"Project Isizwe is a non-profit organisation that has been advocating for digital inclusion for six years now. We have a footprint in seven provinces across the country," explains Mkhwanazi.

More specifically, the NPO advocates for free internet access within walking distance of every citizen in low-income communities and has facilitated the deployment of the largest free public Wi-Fi network in Africa in the Tshwane Municipality of Gauteng.

Tshwane citizens save over R1bn through Project Isizwe

23 Jul 2017

To date, with Mkhwanazi’s support, the organisation has partnered with Glencore Mine in Emalahleni to connect the mining communities to free Wi-Fi. It also partnered with Aware.org.za using free internet access as an enabler for an anti-underage drinking intervention program for the community of Botshabelo in the Free State and in Maviljan in Bushbuckridge. And it continues to advocate for internet access for all South Africans as well as discovering the sustainability model for all subsidised free Wi-Fi projects in the country.

New CEO for Project Isizwe

1 Aug 2017

Dudu Mkhwanazi

What are you most looking forward to regarding speaking at this year’s IAB Summit?
The theme is exciting, ‘the new now’. I am looking forward to learning from the various talks that will be given at the Summit.

You’re going to be speaking about ‘the connected city' and what all the fuss with connectivity and the cost of data is about. What are you planning to share on the topic?
I plan to draw attention to the importance of bridging the digital divide and how it impacts our socio-economic growth as a country.

What do you hope delegates will take away from your talk?

That digital inclusion goes beyond the quantifiable investment, that the real investment is the impact it has on the lives of those connected for the first time.

Comment on the current state of digital transformation in your industry.

What does ‘the new now’ mean to you?
It means adapting, being innovative and scaling sustainably in this amazing new digital industry.

#IABSummit19: The new now

Jessica Tennant  18 Apr 2019

Book your ticket click here or to learn more about Dudu Mkhwanazi, the programme, event sponsors and the lineup of the day, visit the event website and remember, IAB members get a discount! The 5th Annual IAB Summit19 is brought to you by DStv Media, Accenture Interactive and partners: Newsclip, G-Star, Media 24, Tiso Black Star, Business Live, The South African, Spark Media, Adjoin, Social Lab and Bizcommunity.