24 July 2003

Kaizer Chiefs, one of South Africa's top soccer teams, are making an impact beyond the football pitch by linking up with a major computer corporation to help small companies access the world of electronic business.

Chiefs and computer specialists Acer have launched a Cyber Centre in Johannesburg to help smaller entrepreneurs conduct business electronically.

The centre, situated in Stannic House, Gandhi Square, offers e-mailing and e-banking facilities so that small enterprises can access clients and partners electronically, "making them more cost- and time-effective".

A computer-training centre where people can learn computer and information technology skills is also available.

"The aim of the initiative is to empower individuals on a large scale," said Acer marketing manager Stella Helwick. By growing small, macro and medium enterprises, Acer aims to "make a positive contribution to the growth of our country".

Helwick said she hoped that a large number of people would use the Cyber Centre "to become computer literate, enjoy the benefits of IT, and gain administration skills".

The centre also has special offers for Chiefs supporters, and there are plans to extend the project. "Our vision," said Kaizer Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung, "is to roll out similar centres for all our supporters nationally."

Chiefs and Acer spent more then two years developing the Cyber Centre project, evaluating partners and services. "We need to harness the power of IT and make it work for us to create profitability," Motaung said.

The IT training will also be extended to Chiefs players. "The players won't be able to make a living from soccer indefinitely, and a number of the players have looked at IT as a possible career after retiring from the game."

The Cyber Centre will "give people a chance to get some IT training and find out if they are suited to a career in this area", Motaung added.

The Chiefs Acer Cyber Centre can be contacted on (011) 833 8848.

Source: City of Johannesburg website

	Kaizer Chiefs