16 November 2007

CAPETONIANS who do not own computers or who cannot afford internet café fees can now access both - free of charge - thanks to the City of Cape Town's expanded Smart Cape Access Project.

A public access point has been opened in the foyer of the 44 Wale Street building. Five computers have been installed which can be used by anyone for up to forty-five minutes per day.

The computers can be used to surf the internet and every user gets a free e-mail account.

"Since we launched the Smart Cape Access Project in 2002, over one hundred thousand people have made use of the computers installed in Cape Town's public libraries" said Nirvesh Sooful, the City's Chief Information Officer.

"This is our first move to expand computer access to other public buildings, so that more people can gain experience of computer use. We hope that workers and residents in Cape Town's CBD will find this new facility useful".

The City's e-governance strategy is built around three activities: giving people access to computers, helping them develop the skills to use them, and providing on-line information that is useful and relevant to local people.

"Our Library Access Points and Digital Business Centres are still only reaching a small proportion of the residents of our city," says Sooful.

If people are to get computer experience - which is a vital skill for employment in the modern economy - then we need to build more facilities like this one."

The computers highlight websites that feature local businesses and communities.

The 44 Wale Street building - in the heart of the Cape Town CBD, opposite the Provincial Government buildings on the corner of Long Street - housed the offices of the former Cape Metropolitan Council. The building is now used by departments of the City administration.

The foyer area has been converted into a large public space with information and displays covering a range of City services, as well as the Smart Cape computers.

The Access Point will initially be open Monday - Friday from 09:00 through to 16:00.

Source: capetown.gov.za