http://hdl.handle.net/10204/902 2013-05-19T01:39:02Z http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6728 Title: Experiences, challenges and lessons from rolling out a rural WiFi mesh network Authors: Rey-Moreno, C; Roro, Z; Tucker, WD; Jay Siya, MJ; Bidwell, NJ; Simo-Reigadas, J Abstract: The computing for development community knows that technology interventions involve consideration of social, technical and environmental factors. Research into WiFi solutions has fallen off as ubiquitous mobile solutions penetrate even the deepest rural communities worldwide. This paper argues that the latest wave of WiFi mesh networks offers benefits that traditional top-down WiFi and mobile networks do not. In addition, we propose ethnographic and participatory methods to aid the effective rollout of mesh inverse infrastructure with and for a given community. This paper describes and then analyzes a mesh for voice rollout within a situated context. We explain how to conduct informed community co-design and how to factor in local socio-political concerns that can impact on the design, rollout and subsequent maintenance of community-based wireless mesh networks. While we have not yet analyzed baseline and initial usage data, we do have new lessons to offer. Description: Proceedings of the 3rd ACM Symposium on Computing for Development, Bangalore, India, 11-12 January 2013. Published in ACM Digital library 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6707 Title: Social franchising principles do work: The business approach to removal and disposal of faecal sludge -- from pilot to scale Authors: Wall, K; Ive, O; Bhagwan, J; Kirwan, F Abstract: Sudies undertaken by the CSIR and WRC have found that social franchising partnerships for the routine maintenance of infrastructure could alleviate and address many challenges in the management of water services. A pilot project, under way in the Eastern Cape since 2009, has drawn to a successful conclusion. This provided selected infrastructure maintenance services to approximately 400 schools in the Butterworth education district. Half a dozen franchisee microbusinesses were created, and of the order of three dozen previously unemployed people were taught workplace skills. Irish Aid funded the concept development, but the franchisees were paid from the normal Department of Education (DoE) schools operation and maintenance budgets. Despite difficulties arising directly from DoE inefficiencies, the pilot project has proven the value of social franchising partnerships for this kind of work -- the DoE now has a model it can roll out to the rest of the more than 4000 schools across the Eastern Cape which have similar types of infrastructure. Many opportunities lie in applying the same approach to other operation and/or maintenance activities within the water and sanitation services delivery chain. The time is ripe to further develop the concept so that it can move up the technology ladder, expanding its range of competencies beyond its current tried and tested boundaries. Description: Faecal Sludge Management, Durban, 28 August 2012. 2012-08-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6706 Title: Potential applications of the Internet of Things in sustainable rural development in South Africa Authors: Dlodlo, N; Mofolo, M; Kagarura, GM Abstract: There are strong commitments from the South African (S.A.) government to promote rural development and improve the quality of life in rural communities. The challenges that face rural areas in S.A. include underutilisation and/or unsustainable use of natural resources; poor or lack of access to socio-economic infrastructure and services, public amenities and government services, lack of access to clean water or lack of water resources for both household and agricultural development; low literacy and skills levels. This paper reports on potential applications of internet of things (IoT) technologies that could contribute to sustainable rural livelihoods. These technologies have been categorised under land and water resource management, food security, rural infrastructure and services, agricultural logistics, disaster and risk management, public health and education and eco – management. The purpose of the paper is to prove the potential of IoT as a possible contributor to sustainable rural development. Description: International Conference of Information Science and Computer Applications (ICISCA), Bali, Indonesia, 19-20 November 2012 2012-05-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10204/6701 Title: O&M of services infrastructure by social franchising partnerships Authors: Wall, K; Bhagwan, J; Ive, O; Kirwan, F Abstract: South African research finds that social franchising partnerships could address many challenges in the operation and maintenance of water services infrastructure. Franchising trains those on-site, and also provides backup off-site skills. The concept is being piloted with considerable success in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Under the guidance and mentorship of a franchisor, trainee franchisees are taking care of the routine maintenance of the sanitation facilities at several hundred schools. Municipalities in the region have also taken interest, and are taking the first steps to adopt the concept where appropriate. Description: International Water Association (IWA) Conference, South Korea, September 2012 2012-09-01T00:00:00Z