EXTENDED INTERNET CONNECTION OUTAGE AT LIBRARY RAISES CONCERN
Frustration at six months of no connection
THE internet connection at the Komani public library has been down for almost six months.
Students and pupils depend on the internet connectivity at the library to facilitate their studies.
Queenstown librarian Jackie Tys confirmed the internet had been down for an extended period.
College student Amahle Mahola said she has had to use some of her pocket money to go to the nearest internet cafe.
“Some of these internet cafes can be expensive, but we have no choice because the internet connection at the library is down and it is very frustrating. We have assignments that we have to do using the computers and accessing the internet.”
Enoch Mgijima spokesman Gcobani Msindwana said the technicians from the IT unit have tried to isolate the cause of the problems, but this has not been entirely successful.
“The solution to the problems is somewhat complicated as the various systems at the libraries are provided and maintained by a number of service providers, such as the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture, a private service provider that is contracted to the department, two Telkom service providers, the National Library [Mzansi Libraries-on-line Project] and the municipality,” Msindwana said.
“The municipality is trying to coordinate the service providers so as to find solutions to the sections of the systems which are relevant to them. The municipality has also applied to Telkom for the upgrading of the bandwidth which will result in a faster service.”
He said the breakdown was unfortunate as it did not only inconvenience the library’s users, but also impacted on the Mzansi Libraries-on-Line Project.
“Internet services are, however, available at most of the other 11 libraries of Enoch Mgijima Municipality.”