T-Systems empowers the Emalahleni community with donation of laptops, software and training to NGOs

By Phumeza Tontsi for T-Systems
Johannesburg, 19 Mar 2014

T-Systems event at Witbank - IT equipment handover.

T-Systems in South Africa is empowering the community of Emalahleni, near Witbank, Mpumalanga, with the donation of 38 laptops including software, accessories and training, to 19 local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This corporate social investment (CSI) venture forms part of T-Systems' ASGISA (Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa) commitments around the building of the Kusile power plant in the Emalahleni region.

ASGISA is a national initiative supported by key groups in the local economy, including businesses such as T-Systems. The programme is aimed at empowering local communities and trying to reduce unemployment and poverty. As part of the Kusile P22 project, Eskom identified 19 NGOs in the region in need of support.

Says Gert Schoonbee, Managing Director at T-Systems in South Africa: "As a major supplier of Eskom, we are proud to be a part of the Kusile P22 initiative. Furthermore, it is aligned perfectly with our own focus on skills development, empowerment and the creation of sustainable business success. Donating equipment will actively assist these NGO's with crucial technology."

To ensure they receive maximum value from the solutions, T-Systems will provide full training on the equipment donated.

"Technology is critical in bridging the digital divide and in creating and growing sustainable businesses in the local economy. We are privileged to have this opportunity to provide access to technology for the NGOs, but to also empower their staff with skills and training that will enable people to become skilled resources for the future," adds Schoonbee.

"We at T-Systems are passionate about skills development and community empowerment, and the ethos of working together to achieve sustainable economic growth is embedded in our organisation. For many organisations, CSI is simply part of the mandate of a project, but for us it is a chance to make a real and lasting impression on the communities we work in. We thank the T-Systems Kusile P22 project team for its effort on this CSI project," he concludes.

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Deutsche Telekom

Deutsche Telekom is one of the world's leading integrated telecommunications companies with over 142 million mobile customers, 31 million fixed-network lines and more than 17 million broadband lines (as of December 31, 2013). The Group provides fixed network, mobile communications, Internet and IPTV products and services for consumers and ICT solutions for business customers and corporate customers. Deutsche Telekom is present in around 50 countries and has approximately 229 000 employees worldwide. The Group generated revenues of EUR 60.1 billion in the 2013 financial year - more than half of it outside Germany.

T-Systems

Drawing on a global infrastructure of data centers and networks, T-Systems operates information and communication technology (ICT) systems for multinational corporations and public sector institutions. T-Systems provides integrated solutions for the networked future of business and society. Some 50 000 employees at T-Systems combine industry expertise and ICT innovations to add significant value to the digitization strategies and core business of customers all over the world. T-Systems generated revenue of around EUR 9.5 billion in the 2013 financial year.

Since the inception of T-Systems in South Africa in 1997, the company has cemented its position as one of the most successful T-Systems companies outside of Europe. A leading ICT outsourcing service provider locally, T-Systems offers end-to-end ICT solutions in both the ICT operations and systems integration markets. Their extensive portfolio of services covers the vertical, horizontal, IT and TC space. T-Systems South Africa's head office is located in Midrand with another major office in Cape Town, and 20 further representative offices in locations throughout southern Africa.

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