Minister Solly Malatsi Is Working So Hard To Reduce Your Data Price

The newly-appointed Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has emphasized the urgent need to reduce data prices in South Africa.

In a recent interview with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Malatsi outlined his vision for the communications and digital technologies portfolio, focusing on making internet access more affordable and reliable for all South Africans.

According to Statistics South Africa’s 2023 household survey, only 14.5% of South Africans have internet access at home or via a fixed-line connection.

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In contrast, a significant 78.6% of the population can access the internet through mobile networks. This disparity highlights the importance of mobile data in the country.

However, the affordability of mobile data remains a significant barrier for many. Malatsi pointed out that while many South Africans are within range of cellphone towers, the high cost of mobile data prevents them from taking full advantage of internet access.

Minister Solly Malatsi has set clear objectives to tackle the issue of high data prices. He aims to reduce data costs, ensuring that internet access is not a financial burden for consumers. “My interest is that once there is access, that access is dependable,” he stated.

In addition to lowering data prices, Malatsi is committed to connecting all government facilities, including schools, to the Internet. This initiative is expected to accelerate information consumption and increase awareness of the digital economy in South Africa.

Another key aspect of Malatsi’s plan is stabilising state-owned enterprises (SOEs) within his portfolio and promoting competition in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.

“The initial discovery is that there has been a lot of steady work that has been established, but there is still a lot of room for improvement,” he noted. The minister believes fostering competition and enacting supportive legislation will drive further advancements in the ICT sector.