Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Friday, 7 July 2017 visit the Amathole and OR Tambo Districts of the Eastern Cape Province to participate in the 20th Anniversary Celebrations of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders in Bhisho, and the official launch of a broadband roll-out project in Tsolo near Mthatha.
 
The House of Traditional Leaders was established in 1996, to develop effective and efficient traditional leadership institutions that put the interest of the people first. It also exists to strengthen service delivery to rural communities including the preservation of traditional norms, heritage and cultural practices in the Eastern Cape.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will address the 20th Anniversary Celebrations which will be attended by various guests and dignitaries including members of the National House of Traditional Leaders, Kings and Queens, Mayors, representatives from the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) and delegates from business and civil society.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will be supported by the Deputy Minister of COGTA Obed Bapela, Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle, and members of the Executive Council.

The details of the event are as follows:

Date: 07 July 2017                                              
Venue: Bhisho Stadium                                  
Time: 09h00

 
For enquiries and accreditation please contact Terrence Manase on 082 338 6707 or Welile Jack on 082 559 6183


B: Launch of the Connectivity Programme in the OR Tambo District 

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will proceed from Bhisho to Tsolo in the OR Tambo District, Mhlontlo Local Municipality for the launch of the broadband project at the Ntuli Secondary School.
 
Government has prioritised the provision of affordable broadband services to rural communities as one of the ways in which the ICT sector can contribute to reigniting the economy. In this regard, government also seeks to provide equitable access to the developmental power of the internet to all citizens of our country.

The project is spearheaded by the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa and which has already connected 295 schools, clinics and communities to the internet through WiFi in the King Sabata Dalindyebo and Mhlontlo municipalities.

Further effort will be put into connectivity across the local municipalities of King Sabata Dalindyebo and Mhlontlo including Traditional Council offices.
 
The rollout is complemented by a training programme on basic ICT skills. The first phase of the training programme focuses on training teachers, who in turn will train other teachers and learners.

Details of the launch as follows:

Date: Friday, 07 July 2017
Venue: Reuben Ntuli High School, Tsolo, Mhlontlo Local Municipality (near Mthatha) 
Time: 12h00
 

For enquiries and accreditation please contact Sam Bopape on 082 318 5251 or Siya Qoza on 082 898 1657

For comments please contact, Tyrone Seale on 083 575 7440 

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria