The Democratic Alliance (DA) in uMkhanyakude District welcomes the bold move by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) MEC of Public Works and Infrastructure, the DA’s Martin Meyer for the innovative partnership with MTN, which will bring much-needed mobile connectivity infrastructure to rural communities.
Land at Igugu Lesizwe Secondary School in Jozini that was officially handed over last Friday, is one of eight strategic sites earmarked for cellphone tower development. This marks a turning point for rural access to digital services in KZN.
We commend the MEC for ensuring that underutilised public land assets are being repurposed to unlock socio-economic value, improve access to emergency services and enable internet connectivity for communities who have long been left behind.
This initiative exemplifies what is possible when public leadership and private sector innovation come together in the public interest.
We applaud the department’s foresight in negotiating with the National Department of Public Works for an additional 12 sites, with the potential to bring the total to 20 new towers, a game-changing intervention in a district where connectivity gaps have had real human costs.
Connectivity is no longer a luxury; it is a lifeline. This is governance that works and leadership worth celebrating.
The DA calls on all stakeholders – public, private and community – to work together in bridging the digital divide in South Africa’s most underserved regions.