Government will design a course for those who want to become accredited installers of set top boxes (STBs) in preparation for the switch to a digital migration broadcasting system, Communications Minister Faith Muthambi said on Friday.
“As the department begins the process of distributing set top boxes for the digital terrestrial television (DTT) migration project, it is our duty to ensure that many communities and young people become involved in this economic activity.
“My department, together with the Department of Labour, will design a course for those who want to become accredited installers of set top boxes so that they can have formal training and the expertise necessary to install these boxes,” she said.
In order to view digital television signals on an ordinary analogue television set, consumers will need a set top boxes. The STBs convert the digital broadcasting signal for reception on an ordinary analogue television set.
If consumers have not acquired a set top box by time the analogue signal is switched off, they will no longer be able to view the existing terrestrial television broadcasting services.
Government has committed to providing free set top boxes to five million households who cannot afford to buy them.
Minister Muthambi was speaking during an Imbizo on DTT at the local multi-purpose centre in Ratanda, outside Heidelberg in Gauteng.
Addressing the local residents who came in large numbers, the Minister said the details of this DTT project will be advertised in various community newspapers in due course.
She wanted to see young people taking advantage of the many benefits of the digital migration process, including telling their own stories as documentary producers and film makers.
“We all have the responsibility to make a meaningful contribution to the country’s economic growth and development. We as government will provide the platform, but it is up to you young people to grab the opportunity provided,” she said.
Vuk’uzenzele to advertise govt jobs
Minister Muthambi announced that in the coming weeks, her in-house monthly publication Vuk’uzenzele, will start advertising government jobs in their editions, to the sound of ululations in the hall.
Vuk’uzenzele is widely and freely distributed across the country.
“This is another effort from the Department of Communication to make the process of searching for work easier for communities and young job-seekers.
“We are a pro-poor government which was put in power by poor people, now we want our people to get government advertised jobs on their doorsteps – at Thusong Service Centres and all government departments – this shows that we are caring government,” she said.
Minister Muthambi said she had engaged entities such as ICASA, the MDDA, Film and Publication Board and Brand SA, to start using the platform of community media to advertise their offerings and possible vacancies.
Enter Your email Below to get We will send you Email once they are available