The East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ), in partnership with Microsoft South Africa (SA), recently handed over a R550,000 state-of-the-art community-based digital computer laboratory at Umtiza High School, situated in the Fort Grey area on the outskirts of East London.
The computer laboratory donation represents ELIDZ’s first phase of a five-year corporate social investment (CSI) initiative aimed at supporting five selected schools in the Buffalo City region.
This pioneering initiative was facilitated through the office of the Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane, and led by the ELIDZ in partnership with Microsoft SA and Diviare, an ICT business, aimed at boosting digital literacy, bridging the digital divide, and empowering youth in the Eastern Cape.
The ELIDZ contributed R200,000, while Microsoft SA provided R350,000 towards the project.
The innovative digital computer lab is fully equipped with 30 laptops, internet connectivity, and backup power, creating a hub of technological advancement and educational opportunity for Umtiza High School learners.
In her keynote address, Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) MEC Nonkqubela Pieters appealed to community members to safeguard and protect the state-of-the-art facility and urged ELIDZ to extend its CSI initiative to benefit learners and communities in deep rural areas to ensure broader access to digital literacy across the region.
ELIDZ board of directors’ chairperson, Professor Mlungisi Makhalima, highlighted the zone’s longstanding relationship with Umtiza High School and expressed their willingness for future projects aimed at youth development in the province.
“The ELIDZ is proud to partner with Umtiza High School as we work towards equipping young people with the skills to actively participate in technology-driven industries. As we transition towards electric vehicles, this project expands our skills pool, preparing our youth to enter the automotive and other technology-intensive sectors,” said Makhalima.
Microsoft SA’s Asif Valley said they were honoured to support ELIDZ and Umtiza High and made a commitment to support youth from disadvantaged communities.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to explore technology, and with these skills, we will be able to navigate confidently even when we reach university level,” said Umtiza High Grade 11 learner, Lorna Fredderiks.
The programme will provide digital literacy training to 90 Grade 11 learners, and upon completion, each learner will receive a digital literacy certificate.
The project includes accredited training opportunities for educators to improve teaching quality through technology integration.
