Communities want digital equity

As parliament ponders rolling out free Wi-Fi in public spaces, community members in several regions visited by the parliamentary standing committee on information, technology and innovation stressed the need for equitable distribution of digital services, with many remaining hopeful that free Wi-Fi will address digital exclusion in rural areas.These sentiments were expressed by residents in the ||Karas, Erongo, Kunene, Omusati, Oshana and Otjozondjupa regions during the public hearings on free Wi-Fi in public places, towns, public transport, and schools.Community members and stakeholders noted that it is often low-income communities that are left behind when it comes to information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure development.A boost for tourism, educationThe motion of free Wi-Fi has, however, been met with mixed reactions, notably from some service providers such as Telecom, who question the infrastructures and the control mechanisms needed when considering the implementation of free Wi-Fi."Free Wi-Fi is a good thing but can cause a lot of damage, so there is a need for user education and proper planning," said Eicka Thys, a teacher at Tamariskia Primary School in Swakopmund.“The world is moving into a digital era and the Fourth Industrial Revolution; we therefore need to prepare ourselves, otherwise we will be left behind," stressed Erongo Governor, Neville Andre, during the standing committee&#039;s call to his office.Andre noted that the region will benefit from free Wi-Fi, particularly in the education and tourism sectors."The travel and tourism sector is particularly well-placed to reap the rewards because the internet can enable further automation and a greater customer experience, especially for visitors. Let&#039;s not get left behind," he said."The good message in all of this is good connectivity and inclusivity for all as we move into digital inclusivity and access to information," stressed the ICT standing committee chairperson, Modestus Amutse.EmpoweringVillagers living in Koës, which is situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert in the ||Karas Region, are embracing ICT through a Wi-Fi connection at a local school.Kaonde Kabuku, a teacher, said advances in technology and the availability of ICT are enabling dramatic changes in education content, delivery, and accessibility."We have Wi-Fi at our school, but connectivity has been a challenge as the whole school connects to it. The internet has been a useful technology in our community that helps us not only in our daily lives but also in our professional lives for educational purposes. As educators, we have been using the internet to gather information, do research, or add to our knowledge of various subjects," Abel Tjituaiza, a principal, said.

Communities want digital equity

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Communities want digital equity

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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