Launch of Broadband and Digital Skills Programme Boosts Limpopo's Smart Community Potential

In a groundbreaking move to enhance the digital competence of local government officials, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) unveiled its Broadband and Digital Skills for Municipalities Programme in Polokwane, Limpopo Province. This innovative initiative is set to infuse municipal leaders with the essential skills required to engage in today's increasingly digitized world, translating into improved service delivery and economic expansion within their communities.

Minister Solly Malatsi emphasized the critical timing of this venture, expressing that equipping councillors with modern digital capabilities is a key strategy for harnessing technology to serve the public effectively and drive economic development. The inaugural event gathered municipal authorities and digital experts from across Limpopo to collaborate and advance common goals, boasting a partnership between DCDT, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), and the British High Commission. Linked to the UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) Fund, the collaboration underscores an international commitment to fostering digital connectivity and proficiency.

The programme's objectives align with the need for comprehensive broadband infrastructure deployment, specifically designed to include even the most digitally remote or overlooked populations. As highlighted by Minister Malatsi, embedding these competencies in public representatives, and notably councillors, will vastly improve their operational efficiency. Their enhanced ability to address service delivery inquiries swiftly, make well-informed council decisions, and remain accessible to residents, is anticipated to transform public engagement and satisfaction levels.

Reflecting the spirit of inclusive progression, this endeavor aims to gradually extend its reach to all provinces in South Africa, supported by the synergies among DCDT, SALGA, and the British High Commission. The UK's High Commissioner Antony Phillipson reinforced the UK’s dedication to digital inclusion and its transformative implications for economic and social development, ensuring parallel advancement across various levels of South African governance.

The launch paves the way for a two-day intensive training for councillors, which is part of a continuous developmental scheme designed to elevate service provision standards. Ongoing education is central to achieving sustainable growth and equipping municipalities for the digital economic landscape.