Tech Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams Says SA to Build Phones & 5G Networks
- Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams says government aims to source more locally manufactured technology in the next few years
- She was speaking at this year's annual budget speech and had some positive news for the economy of South Africa
- Mzansi took to the comments section and shared their mixed reactions to the news with some doubting the endeavour will ever happen as promised
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Communications and Digital Technologies minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams hopes to source more locally manufactured tech products in the coming years. That's according to a recent article by TimesLive.
The minister was speaking at her annual budget speech on Tuesday, 18 May.
Ndabeni-Abrahams shared that amongst other products, the government would focus its attention on manufacturing cellphone products and their accessories, satellite and drone components and prioritising the set-up of 5G network expansion across the country.
Source: Getty Images
According to a previous article by BusinessTech, it's hoped these new and locally made products will contribute to job creation across the nation, especially given the recent pandemic.
Mzansi social media users had mixed reactions to the news and took to the comments section, sharing their thoughts. Many users took the time to criticise government spending on 5G expansion when most of Mzansi doesn't even have basic internet access.
Check out some of their comments below:
@koe_note said:
"...writing an impressive speech, raising hopes of those who are suffering/digital divide... no basic infrastructure or ICT illiterate... really 5G when most are still trying to understand 3G... when is all that going to reach villages... students are still struggling with....????"
@Dezanova45 said:
"And that's why we're having a 'third wave'... Allegedly."
@ZeeNdlovu6 said:
"I hope she knows what she's talking about."
@2ndMaepa said:
"4G is not even all over South Africa but this useless politician wanna jump to 5G."
@Anc21Voetsek said:
"That budget's not going to stretch very far...."
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Meanwhile, Briefly News previously reported that Abbas Jibrin was recently celebrated on social media over his automobile ingenuity when he was 21 years of age.
In a Twitter post by @OvieAli, Abbas had led a team of brainy engineers who designed and manufactured a weird-looking electric car in Turkey. The tweep shared an image of the Nigerian engineering genius along with some pictures of the car.
Some Nigerians bemoaned the level of brain-drain that is prevalent in the country, others wondered the idea behind the car's shape and style.
@_Captain_X_ wondered:
"What's the idea behind the funny shape all the time. As per cartoon."
@3rd_i_ remarked:
"Nice one, but why do electric cars always look this funny though?"
@almunawwara64 said:
"Nigerian Engineering genius... and not Muslim, Christian, Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba.... as par 'new world sentimentality reportage syndrome'. "Another good one by a Nigerian as usual."
@omoba007 stated:
''Tag Jelani.. He must see this. An employment opportunity should be offered to him at kona electric cars by Hyundai."
@AlaniOduntan commented:
"Don't mind them sir. They thought they have monopoly of invention and creativity in Nigeria."
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Source: Briefly News
