logo
KZN launches plan to roll out 5G in rural areas

KZN launches plan to roll out 5G in rural areas

eNCA22-05-2025

DURBAN - The KwaZulu-Natal government is taking steps to bridge the digital divide by expanding 5G internet access to rural communities.
Premier Thami Ntuli says the Public-Private Partnership is aimed at boosting connectivity as part of a broader digital inclusion strategy.
READ | Discussing the analogue switch off with Minister of Communication and Digital
But, can it improve living standards, create jobs and strengthen emergency response capabilities in underserved areas? Reporter Nkosikhona Malinga-Mnisi has more.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

KZN launches plan to roll out 5G in rural areas
KZN launches plan to roll out 5G in rural areas

eNCA

time22-05-2025

  • eNCA

KZN launches plan to roll out 5G in rural areas

DURBAN - The KwaZulu-Natal government is taking steps to bridge the digital divide by expanding 5G internet access to rural communities. Premier Thami Ntuli says the Public-Private Partnership is aimed at boosting connectivity as part of a broader digital inclusion strategy. READ | Discussing the analogue switch off with Minister of Communication and Digital But, can it improve living standards, create jobs and strengthen emergency response capabilities in underserved areas? Reporter Nkosikhona Malinga-Mnisi has more.

KZN Premier Thami Ntuli calls for backing of Ithala SOC Limited amid banking uncertainties
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli calls for backing of Ithala SOC Limited amid banking uncertainties

IOL News

time16-05-2025

  • IOL News

KZN Premier Thami Ntuli calls for backing of Ithala SOC Limited amid banking uncertainties

KZN Premier Thami Ntuli defends Ithala's solvency, despite Treasury's pending R2 billion guarantee and legal uncertainties surrounding its status. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has called on provincial departments, municipalities, political parties, and businesses to demonstrate their support for Ithala SOC Limited by banking with the institution, but only once it obtains a full banking license. In an interview on Face the Nation, Ntuli clarified recent remarks he made encouraging public entities to transact with Ithala. He stressed that this support must only materialise "when it is fully registered" as a bank under the Banks Act, in line with Section 7.3 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), which prohibits municipalities from banking with unregistered institutions. The Premier's remarks come after the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruled that Ithala can continue operations while the Prudential Authority's application to liquidate it is underway. The ruling was seen as a reprieve for the institution, which has long operated under a ministerial exemption rather than a full banking license. Ntuli said the province is committed to ensuring Ithala becomes fully compliant, but he also believes the institution has been unfairly targeted. 'Unfortunately, the pass of a new act compelled that the issue of any bank has to, in fact, meet some compliant areas of which Ithala has met most of them,' he said. He also addressed public concern over the safety of deposits in Ithala, stating, 'We are giving assurance that the people's money is safe and they will get their money from Ithala. It has an excess of cash of more than R300 million.' Yet, questions remain about why the bank still requires a guarantee from National Treasury if it is indeed solvent. When asked, Ntuli acknowledged the complexity: 'It is too technical, maybe even for me,when you talk about the guarantee, you talk about something which is much more technical on the side of other aspects of the bank.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ National Treasury had earlier indicated it was working on a R2 billion guarantee for Ithala's depositors, contingent on a technical process that has yet to be finalised. Ntuli confirmed the KZN government had engaged Treasury on the guarantee: 'We engaged the Treasury so that we, in fact, appealed for the guarantee and we were in agreement, but we've seen a letter suggesting otherwise.' He emphasised Ithala's importance to the provincial economy.'This bank has 38 branches which are in rural communities and township communities, when we fail to preserve it, that will mean the people who are living in rural communities and in township, might be deprived of an opportunity of seeing their economy also growing.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL Politics

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store