National Infrastructure Plan 2050 tables 1Gbps broadband for all households by 2026

[ToxicBunny]

I kinda expected this argument to come up. Would water and sanitation work better if they had more money, throwing money at the problem isn't going to fix it any faster, there is a root cause that needs fixing, lack of funds isn't it. It comes down to mismanagement, corruption, poor skills, and a number of other factors, money isn't one of them. You can try disproportional budgets but it won't achieve the desired results, without sorting out the root cause. I don't know what each departments operational needs are, rewarding under performing departments isn't one of them.

Sure you could appropriate funds else where, but you just fanning the flames on already bad performing departments making it even more dysfunctional. In the US for example military spending is disproportional to other departments and there has been signs of decay in this regard for a very long time. You just have to look at how concerning US infrastructure is in that it was neglected for so long, you just have to google to see how much of it is falling apart and having to increase the budget only now to try and get things back on track, budget increases can only do so much in the short term.

However poorly management of pretty much every department is no amount of money is going to fix years of neglect. Lastly why should another department take a hit for their incompetence regardless of the service they provide. Throwing money at it isn't the solution nor the problem, fix the damn root cause then we can start talking about rewarding departments with larger budgets.

I rather have mediocrity across the board than complete dysfunction in some. Communications and digital technologies certainly doesn't sound like basic needs but to keep growing the economy or keep it a float is a one of the key points among just meeting the key basics needs. It is perhaps on an individual level less important than on a nation level. Stagnation this area isn't an option.

Oh I know it would initiate a feed frenzy, which is why I say its not a simple thing and that we can't just go appropriate budgets... but we have big problems in this country and spending untold millions on fluff like 1Gbps broadband for everyone is not where we need to be....

The problem is we aren't actually talking about mediocrity across the board, we're talking full blown human tragedy in many places, and dysfunction in all. The Department of Communications is not excluded from this. We all know how this "idea" will play out, millions will be spent on studies, and roadshows and feasibility documents and what not... and sweet FSCK ALL will happen.

 

[AstroTurf]

He said.

He is saying there is more important things, sarcastically. Not sure how you got to your explanation.

Yea but why take offence at what he said when you should obviously be offended by the ANC's pie in the sky inaction, ineptitude and let them eat cake mentality?

 

[wizardofid]

Yea but why take offence at what he said when you should obviously be offended by the ANC's pie in the sky inaction, ineptitude and let them eat cake mentality?

Huh where you get this from. Only replied to that post is there another post I should be aware of.

 

[wizardofid]

Oh I know it would initiate a feed frenzy, which is why I say its not a simple thing and that we can't just go appropriate budgets... but we have big problems in this country and spending untold millions on fluff like 1Gbps broadband for everyone is not where we need to be....

The problem is we aren't actually talking about mediocrity across the board, we're talking full blown human tragedy in many places, and dysfunction in all. The Department of Communications is not excluded from this. We all know how this "idea" will play out, millions will be spent on studies, and roadshows and feasibility documents and what not... and sweet FSCK ALL will happen.

While true to form anc and promises, that isn't the point I was making, it is all secondary to how much they are going to fk up this and to what extend, but the logic some applied in that fixing potholes is directly related to technology policies.Some departments does do some good of course it doesn't make up for the rotten core of the apple.

My practical application would be to treat them like 4 year olds and introduce a budgetary rewards point system, preform well get rewarded, preform poorly and only get what you need, develop a system that stamp out the root cause like corruption as an example, corruption doesn't foster performance, provide incentive to do your job. Of course the african mentality, why should I work harder for it, when it is just easier to steal it and I can get away with it.

 

[randomcat]

It sure won't make their life any shyttier, communication and connectivity is just as important as other essential requirements, like food, water and housing. Just focusing one one aspect of governmental services doesn't do anyone any good. What would happen if I were to disconnect your phone and all internet access today and remove all practical technology appliances, how will that impact your life, banking, shopping, work, and general communication. You will be pretty much back in the stone age, you will need to go to the bank to do payments, which many people are forced to do, because of the lack of technology. The fact of the matter is businesses have move onto technology driven model and if you don't get on the train you will be left behind.

