#TheWeekThatWas | How did your week go? Wins, challenges, or surprises? Tell @Hlekanis all about it on the #CapricornExperience via WhatsApp: 079 899 6226.

#TheWeekThatWas | Did everything go as planned, or did life throw in a few surprises? Share your story with @Hlekanis on the #CapricornExperience. Send your voice note via WhatsApp to 079 899 6226.

#TheWeekThatWas | 9 to 15 March 2026 This week focused on strengthening oversight of entities in the communications and digital technologies portfolio, advancing digital economy opportunities and continuing work to expand connectivity across South Africa. 🏛️ Governance and Entity Oversight During the week I met with the Chairperson of the Broadband Infraco (BBI) Board to discuss the entity’s performance in supporting the rollout of SA Connect and to receive an update on its plans to improve the financial sustainability of the organisation. Strengthening the performance of BBI remains important as it plays a key role in expanding broadband infrastructure and connecting more communities. Engagements were also held with the Postbank Board as part of the Ministry’s ongoing regulatory sessions with boards across the portfolio. These discussions focus on improving governance, strengthening oversight and ensuring that entities deliver effectively on their mandates to serve the public. 📡 Digital Economy Masterplan The week included the convening of the Executive Oversight Committee of the Digital Economy Masterplan, where progress on efforts across government and industry to grow South Africa’s digital economy was reviewed. The Masterplan remains an important platform for coordinating work to expand digital infrastructure, build skills, support innovation and unlock opportunities for businesses and citizens in the digital age. 📜 Expanding Connectivity through Rapid Deployment This week also saw the publication of a draft Policy Direction on Rapid Deployment for public comment. Rapid deployment is about making it faster and easier for network operators to build broadband and mobile infrastructure while ensuring the process remains fair and lawful. Addressing delays and inconsistencies in permitting processes can help reduce the cost of building networks and accelerate the rollout of connectivity across the country. Improving the speed and affordability of infrastructure deployment is an important step in expanding access to reliable connectivity and unlocking the opportunities that come with the digital economy. 🎬 Digital Economy in Action A visit to Netflix production facilities in Cape Town provided an opportunity to see firsthand the scale of international film production taking place in South Africa and the opportunities this creates for our digital and creative economy. Major international productions filmed in South Africa have demonstrated how the digital content sector can create jobs, support local businesses and showcase South African talent to global audiences. The growth of the film and streaming sector highlights how digital platforms and creative industries are becoming an increasingly important part of South Africa’s broader digital economy. 📮 South African Post Office A key focus during the week was the future of the South African Post Office, which was discussed at the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies. Given the complexity of the situation and the pressures on the fiscus, discussions about the future of the Post Office must be responsible and grounded in the realities facing the country. Government continues to explore viable options that consider both the entity’s role in communities and the responsible use of limited public resources. Until next week, let’s stay connectsway.cloud.microsoft/ZvVR5UTHLW0Uvd…dkvFT

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#TheWeekThatWas | 2 to 8 March 2026 The last week focused on strengthening partnerships, through a series of engagements at the World Mobile Congress, to accelerate South Africa’s digital transformation, expand connectivity and grow digital skills. Engagements with global technology partners centred on investment, infrastructure and collaboration aligned with my four priorities: universal access, device affordability, productive use of the internet and an enabling environment for investment and innovation. 🌐 Strengthening Global Partnerships In a bilateral meeting with Tech Mahindra CEO Mohit Joshi, we agreed to fast track the finalisation of a memorandum of understanding focused on digital upskilling and training opportunities. 📊 Digital Africa Index Roundtable I participated in a GSMA roundtable on the Digital Africa Index, highlighting the need to address rural connectivity gaps and to use comparative data across markets to enhance collaboration and accelerate progress. 🛰 Satellite Connectivity In a bilateral meeting with Amazon Leo's team, we discussed their plans to deploy additional satellite capacity in Africa in the near future to expand connectivity coverage, especially in underserved areas. I also met with Spacesail, a Chinese satellite company, to discuss South Africa’s regulatory framework for low-earth orbit satellite operators and South Africa's attempts to expand connectivity options in the market. 📱 Device Affordability and Digital Inclusion. I was part of the panel discussion hosted by Ericsson on Connecting the Next Billion, where I shared the impact of the removal of the luxury tax on entry level smartphones under R2500 continues to have in enabling more low-income households to participate in the digital economy. 📡 Investment and Skills Partnerships I also held bilateral engagements with ZTE, China Mobile, Huawei and Honor to explore opportunities for collaboration across digital infrastructure, skills development and device affordability, including potential data centre investment, initiatives to expand connectivity and digital access, locally assembled affordable devices and tablets for education, skills transfer programmes and partnerships to expand CyberLabs and digital skills in schools. 📱 Early Impact of Smartphone Tax Reform. In discussions with GSMA we agreed on collaborative research for regulatory reforms enable more people to access affordable smart devices. 🌍 Regional Engagement On the sidelines of the programme, I also met with my counterpart from Ghana, Hon. Samuel Nartey George, to discuss shared opportunities for advancing digital development across the continent. Until next week, let’s stay connesway.cloud.microsoft/paATHb5WDjweOk…Dtk5mKl

