The City of Tshwane has received international recognition for its connectivity by winning the World Wi-Fi Day Award for most innovative city or government programme to bridge the digital divide.

The award recognises cities, governments and organisations that develop local and national plans to bridge the digital divide. Shortlisted projects had to show evidence of the successful implementation of large-scale Wi-Fi solutions that innovatively overcome the challenges and complexities associated with their deployment.

The City of Tshwane, with Project Isizwe as the implementing partner, was shortlisted in this category alongside Intersection and Liquid Telecom, two internationally recognised providers in the deployment of Wi-Fi.

Spearheaded by Tshwane’s Executive Mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, Tshwane Free Wi-Fi has brought 1.8 million citizens in the capital city online in the biggest deployment of municipal free Wi-Fi on the African continent. The roll-out has been made possible through the city’s collaborative partnership with Project Isizwe.

Together, the City of Tshwane and Project Isizwe have built relationships and developed innovative and feasible financial and technical solutions to make the roll-out possible.

“Our free Wi-Fi project has radically addressed the adverse effects of unaffordable internet access by narrowing the existing glaring digital divide,” said Cllr Kgosientso Ramokgopa.

“We will continue to be a shining example of what it means to employ technology to lead the way towards a South Africa that is democratic, inclusive, united and prosperous – ours will be the global cyber capital,” said Ramokgopa.