Right2Know Campaign

R2K welcomes Zenzeleni Networks: Community owned telecommunications

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Join us for the launch of Zenzeleni Networks  (Zenzeleni.net) on Wednesday 23rd September 2015 at the University of the Western Cape Library Auditorium.  The event consists of a research reportback, screening of the video documentary, and presentation of a booklet and website. Refreshments are served, all welcome.

Zenzeleni.net (meaning Do It for Yourselves) builds on the success of Zenzeleni Networks Mankosi, a village co-operative that came together to build and maintain its own telecommunications network and offer affordable communications to the people.

The initiative is the result of a partnership between the Mankosi community, in one of the most disadvantaged areas of the Eastern Cape, and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) that aims to create a model for the sustainable implementation of bottom-up local telcos in rural communities in South Africa to reduce the cost of communications. The proof of concept is running in Mankosi since 2012.

  • DATE: Wednesday 23rd September 2015
  • TIME: 12h15 – 15h45
  • VENUE: University of the Western Cape, Library Auditorium

Launch Programme 

12:15 – 13:45 Presentations of Research Outputs from the UWC team

12:15 – 12:20 Welcome and introduction Prof. W.D. Tucker and Prof. Blignaut
12:20 – 12:35 Zenzeleni Networks Documentary Screening
12:35 – 12:45 Acceptability of local telcos in rural South Africa Carlos Rey-Moreno, Computer Science Dept.
12:45 – 12:55 Quantitative impact on expenditure and communications patters Tafadzwa Mandava, Statistics Dept.
12:55 – 13:05 Impact on youth enrolment to Higher Education Institutions Lwando Mdleleni, Institute for Social Development
13:05 – 13:15 Gender Dynamics Tigist S. Hussen, Gender Studies Dept.
13:15 – 13:40 Panel and Q & A All
13:40 – 13:45 Concluding remarks Prof. May

 13:45 – 14: 15 – Tea Break

14: 15 – 15:45 – Present and future of Zenzeleni Networks outside academia

14:15 – 14:25 Introduction to Zenzeleni Networks Mankosi experience Masbulele Siya, Zenzeleni Networks Mankosi
14:25 – 14:40 Zenzeleni Networks Documentary Screening
14:40 – 15:15 Website and Booklet Launch Michael Graaf (R2K Campaign), Dominic Cull (ERS)
15:15 – 15:25 A look into the Future Sipelo Lupondwana/Ellen Fischat, SEDA ICT Incubator
15:25 – 15:40 Open discussion
15:40 – 15:45 Closing Mark Weinberg, National Coordinator R2K Campaign

 

 

15:45 – 17:00 – Networking and refreshments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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