The South African School of Community Networks is looking for applicants for a course on Community Networks. Community Networks are a model of internet service in which communities own, install, manage, and operate their own local internet services. This course aims to equip participants with skills and knowledge relevant to run a local Community Network, with expert assistance where necessary.

The course will consist of two phases - a study phase, and a mentorship phase. The study phase will run between January to May 2022 and require 6-7 weeks of full-time, in-person work, and 8-9 weeks of part-time, online work. The mentorship phase will run between June and November 2022 and require part-time, online work.

Applicants must be over 18 years old and have a legal South African ID. They must also be responsible, motivated, hardworking, respectful of others, disciplined, able to work well in groups and on their own, good at communication, entrepreneurial and be community orientated. All applicants must demonstrate a good knowledge, experience, or skills in community work, business, and technical / ICT skills, or have the ability and interest to learn these.  

Applicants should be able to speak, read and write in English, as well as be comfortable using digital devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops. They should know how to use the internet, email, and programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel. It is strongly recommended that applicants have passed matric, as some of the coursework will require mathematics, strong financial literacy, math’s, and science. University graduates and others with tertiary education may also apply.

The SA School of Community Networks is looking for three participants from each of the following communities: Ocean View (Western Cape), Khayelitsha / Nyanga / Gugulethu (Western Cape), Soweto (Gauteng), Mankosi / Zithulele villages (Eastern Cape), the Amadiba area (Eastern Cape), Mamaila Tribal Authority (Limpopo), and Mapoteng, John Taolo Gaetsewe Distract (Northern Cape).

Due to the focus of the course being to capacitate a core group of three people within these specific communities, it would be ideal if applicants know each other and apply as a group – either as individuals or as part of an existing community-based organization. 

Interested applicants please register for the course application using the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScebMpMJfvNLamAC6wNDfwe4CPAtocLMNbDWgJ0Wit6NpsYuQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Applications close on 8 October 2021.