Technological Advancement is high on Politicians’ agenda

Internet connectivity and Digital technology is on the rise. According to Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gunguebla, internet connectivity and penetration has improved greatly.¹ According to the Minister, Internet Connectivity and penetration has improved from a mere 20.1 % in 2011 to a staggering 70% in 2022, elevating citizens in a rapid changing world that is driven by digital technologies.² The improvement is due to work being done through the SA Connect broadband connectivity project, which is dedicated to bridge the digital divide by providing Wi-Fi access to communities and ensuring universal access to the internet.³ Phase 2 of the SA Connect project was launched by government last year with the aim to provide core and access network infrastructure to enable broadband connectivity to community Wi-Fi hotspots that will connect households.^{4 (South Africa Government New Agency)}

As the power grid expands more households will become included in the wi-fi cloud. The whole internet is structured like a web, connecting every one that has access to the web.  The web links us through E-mails, pod casts, news and art media. It improves the ability to communicate over long distances. The connectivity of the internet is essential for sharing information and is about keeping in touch with everyone and everything that occurs in the world. The improvement and advancement of technology in South Africa is the responsibility of the department of Communications and Digital Technologies.

It has to work with the departments of Basic Education and Higher Education and training to educate the younger generations about the responsibilities for accessing the digital network. The goal of this project should be to create awareness concerning the digital age.

With government having freed spectrum of above 700MHz for use by mobile operators, that spectrum will connect public institutions and deploy 4G and 5G technology throughout the country.⁵ The availability of spectrum paves the way for affordable, high-speed internet access for all.⁶ “Working with the private sector thus far all eight metros have been connected to fibre, and we are expanding to more Towns.⁷ We have as part of our implementation of the recommendations of the presidential commission on Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), embarked on several digital infrastructure projects to ensure transformation through access in a changing world,” the Minister said.^{8 (South Africa Government New Agency)}

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is mainly about the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics to everyday life as well as renewable energy. Now it concerns AI being co-opted into the internet as a processor and coordinator of information with an independent mindset. Is this a good idea? Will it be able to lift thousands out of poverty through linking and sharing data? If educating the masses is made a priority here than yes. Whether the 4IR will be able to enhance the prospects of the unemployed finding jobs or not will depend on how the AI and integration of Wi-Fi is managed.

The increased integration of the digitalised can also lead to the centralization of power. This is therefore open to abuse. Meanwhile the African National Congress (ANC) has released its manifesto which includes some interesting information pertaining to the Fourth Industrial Revolution:^{9 (ITWEB)}

 In its 2024 elections manifesto, the ANC says it aims to expand skills development programmes in emerging fields, like data analytics and AI. It also aims to leverage new technologies, like telemedicine and AI in healthcare.¹⁰ The party says it will: “Increase research and development spending and prioritise areas like industrialisation, climate change and technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, blockchain, artificial intelligence and the internet of things.¹¹ “Over the next five years, the ANC will ensure greater accountability and prevent corruption through rigorous lifestyle audits and improved vetting procedures, real-time audits of critical projects, using AI to improve accountability and transparency, and strengthen discipline management.”^{12 (ITWEB)}

The ANC says it will prioritise green technologies, energy-efficiency, waste management, climate-smart agriculture and infrastructure, and eco-friendly production processes to ensure long-term sustainability.¹³ This includes developing and executing a plan to become a world player in green hydrogen, battery and electric vehicle production.^{14 (ITWEB)}

So now the ANC’s National Executive Committee is focusing on educating its lower ranking members and supporters about the Fourth Industrial Revolution. They are moving to enforce it in all its forms. A large part of that implementation is to do with cooperation with the private sector. This is because full implementation and enforcement of Artificial intelligence, virtual reality and research into telemedicine requires money – finances. The private sector knows how to make money. Ordinary voters and people should be weary when politicians call for funding into research for augmented and virtual reality, as well as robotics and super computers. Their true nature is still a mystery.

 Encouraging research and expansion into renewable energy such as solar and wind is one matter and a good thing for South Africa. However, we have to learn to be more responsible towards the environment and ensure the technologies we use don’t lead to a new kind of pollution. Its all a matter of who can implement the policies right.