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#TheWeekThatWas | 24 February to 1 March 2026 This week advanced work to stabilise core infrastructure, shape digital policy and expand digital skills. The focus remains on delivery on my four priorities: universal access, device affordability, productive use of the internet and an enabling environment for investment and innovation. 📊 Budget: Support for Broadcasting The Minister of Finance allocated a special appropriation of R700 million to the Department in his budget speech. The funding will be used to offset a portion of the historic debt owed to Sentech by the SABC for signal distribution services. Sentech operates the transmission network that carries broadcasting services across the country, including towers, transmitters and related infrastructure that make free-to-air broadcasting possible. The outstanding debt has placed serious strain on Sentech’s liquidity. This funding will materially improve Sentech’s operational stability and enables continued maintenance of transmission sites and support for broadcast digital migration. It will also help stabilise the entire public broadcasting system, protecting universal access to information relied upon daily by millions of South Africans. 🤖 Parliamentary Accountability: AI Policy I led the Department’s and SITA’s appearance before the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies. We reported on progress with the Artificial Intelligence policy framework and ethical AI guidelines. We also updated the Committee on the policy colloquium engagements, ongoing stakeholder consultations and work on the National Data Centre strategy and data sovereignty safeguards. 💻 Delivery: Coding and Robotics Lab in Kouga I had the honour of opening a new Coding and Robotics Lab at Jeffery’s Bay High School, in Kouga. This lab, made possible in partnership with Software AG, expands access to digital skills, including coding and robotics, equipping learners with practical tools to participate meaningfully in the digital economy. It forms part of our broader efforts to open up access to digital infrastructure in small towns, rural areas and townships, helping to close the digital divide. Until next week, let’s stay connectedsway.cloud.microsoft/sPaXK6z9Wehp4r…rn9

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#TheWeekThatWas | 16 to 22 Feb 2026 The past week centred on parliamentary accountability through the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, effective oversight of entities and finalising our efforts to stabilise the leadership of the Department. 🧑‍⚖️ Parliamentary Oversight Together with the Department, I appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies for quarterly accountability engagements covering the performance of ICASA and the Film and Publication Board. This session focused on accounting for the Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 performance for the 2025/26 financial year. Key areas of focus included regulatory certainty and fair competition, consumer protection and online safety, and institutional performance and financial accountability. These sessions are central to democratic oversight as Parliament assesses whether regulators are supporting investment, protecting users, and ensuring a safer digital environment. 🏗️ Delivery, Governance and Capacity I convened the first meeting of the Steering Committee for the Broadcast Digital Migration project, bringing together broadcasters and civil society representatives, to kick off a series of engagements that are essential to establishing a credible and inclusive process that will ultimately guide the country’s transition from analogue to digital migration. I also met with the Sentech board as part of my regular interactions with the leadership of various entities in the Department to conduct effective oversight and monitor performance across the portfolio. Sentech is a commendable example of an SOE with sound good governance performance, accountability and delivery and a competent board and executive leadership. We wrapped up by the week with interviews for three key Deputy Director-General positions to as part of our ongoing efforts to attract talent that will strengthen leadership capacity within the Department. Until next week, let’s stay connected!sway.cloud.microsoft/WpDgCQPWZsjfMx…f1

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#TheWeekThatWas | 9 to 15 Feb 2026 Ahead of #SONA2026, the week focused on delivery and oversight across the portfolio. 🔐 Marked #SaferInternetDay through media engagements, highlighting online safety and the work of the Film and Publication Board educating young people about online harms. 📡 Conducted BDM oversight in Fisantekraal, monitoring set top box installations and engaging beneficiaries to unblock rollout challenges. 🧾 Convened the Chairpersons Forum to strengthen governance, accountability and coordination across entities. 🤝 Met Telkom leadership on infrastructure investment, network resilience and broadband expansion. Digital transformation must translate into real access and opportunity. Read more here 👉sway.cloud.microsoft/ZnX4Dcp3UUEefs…

#TheWeekThatWas | 26 Jan – 6 Feb 🌐 Engaged the Fibre Optic Operator Community on broadband rollout and municipal wayleave challenges. 🏘️ Visited Net Nine Nine to see community-driven fibre expanding access in townships and underserved areas. 🤝 Strengthened SA–Sweden digital cooperation with Ericsson and the Ambassador of Sweden. 🎓 Opened a new computer lab at Phefeni Secondary School with DBE and Microsoft. 🛰️ Attended the Space42 Thuraya satellite launch, highlighting the role of satellite connectivity. 🏛️ Appeared before the PCCDT to report on Quarter 1 and 2 performances of SAPO, SABC and Post Office. Until next week, let's stay connecsway.cloud.microsoft/1D44NfcAhe4Gkt…7TGOXw

#TheWeekThatWas | How did the week treat you, Did it go according to plan or take you by surprise? NEXT | Tell @Hlekanis all about it on the #CapricornExperience. WhatsApp your voice note to 079 899 6226.

#TheWeekThatWas | How did the week treat you, just as planned or completely unexpected? NEXT | Tell @Hlekanis all about it on the #CapricornExperience. WhatsApp your voice note: 079 899 6226.