Telecoms tower company IHS South Africa announced on Thursday it has kicked off an initiative with non-profit organization Project Isizwe in KwaMashu, Durban to provide free, uncapped public Wi-Fi for local residents, students, job seekers and entrepreneurs.
IHS South Africa said the initiative is intended to promote education, create job opportunities and support community development by narrowing the digital divide in a country where roughly 21% of the population still lack internet access, youth unemployment stands at 60%, and small businesses often have limited access to affordable digital tools.
“This initiative is not just about providing internet – it’s about empowering a community with essential resources for education, economic growth, and comprehensive digital inclusion,” said IHS South Africa CEO Sandile Msimango in a statement.
The initiative with Project Isizwe is also designed to develop digital skillsets for youth in KwaMashu. Just prior to the public Wi-Fi launch, IHS South Africa’s partner Social Coding conducted a five-day training program for ten local unemployed youths to learn various skills relating to virtual reality technologies, mobile applications, exhibition management techniques, effective communication, customer service, and technical troubleshooting.
Following that event, digital engagement will shift to local primary schools, featuring a specialized robotics showcase for younger audiences, Msimango said.
“Beyond facilitating connectivity, we also need to provide young people with new opportunities to acquire digital skills so that they can serve as technology ambassadors for their communities,” he said.
Founded in 2013, Project Isizwe partners with funders, government, and ISPs to deploy public Wi-Fi hotspots in low-income areas, enabling equitable access to education, information, and economic opportunities. Project Isizwe says it has connected millions of South Africans to reliable Wi-Fi.