I hate the argument that because people live in squalor you must only ever uplift them in meaningful ways, with things you deem fit for their uplift anything else to their benefit is optional. You can't do that and say you have the best interest of the people at heart and only ever cater to their basics needs you will never end the cycle or try ending the cycle. It is an utopian world ideology that rarely if ever works, but nothing wrong with giving it some effort, it is better than doing nothing at all, even if it only improves small percentage. Doing something is better than doing nothing even if you fail miserably at it. You don't simply wipe out all levels of inequality overnight, nor will you ever get rid of it, it is a mathematical impossibility.


As for technology it makes it extremely difficult in general to use services you take for granted and many have to resort to counterproductive and time consuming old fashion methods, which not only has a negative impact on the people but businesses as well. No doubt the government is failing in all regards, but just focusing one aspect and neglecting the rest is counter productive. Focusing part of your efforts on technology isn't a bad thing in the least, getting people connected does have a knock on effect in that I don't have to spend hours in a line to get a piece of paper submitted I can quickly do so online and with in minutes and get on doing other stuff, like digging my own french drain, bar that it is infinitely easier to implement some thing like this than getting clean water and sanitation operational overnight, not that the government will manage to not fk it up and delay it.

In the last twenty years where have you gathered the most knowledge from. It isn't a simple matter of it isn't "essential", therefore it shouldn't receive the attention it has been lacking for so long. I am optimistic in that people even if just a small percentage uses it for their own betterment it is worthwhile. You can fix your own water, food, and sanitation issues, if you try, to some extent, access to knowledge which has always been an issue as far back as recorded history goes and people have always relied on others for it.

How many times have you looked up knowledge and information you needed in your day to day life for practical application, it is some thing we have been taking for granted for a very long time. Knowledge is power and all the more power to the people if it in any way helps them.

I agree knowledge is important but after listening to people who have come from these disadvantaged places, they said their only thought was survival. Where can I get my next meal?

After listening to that, internet doesn't seem so important as getting them food, shelter and water.

 

[RiaX]

Awww pie in the sky plans. Guess the kids in poverty grew up and are still in poverty and want data.

 

[wizardofid]

I agree knowledge is important but after listening to people who have come from these disadvantaged places, they said their only thought was survival. Where can I get my next meal?

After listening to that, internet doesn't seem so important as getting them food, shelter and water.

However there are two side of the coin, what they don't tell you the little money they do get in most cases is spend on booze. The reliance on others to fix your problem is also a common theme. Some thing I see here often is that grandma or family is looking after the kids while the parents go to the cities for work, often the grand parents or family looking after the kids are the ones who booze it up and the kids suffer as a result. There is many social problems, and I have heard of people having kids just for the sake of the grant.

It is R80,00 round trip here to get to the closest bank, SASSA does make a stop here in a big truck to do applications and stuff once a month. If you can save money by using a banking app and do some things online, especially if that money can do some thing more useful why not, it indirectly costs them nothing for the infrastructure, so the question is why not. Transport costs here especially for the poor is extremely disproportional to what they get at the end of the day. If it gives them 5 cents more buying power I am all for it.

I don't see any problem with providing some thing that might make it just a little easier. I don't believe enriching lives should only be about necessities and while it sure as hell would help, as a developing country or crumbling country which ever one you base your opinion on, however much distasteful it is just not practical to focus on just social issues, you still require to look after business interests and welfare of others things that isn't directly related to people.

The issue is many departments are failing and it might not be directly their own fault. 60+ years of inequality your trying to rectify, no matter which government is in control, there is no easy fix, especially if they are there to enrich their own lives above the people they were suppose to represent and serve.

I am looking at the benefits it could provide rather on the negatives it always comes with. I also think we as the people of this country are equally as guilty for letting it happen to get this bad.

Of course you are on a forum, that has many embittered trolls, that would like nothing more than see the world burn, trying to reason with them is like mixing oil and water. Read some thing interesting the other day if people aren't willing to listen to what you have to say distance your self from them and move on to someone that is willing to listen.