Emergency funding with Zenzeleni

Status: Closed

Country: South Africa

Partner: Zenzeleni Community Network

Impact goal: 1200+ people

About the project

On June 9, 2025, catastrophic winds exceeding 100km/h devastated Eastern Cape, South Africa, claiming several lives and destroying critical infrastructure. Zenzeleni's main communications tower was completely uprooted, severing the digital connection for residents in Mankosi, Zithulele, and surrounding areas just when they need it most.

Results

In June, severe storms in South Africa’s Eastern Cape destroyed Zenzeleni’s main connectivity tower in Nomadolo, cutting off internet access for more than 1,800 people across Mankosi, Zithulele, and surrounding villages.

The outage disrupted critical community services: three connected schools lost their online learning access, both community digital hubs went offline, five NGO clients were unable to operate, and the Zithulele hospital struggled to access patient information and lab results. Families were unable to communicate during the emergency, and many elderly residents could not access online government services and social grants.

The goal of the project was to rebuild the damaged tower with storm-resilient infrastructure and restore connectivity to all affected areas. Although the reconstruction was successful, it took longer and required more resources than originally planned. Contractors withdrew after assessing the difficult terrain, forcing the team to bring in a specialist from East London at higher cost.

The structural damage was far greater than expected, requiring heavy equipment to straighten and reinforce the tower before rebuilding could begin. A new concrete foundation, storm-resistant anchor points, three replacement antennas, and upgraded radio equipment were installed.

After four weeks of reconstruction and an additional ten days of inspecting five gateways and roughly 55 hotspots, full connectivity was restored. Additional repairs were made to a second tower in Kwaaiman after hidden storm damage was discovered. Network performance issues with the new equipment required several weeks of reconfiguration, but by early September, service across all communities had fully stabilised.

Restoring the network brought immediate benefits. The Zithulele hospital regained access to vital patient systems, students resumed online coursework, small businesses were able to process mobile money transactions again, and the community hubs in Mankosi and Zithulele reopened for public use. Connectivity was essential for communication, education, healthcare, and local livelihoods.

Several adaptations were introduced during the project, including adding backup batteries to improve resilience during extended power outages. Storm-related infrastructure damage in the wider area, including a washed-out bridge crucial for transporting equipment, created further delays and costs. Continuous communication with residents, clients, and local authorities was required throughout the outage, reflecting how deeply the community depends on the service.

Despite the challenges, the project achieved its goal: connectivity is fully restored, and the rebuilt tower is better equipped to withstand future extreme weather. The experience underscored the growing importance of reliable, community-owned digital infrastructure in rural South Africa, especially in times of crisis.

About the partner

Zenzeleni Community Networks, South Africa's pioneering rural community-owned Internet Service Provider, is transforming connectivity in the Eastern Cape region. Living up to its isiXhosa name meaning "Do it yourself," Zenzeleni provides affordable internet access while empowering local communities to become active participants in the digital age. Through its innovative model, the organization combines internet service provision with digital literacy support and device access, making the internet a community-driven resource rather than a luxury.

Visit their website.