We are entering a critical phase of South Africa’s digitisation and there is a great risk the outcome will see increased inequality and further limited access to information and free expression for South Africa’s majority.
On Thursday 14 July 91 representatives of 45 civil society organisations gathered to launch Friends of a Free Internet – to campaign for a communication commons that is ‘free as in Mahala and free as in freedom’.
The Conference for a Free Internet took place online at at physical venues in Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London and Johannesburg. You can download the full conference report here.
9h30 - 11h00: Mapping the Terrain
11h30 - 13h15: Connecting Everyone
14h00 - 15h45: Threats to Internet Freedom
15h45 - 16h30: Next Steps for a Free Internet
Next Steps for a Free Internet
The Conference concluded by noting that while we had covered considerable ground and contributions had been rich, there had not been enough time for engagement and discussion.
There here no major disagreements in the responses to inputs. As such we have established significant consensus on the nature of the obstacles to a Free Internet as well as the required interventions for its realisation.
The Conference agreed that this be the beginning of a process that should include Popular education (further developing our shared understanding), Coalition building (further developing our consensus), and Campaigning for the changes we want to see.
Participants agreed to discuss the Conference Report in their organisations and agree on how best to contribute to the process. Interested participants were invited to attend an Extended Steering Committee to reflect on the Conference and identify strategic priorities and plan for further work.
The Extended Steering Committee met on 26 July 2022 and identified the priority focuses:
- Promoting and developing a vision for the internet (digital ecosystem) we want. Including how it should be governed and funded
- Holding the government to their promise of Free Internet/household, Zero rating NPO websites, and coverage of coer 97% country. Including challenge ‘household’ for ‘citizen’, demanding more that 10GB and including community networks in delivery.
- Promote & support Community Networks as ISPs.
- Develop activist literacy and capacity for digital self defence. Including privacy settings/apps tips/tricks for self defence and networks people can create with phones (free peer2peer mesh networks).
- Oppose the Film & Publication Board implementation of the Censorship Act.
The following participants agreed to constitute the post-conference Steering Committee and drive our work: Anele Mbi, Asha Moodley, Busi Mtabane, Erna Curry, Colin Young, Kgopotso Magoro, Mark Weinberg, Michael Graaf, Mike Kwet, Moeketsi Monaheng, Nicolas Dieltiens, Nosana Sondiyazi, Rasigan Maharajh, Saba Honeybush, Sthe Khuluse, Sinenhlanhla Manqele, Tshiamo Malatji and Verushka Memdutt.
Conference for a Free Internet is grateful for the support of:
