Access to information is an important tool in empowering individuals, combating corruption, and promoting good governance in cities experiencing rapid urban migration. The Internet is available in Uganda via mobile phones, yet less than 3% of Ugandans over the age of sixteen use it, compared with 15% in neighboring Kenya. In 2010, UNICEF Uganda representative Sharad Sapra and his team devised a simple, cost-effective way to bridge this digital divide. Inspired by the successful “Digital Doorway” deployed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa, the creative team developed a rugged solar-powered computer kiosk called the Digital Drum. Built affordably with readily available materials, the first prototype was created in three days in a car-repair shop in Kampala using oil drums, basic angle grinders, and a metal arc welder. Mechanics switched from fixing UNICEF vehicles to working with its engineers to fabricate and weatherproof the keyboards and laptops with inner tubes and sealant.

UNICEF plans more Drums, which will include critical information such as the national education curriculum; school-safety guidelines; and videos on topics such as school lessons, public health, campaigns encouraging girls to stay in school, and efforts to combat widespread teacher absenteeism. UNICEF plans to have local vocational schools manufacture more Drums, and will install them in up to a hundred outdoor locations throughout the country over the next two years, with the eventual goal of making the Drum cheap and easy enough to manufacture for every city and village in Uganda. Once finalized, the Drum’s design will be made open-source. Madagascar, Fiji, and the United States have shown early interest.

Digital Drum

See http://designother90.org for more.

Curnick Ndlovu was born in Matatiele in 1932. His parents moved to Durban’s uMkhumbane settlement in 1941, then on to KwaMashu after the demolition of Cato Manor in the 1950s. It was the squalid conditions there that prompted him to become involved in politics. He joined the ANC in 1952 and Umkhonto weSizwe in 1961. Ndlovu also contributed to the building of the trade union movement in South Africa as an organiser of railway workers in the South African Railways and Harbours’ Union. He was active in the South African Congress of Trade Unions and this work led to his eventual arrest. From 1964, he was imprisoned on Robben Island. On his release in 1984 he became National Chairperson of the United Democratic Front and a trade union educator. Post-1994, Ndlovu served as a member of KZN provincial legislature. Ndlovu died in 2002.

Andrew Zondo went to school at Nhlakanipho High School where he was an active member of the debate society. Born into a Christian family, with his father a preacher, Zondo was face to face with the poverty and deprivation that many of his neighbours were subjected to. He joined the ANC and underground operatives in early 1980s. Zondo operated as a member of the Butterfly Unit and was responsible for planting a bomb in Amanzimtoti on 22 December 1985, for which he was convicted and sentenced to death. He was executed in 1986.

Sihle Mbongwa was a member of the African National Congress’ military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe in 1977. Mbongwa was arrested for his MK involvement and sentenced to 12 years on Robben Island, completing his law degree during this time. He worked in various State institutions after his release in 1991, and also served on the Robben Island Museum Council. Mbongwa died in 2008.

Linda Nzama activist in KwaMashu. He left South Africa after the 1976 uprisings, joining the ANC and training as uMkhonto Wesizwe.. After his return he was based in Durban where he operated a number of underground activities including youth mobilisation. In 1981 he drowned, but his death was suspicious and some people feel he was assassinated by the Apartheid state.