Ramaphosa's empty promise of internet at schools lets South Africa's learners down

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Making promises to children and then letting them down is a crying shame. To make matters even worse, the culprit is the President of the country and his empty promises directly harm these children’s future.

In his 2019 State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Cyril Ramaphosa promised that all schools in South Africa would have internet access by 2025, and every learner would be given a tablet.

But like so many of the ANC's other promises and undertakings, nothing came of it.

The Department of Basic Education itself admits that 16 000 schools remain completely cut off from the digital world (Business Day, 17 September 2025: State failed to fulfil president's digital learning promise, MPs told). 

This ambitious undertaking was supposed to transform education to prepare children for the digital era, according to the President. But six years later, the harsh reality is yet another ANC failure. 

It particularly affects learners in rural areas where infrastructure is poor. This not only denies children access to a wealth of information, but also undermines their chances of equal education and future job opportunities.

The fact that the ANC rejected Elon Musk’s offer to connect 5 000 rural schools to Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet for free demonstrates how utterly indifferent the President and ANC are toward the country’s learners.

It would have been an investment of approximately R500 million at no cost to government.

If South Africa were to undertake such a project on its own, it would cost an estimated R30,6 billion – and government simply does not have the money for it.

Yet, government refused to compromise on its rigid Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements and Musk’s offer, which would have empowered 2,4 million learners, was thrown back in his face.

Apparently, political agendas and trite, failed economic policies are more important to the ANC than the future of the country’s youth.

In this case, President Ramaphosa cannot shift the blame to anyone else. He made the promise, and he stood idly by and looked on as BEE derailed Musk’s offer.  

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) demands that negotiations with Musk be resumed at once, and that Starlink’s offer and conditions regarding BEE be accepted. The infrastructure has to be created as soon as possible. 

Learners' futures, as well as the future of the country, are far more important than the ANC’s political agendas and policies, which are already destroying South Africa.

The ANC is letting everyone in South Africa down, and it is time for voters to start seeing things for what they really are.