The Smart Cape Access Project was launched by the City of Cape Town in 2002, in line with the City’s e-governance strategy. The project aims to firstly provide residents with access to computers and the Internet, to develop their skills so that they can effectively use the technology, and to provide online information that is relevant and useful to the local users.
A public access point was opened Wednesday in the foyer of the 44 Wale Street building.
Five computers have been installed which can be used by anyone for up to forty-five minutes per day.
Read more: South Africa: Cape Residents to Get Free Internet Access
The trick is to balance profit and results.
Anyone who has spent hours waiting in a queue in a government building can appreciate the difference that technology could make to their lives.
Read more: South Africa: ICT is the mainframe of a better life for all
Mjwara said government realises information and telecommunications technology are essential agents in generating economic growth “and, therefore, creating jobs, fostering social development and improving the quality of life”.
Imagine the incredible distances travelled and intense discomfort suffered by a senior citizen queuing for hours for their pension, the frustrations of youngsters trying to secure bookings for their driver’s licence tests, the traveller who spends hours or even days between departments for an emergency passport, the recuperating patient living in a rural area who has no link to his health care provider...