Alex to benefit from free internet access

The community of Alexandra will be one of the operational areas of the Afrika Tikkun non-governmental organisation to benefit from the provision of free Internet access.

This follows a decision by the Pan-African wholesale network service provider, Workonline Communications, which partnered with Afrika Tikkun to increase Internet access on the continent, particularly in disadvantaged communities, through its sponsorship of bandwidth to the various centres of Afrika Tikkun.

The free bandwidth will be rolled out across six Afrika Tikkun centres, including the Phuthaditjaba Centre in Alexandra, where slow Internet speeds have previously hampered the organisation’s developmental goals.

Afrika Tikkun is focused on developing young people ‘from cradle to career’ through a support model that focuses on education, holistic development, skills development and work placement. Other services include family support, primary healthcare, early childhood development, child and youth development, and nutrition and food support.

“The development of the communities in which we operate is very close to our hearts, and few factors can contribute to development as much as access to the Internet,” said Edward Lawrence, director of business development at Workonline Communications.

“Access to information [through access to the Internet] is undoubtedly one of the most important factors for the development of entrepreneurship, and thus the growth of the economies in which we operate. I would go as far as to say that access to the Internet should be considered a basic human right.

“As the leading wholesale Internet provider in South Africa, we’re committed to improving the quality of the Internet in Africa through the best solutions available. Our drive is to connect Africa to the world and the world to Africa, and this can only be done through strong partnerships, reliable infrastructure and highly-qualified, dedicated technical staff.”

Marc Lubner, chief executive officer of Afrika Tikkun and son of the late founder, Dr Bertie Lubner, added, “High-speed access to the Internet is increasingly becoming a vital part of everyday life and is virtually necessary for participation in the economy – it’s where you find opportunities to work, to develop skills and expand yourself. Without the access to worldwide connections and information, low-income families will be left even further behind.”