Ekurhuleni in Broadband drive

The city of Ekurhuleni has prioritized projects to connect all the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) buildings with broadband connectivity and free internet access for the community at various libraries is available and will be improved upon.

Lebogang Ramashala, Acting Spokesperson for  City  of  Ekurhuleni says  creating  internet  zones   to the  public will encourage  economic development   for  previously  disadvantaged. This  Ramashala says will  reduce the travelling  times  for residents  to various  city offices  as they  can do  electronic queries  for  example.

According to Ramashala  the Digital City programme focuses on creating a connected city as well as greatly enhanced engagement with citizens. The EMM’s ICT Department developed a master systems plan to create functionality that will enable all service departments to increase customer service.  “We are also supporting all initiatives from the various departments that are implementing a range of functionality and technologies to increase service delivery”, says Ramashala

The city also notes that applications changes have resulted in the creation of a citizen engagement portal (e-Siyakoka), establishment of the Indigent programme as well as the enablement of the interim Unified Command Centre (which facilitates customer interaction and enhanced responsiveness).

E-government has been hailed as steps to the right direction and the city says it has created a citizen engagement framework which it will be expanding on in the next year as a function of the master Systems Plan rollout. “Yes, it is a key part of the digital city programme to create a connected city. The EMM Broadband vision is articulated in the EMM Digital City strategy which is also aligned with the SA Broadband policy”.