The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, in partnership with Maziv Group, has reached a major milestone: the 1,000th school in South Africa is now connected to high-speed internet. Molamo Primary School in Ga-Mothapo village, east of Polokwane in Limpopo, is the latest school to benefit from the initiative.
A significant milestone has been reached in South Africa’s efforts to bridge the digital divide in basic education. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, working with private sector partner Maziv Group (through Vuma), has successfully connected the 1,000th school to high-speed internet.
Molamo Primary School Joins the Network
The latest school to come online is Molamo Primary School in Ga-Mothapo village, east of Polokwane in Limpopo. The school, which was founded by community members in 1994 with only two teachers, will now have access to fast, reliable internet for teaching, learning and research.
Principal Malesela Tlakula welcomed the development, saying it will improve curriculum delivery and learner performance. A learner at the school added that the connection will allow them to research topics using smart boards and access digital learning materials more easily.
Minister Solly Malatsi’s Message
Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi described connectivity as “the oxygen to compete for opportunities.” He praised the public-private partnership and urged more companies in the fibre sector to join the effort to connect every learner in South Africa.
Maziv Group CEO Dietlof Mare echoed the call, noting that while the challenge is significant, it is achievable and essential for South African children to compete globally.
Why This Milestone Matters
Access to high-speed internet in schools is a game-changer for basic education. It enables learners to access up-to-date learning materials, participate in online research, use educational platforms, and develop digital skills that are increasingly required in the modern economy. For many rural and township schools, this connection removes one of the biggest barriers to quality education.
The initiative forms part of the broader government drive to close the digital divide and ensure no learner is left behind in the digital age.
Looking Ahead
Government and its partners say more schools will be connected in the coming months. The long-term goal is to link every school in South Africa to reliable high-speed internet, supporting both classroom learning and the development of future-ready skills.
For Molamo Primary School and the 999 schools that came before it, today marks the beginning of a new chapter in digital learning.
