‘Faster, Cheaper Internet for All’

Statement by Tsholofelo Bodlani MP – DA Spokesperson on Communications & Digital Technology:

Minister Solly Malatsi has announced that he is delivering on his promise to make internet access in South Africa faster and cheaper for all people, and the DA proudly welcomes this.

In his Budget Speech, tabling the Department of Communications & Digital Technologies plan for the coming year, Malatsi has announced plans for legislative amendments that will allow investment in telecoms infrastructure, with equity equivalents.

The Minister’s implementation of equity equivalents removes the barrier to investment that has kept South African internet expensive and kept it out of rural and poorer communities. This is the boldest move in telecoms expansion South Africa has seen in decades. Communications & Digital Technologies has been without legislative reforms for almost twenty years

Minister Malatsi’s review of the Department’s governing laws and policies, working with experts and the industry, has paid off. Under the DA, an Amendment Bill is before Parliament to bring the Department into the modern day.

Malatsi’s drive for modernisation also sees more private sector players leverage state-owned assets to deliver services, driving down prices and getting more South Africans connected to the internet. This is a courageous step in the right direction.

Technological breakthroughs are supported by cleaning up the Department too, and the DA supports the announcement by Malatsi that he is introducing measures to conduct lifestyle audits for the executive and board leadership across his Department’s entities.

The DA sees Minister Malatsi’s Department plan and budget as one that finally makes access to the internet a priority for poor South Africans in rural areas, those who need it the most to get jobs and provide for their families.

The DA supports this budget, from Minister Malatsi, and we see it as a game-changer moment for South Africa’s internet access.