified. The mitigation plan is to ensure statutory commission meetings

to be held with formal and widespread communication aim, including media as well as

release of quarterly statistics.10 By adding information on the RDLR’s website,

community members will be able to access the information by making use of free

WiFi. E-mailing is an effective way to send out newsletters and notices to inform

people of meetings and update them on any progress made.

Programme 5: Land Reform Strategic Objectives 5.1-5.3, as well as Risk Management

As part of strategic objective 5.2, to provide comprehensive farm development

support, free WiFi will ensure the farmer has access to limitless information regarding

agriculture farming methods in order to start farming on a land, to grow their business

as a smallholder farmer and to transform the land they own. Other business skills such

as management, strategic planning, financial aspects, record keeping of stock and

other important skills that are necessary to start up farming will be available. The

department of Rural Development and Land Reform could also provide online training,

consultations via skype and any other assistance needed via the use of online

platforms.

Farmers can set up a network amongst themselves to support each other through

challenges such as floods, draughts and market related difficulties. This will assist

them in learning from one another by discussing their issues, giving advice, and most

importantly, learning from one another.


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Project Isizwe, a Non-Profit Organisation came up with an innovative solution to offer

free WiFi as a basic service which will allow for the Internet access embarked on by

the three spheres of government. Project Isizwe and its approach to facilitate the

establishment of Free Internet Zones is detailed in the accompanying information. A

partnership with Isizwe will result in increased levels of connectivity, affordable WiFi

and the envisaged outcomes of achieving the strategic goals of the Department of

Rural Development and Land Reform.

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