The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) commended the ruling of the Competition Commission of South Africa on data price costs.
The report captured the aspirations of youth and advances the right of access to information.
In the 2018/2019 financial year, NYDA launched full-service branches and district offices that are fully equipped with Wi-Fi hotspots to assist young people with their day to day Internet needs, according to the National Youth Development Agency
Executive chairperson of the NYDA, Sifiso Mtsweni said, “Amongst the many calls the NYDA has been advocating for includes the reduction of data cost; data costs also have an adverse effect on young entrepreneurs and job seekers who rely on the Internet to explore opportunities that will better their lives.”
The NYDA added that research estimated that almost 3.3 billion people globally own smartphones, and more than 22 million people in South Africa use a smartphone which accounts for about a third of the country’s population. “During the inaugural Jobs Summit, we called for ‘breaking down barriers of entry into the job market which include enabling broadband access through lowering data costs, as massive data costs are a hindrance for young jobseekers’ “.
“Access to the Internet is indeed a human right and a right that young people should enjoy without reaching deep into their pockets. We urge all stakeholders to work together in ensuring implementation of the Data Services Commission Market Inquiry Report, in advancing youth development,” said Mtsweni.
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