Orange Farm logs on
Ndaba Dlamini
27 July 2004
The City of Johannesburg and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research have set up an information technology project to develop and attract business to Orange Farm, the largest and most populous informal settlement in South Africa.
The settlement, south of Johannesburg, now boasts a state-of-the-art information and communications technology (ICT) hub.
The hub, at the Orange Farm Library, offers ICT training to residents as well as support services to local small businesses.
Six computers have been installed for the first phase of the project, which forms part of the Joburg 2030 strategy, the City of Johannesburg's long-term plan to develop the city's economy over the next three decades.
"The project aims to implement and replicate an innovative communications infrastructure and develop capacity within the community by providing relevant information content to support sustainable development", says community ICT specialist
Chris Morris.
Training in information technology is a crucial part of the project: 12 people from Orange Farm - from a list of 60 applicants - have already been selected for lessons in computer literacy and business skills, starting with basic courses in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
"There is so much talent that we would like to expand the training to other community members, but we need more support from partners", says Morris.
"After these initial courses, which are set to end in early August, the candidates will be divided into two groups: one will specialise in Web content development and the other will concentrate on business skills", says Morris.
Existing small businesses in Orange Farm will also be selected for ICT training.
Morris says the training will create links to entrepreneurs and established ICT businesses.
"Once training has been completed, additional satellite sites will be created to link small businesses in
proximity to the hub using wireless technology."
Part of the plan is to attract manufacturing and services firms to Orange Farm. However, this will require partnerships with established ICT companies and other small business initiatives.
"One idea is to establish a refurbishment business which will supply personal computers to schools", Morris says. "This would offer an opportunity to develop ICT skills from the grassroots."
Source: City of Johannesburg
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