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Narrowing the digital divide: Available and affordable internet access for all South Africans
September 18, 2020 @ 12:00 - 14:30
A webinar hosted by Nedbank, EE Business Intelligence and JCSE, Wits University.
This event is endorsed by the IITPSA.
Nedbank, in association with EE Business Intelligence and the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) at Wits University are hosting a webinar on narrowing the digital divide to provide available and affordable Internet access for all South Africans.
Moderated by: Thabang Chiloane, Executive Head: Group Strategic Relations and Public Affairs; and Prof. Barry Dwolatzky, founder of the Joburg Centre for Software Engineering (JCSE) and the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct of Wits University.
DATE: Friday 18 September 2020
TIME: 12h00 to 14h30
COST: No cost, free-of-charge
Register to attend the webinar free-of-charge here
Introduction
While South Africa tops the “PWC Africa Connectivity Index” it still lags behind most of its international peers. Within South Africa, access to fast and affordable Internet connectivity is highly unequal. The “digital divide” has been brought into sharp focus during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this webinar our panel of experts will present some current statistics relating to Internet connectivity, so as to develop an up-to-date understanding of how the Internet is being used in South Africa. The constraints and major bottlenecks that inhibit higher Internet penetration in South Africa will be explored. These include the cost of mobile data, appropriate levels of digital literacy, speed and quality of service, and others. Practical solutions, with an emphasis on the role of Corporate South Africa, will be presented.
This is the second of a series of six webinars this financial year intended to initiate a constructive dialogue on critical energy and ICT solutions needed to unlock the human and economic potential of South Africa. Further webinars in the series will be announced shortly.
Presenters
The presenters at the webinar will each give high-level presentations on various important aspects of Internet access in South Africa, as follows:
· Arthur Goldstuck, MD of World Wide WorX
· Dr. Lucienne Abrahams, director, Wits University’s LINK Centre
· Mark Harris, CEO of Altron Nexus
· Lance Williams, executive responsible for Provincial and Local Consulting at the State IT Agency (SITA)
Programme
12h00 to 12h10: Introduction
12h10 to 12h30: Presentation by Arthur Goldstuck, World Wide WorX
12h30 to 12h50: Presentation by Dr. Lucienne Abrahams, LINK Centre, Wits University
12h50 to 13h10: Presentation by Mark Harris, Altron Nexus
13h10 to 13h30: Presentation by Lance Williams, State IT Agency (SITA)
13h30 to 13h40: Comfort break
13h40 to 14h25: Q & A and discussion
14h20 to 14h30: Thanks and closure
Register to attend the webinar free-of-charge here
