Admin
31 Jan, 2020
Postponement of lower data prices is a justice denied
The UDM Youth Vanguard is in awe at the extension of the deadline that was initially two months for network operators to reduce data costs. If these network operators were interested in reducing data, they could have done so within the timeframe the Competition Commission had set. Calls for reduction of data prices were not a new thing when the Commission tabled their report in December,2019. This clarion call has been around for years. In the previous State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa promised that data will fall, yet it remained relatively high as network operators did not take him seriously. The Competition Commission should have strengthened their hand instead of eating from the palm of the corporations and enforced them to adhere to the deadlines, failing to do so harsh punishments should be instituted instead the Commission has extended the deadline by a month. This is unacceptable as South Africans have waited for far too long. Actions should have been taken long-time ago to enforce these so-called giants network operators to drop these high data prices. The UDMYV is not happy at all. This is yet another failed promise to desperate people who rely on usage of data. Affordable data prices are not negotiable but a must! Issued by: Masonwabe Nqawe UDM YOUTH VANGUARD WESTERN CAPE
Admin
11 Dec, 2019
Access to the internet is a human right!
The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard welcomes the Competition Commission call for the South African mobile operator giants Vodacom and MTN to reduce their data charges by 30% to 50% within two months. This has been a call that the UDMYV has made for quite some time, calling for data to fall and allow young people to access jobs, business opportunities, studying purposes, social safety awarenesses and other miscellaneous itinerary. It is unacceptable and business unreasonable to have South African originating mobile network operators selling data at a lower cost in the neighbouring countries than at home. Our local data costs are significantly high consistently marginalizing the unemployed, low income and poverty-stricken young people. Internet allows for more sustainable development and economic participation and if South Africa is serious about growing an all-inclusive economy, now it is the time to walk the talk. Access to Internet is a basic Human Right equivalent and in line with 2.8 Freedom of Expression, 2.14 Freedom of Trade, Occupation and Profession, 2.21 Education, 2.24 Access to Information, etc. Access to Internet means e-commerce, e-business/ e-trading, e-marketing, e-health, e-learning & e-training, e-government, etc and citizens, especially, youth are currently held on captive with the high data tariffs. As a United Nations’ member state, an attendee and participant of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), and an adopter of A Call to Action of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 looking at Connecting Africa through World-Class Infrastructure with specific reference to ICT, South Africa is infrastructural and technically behind its promise. The UDMYV calls on Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Minister Ebrahim Patel and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to carry on expedite plans to release more spectrum to allow the industry to grow and be competitive in the world that is fast changing and heading towards the popular Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). They must give specific timeframe on the issue of the spectrum as to when will it be released and all other related details putting her confidence to the public. Also as she claims to be a pioneer behind the 4IR, Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams should have paved a better foundation first by ensuring that a high speed broad-banded and low to free internet society with cyber-security in place is created. The sooner this is done the lesser we will hear stories from services providers of less spectrum. We commend the Competition Commission on this move and hope that this will be extended to all the network providers not just MTN and Vodacom to comply and reduce data without compromising its speed. — End — Issued by: Mr Masonwabe Nqawe UDM Youth Vanguard Western Cape
Admin
19 Jun, 2019
Youth expectations for SONA: #DataMustFall
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s expected state of the nation address (SONA), must be solution orientated with a clear plan and time frames for its implementation. We as young people, and as the majority of the population, need things to happen and happen fast. We cannot have another rehash of old promises that raise our hopes with every SONA, only to be disappointed. We are expecting to hear more from the president in terms of job creation and strengthening the economy with youth participation in particular. The United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard has been consistent in its call that young South Africans must become wealth creators. It is therefore incumbent on government to create an economic environment that fosters entrepreneurship. We however wish to raise one significant point, which we hope that President Ramaphosa will touch on. We are of the view that exorbitant data charges need his immediate attention. To be youth inclusive we need a government that is serious about creating opportunities for young people in this digital era. Data must completely fall as it hampers learners’ studies, fetters youth looking for jobs and their registration of small businesses, etc.. Young South Africans must stand up and join us in this quest as we use the internet to access all opportunities. Issued by: Mr Yongama Zigebe Gauteng Provincial Secretary, UDM Youth Vanguard
