Tech centre for Limpopo schools
Kulani Mavunda
8 October 2004
The Buffelshoek Education Trust has set up a community technology and learning centre connecting three rural schools in Bushbuckridge in Limpopo province.
The centre, which has 20 computers, was opened at Mahlathi High School in Hluvukani. Manyangana High School and Shiviti Primary School in nearby Utha village received five computers each.
The technology and learning centre includes software and training for the teachers, according to Campbell Scott of Djuma Game Reserve, the founding members of the Buffelshoek Education Trust.
The trust, which also includes Microsoft South Africa, The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum, other corporations and government departments, is aimed at initiating development projects in communities along the reserve's borders.
"The idea is to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and to make a difference in the lives of people of South Africa", said Scott, adding that the donors
did not expect anything in return from the community, only a commitment to take care of the facilities and to use the centre to develop their technological knowledge.
He said the computers and software would be upgraded when necessary.
The trust, which has received donations totalling R1-million, has also undertaken other development projects in communities surrounding the reserve. These include installing boreholes in the Utha and Dixie communities and installing electricity at the three schools, as well as upgrading the schools' classrooms, administration blocks, fencing and furniture.
The trust also spends between R4 000 and R6 000 per month funding a community crèche, and has set aside R200 000 to build a creche in the village of Dixie.
Meanwhile, learners from Balvenie Primary School in Elsies River on the Cape Flats became the proud owners of a brand new computer room on Friday, thanks to a government-private sector partnership.
The Lunabile
company in Cape Town sponsored the computer room to the tune of R200 000, equipped it with 17 laptops and printers, after a plea was made on a local radio station.
Source: BuaNews
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