Access and accountability is a relatively new area for MMA. Part of our core objectives as an organisation is to promote the active participation of citizens in our democracy. In South Africa, citizens are faced with extraordinary high data costs, particularly on mobile, as well as limited access to the internet. Through various projects, we are attempting to challenge these barriers and provide solutions that are affordable, accessible and ultimately, practical ways to enable citizens to hold power to account.

Shika Moto

Shika Moto holds at its heart the principle of freedom. The freedom to learn, to grow and to change. Access to the internet is one of the most important tools for building a pathway to these freedoms. Shika Moto delivers internet services on a local network to people who either don’t have great internet access or who haven’t had access before.

Universal Access to Information

A key focus area for MMA has been the promotion of access to the internet as a facilitative human right. The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) is directly linked to promoting the Sustainable Development Goal target 16(10) which aims to “ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements”. MMA, along with partner organisations including SANEF, APC, IABSA, developed the Issue Paper on Perspectives on Universal Free Access to Online Information in South Africa: Free Public Wifi and Zero Rated Content. The issue paper details a seven point plan for achieving this goal.