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Eastern Cape youth to benefit from Telkom ICT Lab

Engcobo, Eastern Cape – 13 October 2023 - As part of ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide by providing tech-driver education, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Hon. Mondli Gungubele, today unveiled a state-of-the-art ICT Laboratory at Nyanga High School in the Eastern Cape.

The ICT Lab, built through the Telkom Foundation's Connected Schools programme, is expected to empower more than learners, teachers and unemployed youth around the Engcobo with the ICT skills and devices they need to thrive in this increasingly digitalised world.

Telkom is the backbone of South Africa's digital future through its network infrastructure which provides an unrivalled footprint of connectivity across the country, including in rural areas which are largely under-served. By driving digital connectivity through the country Telkom's mission is to unlock the full potential of South Africa's digital economy and we are delivering on this mission by connecting more businesses – big and small – as well as more schools, more homes and more individuals.

"Part of what called meaningful connectivity is that one of the primary objectives of this lab is that it must produce SMMEs because they are foundational start for developmental states to go to greater heights, this lab must produce innovators and make us a leader in technological development and innovation." Said Minister Gungubele.

"Moreover, we want to focus on women development in terms of technology, women have always been at the centre of many success stories, but patriarchy has always put them at the back, equally with young people and black people in particular, and in so doing it delayed the potential for our country to grow in terms of technology. We strive to put particular focus on young people because digital economy is young people's economy." Adds the Minister

"Our aim is to help expand the establishment of smart schools. Since setting up the Connected Schools programme in 2017, we have supported over 7 000 high school learners and teachers in 21 schools across Eastern Cape and Gauteng," says Dr Mmaki Jantjies, Group Executive: Innovation & Transformation at Telkom.

"It is a holistic approach that offers first-rate learner academic support, psychosocial support, and introduction to basic digital skills as well as maths, science and English education. At the same time, we are fast-tracking access to digital labs in rural communities," Dr Jantjies adds.

The lab will strengthen the partnership between district education officials, subject advisors, teachers and school principals, in support of creating a caring environment for learners.

The lab will boast of the following equipment:

• The CAP devices, which give access to digital content through local WiFi connectivity, thus reducing the need for data.


• The N-Computing lab, which provide which provide efficient computing technology, while at the same time offering better manageability, power usage, security and performance.


• The Server, which stores, sends, receives and processes data, which includes setting access control and rights of users on the network. It also stores and gives access to additional educational content.


• The 65" interactive touch screens for classrooms, allowing teachers to broadcast and record lessons, as well as conduct interactive simulations in the classroom.

"The lab is envisioned to enhance teaching and learning in the school and also become a community resource for accessing digital skills through the internet connectivity that is provided in conjunction with the cyber lab infrastructure," Dr Jantjies concluded.

ENDS

About Telkom

Telkom SA SOC Ltd is a leading information and communications technology services provider in South Africa. Our mission is to seamlessly connect people to a better life. We carry this through in all our brands, whether at the consumer, business, or wholesale level.

Telkom consists of the following business units: BCX, an end-to-end digital solutions provider; connectivity and wholesale division Openserve; Telkom Consumer and Small Business and property company Gyro.