Project Isizwe has partnered with the Western Cape government's Department of Economic Development and Tourism in South Africa to roll-out free Wi-Fi to open public spaces in key hubs in that province.

Non-profit organisation Project Isizwe seeks to bring internet access to Africans by facilitating the roll-out of free Wi-Fi in public spaces in low-income areas.

According to a press statement this is the first provinicial free Wi-Fi project in the country, and forms part of the Western Cape’s R1.3 billion plan to connect all residents to broadband.

“Through this pilot 90,000 people in four spaces in the Western Cape are going to be connected to the internet,” said finance, economic development and tourism minister Alan Winde.

“The top NPO’s were selected based on the strength of their proposals and which models would reach the most residents. The aim of this project is to see which models work best, so we can replicate this across the Western Cape.

“Eventually, every resident must have access to free or affordable internet,” said Winde.

Project Isizwe, which successfully delivered free Wi-Fi to five sites in Tshwane in November last year, was chosen as one of three non-profit organisations to deliver free Wi-Fi zones in the identified areas.

“The internet is a primary tool of empowerment; it helps people find jobs, learn and become socially included” said Project Isizwe CEO Alan Knott-Craig.