Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa

09/08/2026

Today marks 70 years since more than 20,000 South African women marched to the Union Buildings in 1956. Their courage created a legacy of women stepping forward, taking their place and changing the institutions around them.

Seventy years later, we celebrate the women carrying that spirit into boardrooms, broadcasting studios, engineering teams, communities, businesses and the digital economy.

As we celebrate National Women’s Day, our focus turns toward South Africa’s ICT sector, which serves as an example of meaningful progress.

According to ICASA’s "The State of the ICT Sector Report of South Africa - March 2026", the telecommunications sector employed 11,633 women in 2025, while female employment in broadcasting grew to 1,942 women, an increase of 11.9%.

Behind those numbers are women building networks, leading organisations, producing the content South Africans consume, solving complex technical challenges and helping shape the future of our digital economy.

At USAASA, we are proud to contribute to a future in which access to technology continues to create even more opportunities for women to connect, participate, lead and thrive.

To the women shaping South Africa’s ICT sector: we see your contribution, we celebrate your progress and we look forward to everything still to come.

Happy National Women’s Day, South Africa. 🇿🇦

31/07/2026

Visiting the Eersterust Care and Training Centre was a moving and memorable experience. Since its founding in 1980, the centre has been a cornerstone of support for the Eersterust community and its neighbours, offering compassionate care to around 80 individuals with severe and profound intellectual disabilities.

From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was filled with warmth and excitement, instantly drawing us into the heart of the centre’s daily life. Our tour revealed a vibrant environment where beneficiaries are empowered to develop practical, creative, and personal skills—shaping more than just their own futures, but the future of the community itself.

Protective Workshop: Here, beneficiaries learn to bake, build, and create, turning recycled materials into eco-bricks for chairs and even homes.

Agricultural Project: Beneficiaries plant and grow herbs and vegetables, some of which are donated to a nearby old-age home, while the rest are sold to a local store, with proceeds reinvested in the centre’s programs.

The visit was made even more special by a spirited dance, heartfelt songs, handmade gifts, and a delicious meal—all prepared and presented by the beneficiaries themselves using produce from their own gardens. The energy, joy, and sense of purpose were unmistakable.

This experience was a powerful reminder that contribution is not defined by circumstance. The children and adults supported by the centre are not just recipients of care—they are creators, contributors, and an essential part of the life and progress of the organisation.

30/07/2026

As USAASA prepared to relocate its offices, the team recognised that some of the organisation’s office furniture still had value. Instead of seeing furniture as obsolete, the team saw it as resources that could serve new purposes in new places.
This decision goes to the core of USAASA’s mission: serving underserved communities. Donating the furniture to communities was a continuation of the organisation’s commitment to service, inclusion, and community development.

The timing being during Mandela Month made the gesture even more meaningful, as this month celebrates the values of compassion, dignity and service that Nelson Mandela championed.

USAASA donated office furniture to three organisations in Eersterust:

📍 Eersterust Private Health Clinic

📍 Eersterust Care and Training Centre

📍 Eersterust Senior Citizens’ Club

During the visits, USAASA’s team heard from the founders, directors and staff about the real and lasting difference these organisations make in the Eersterust community.

By donating furniture and spending time with these groups, the USAASA team embraced the spirit of the symbolic 67 minutes of service - honouring Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of dedication to public good.

In giving, USAASA found a way to extend its legacy of service, turning a simple relocation into a meaningful act of community upliftment.

25/07/2026

BDM awareness activations and registrations took place last week in the Nseleni and Dlangezwa areas of uMhlathuze. Residents who were unable to attend the activations can still register online at www.stbregistration.gov.za.

24/07/2026

Last week, the team’s BDM registration awareness drive made its second stop at the Ngwelezane Sigisi Sports Ground in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality. Residents were assisted with the registration process and provided guidance on accessing BDM services.

Community members who were unable to attend the outreach can still register online at www.stbregistration.gov.za.

23/07/2026

USAASA engaged with the community of uMhlabuyalingana Local Municipality, as part of the BDM registration awareness drive. The team continues to support community members throughout the registration process. Residents who are unable to visit the outreach sites can register online at www.stbregistration.gov.za.

22/07/2026

22/07/2026

21/07/2026

USAASA is a public entity that works to expand access to ICT services in South Africa’s underserved, marginalised and rural communities.

Our work includes supporting broadband rollout, extending ICT services, broadening access to digital broadcasting, managing the Universal Service and Access Fund and encouraging SMME participation in connectivity projects.

The goal is to help ensure that more communities can benefit from digital access and the opportunities it creates.