A state-of-the-art multimedia centre in the rural high school, Isikhumbuzo in Orange Farm, was officially opened today by the chairman of Bytes Technology Group (BTG) and the Altron Group, Dr Bill Venter.
The BTG/Altron Multimedia Centre, featuring some of the world`s best in class, high-speed computers and information research facilities in the country, was made possible through the combined efforts of the companies within Altron, Bytes Technology, Powertech and Altech groups as well as significant donations from Incredible Connection and mobile operator MTN.
As part its social responsibility framework going forward, BTG is committed to assisting deserving projects in various communities in previously disadvantaged areas. The Isikhumbuzo High School is the first of a series of projects to be explored by the group as its contribution towards bridging the digital divide within SA.
"There are a significant number of communities in our country that need a hand in fast-tracking them into the 21st century and providing them with access to the technologies many of us are exposed to on a daily basis. Together with significant support and funding from Altron, technology provided by Altech, electrical installations via companies within Powertech, donations and help from Aid Africa, Incredible Connection, Microsoft and MTN, BTG has managed to put together a world-class multimedia centre at the school, as good, if not better, than any commercially established centre," states Skip Franzsen, Group Human Resources Manager at BTG and chairman of the BTG Transformation committee.
Isikhumbuzo High School at Orange Farm now has 38 new top of the range computers, all networked with enhanced multimedia capability. BTG division, Bytes Technology Networks (BTN), has furthermore undertaken to maintain the computers and network infrastructure via a two-year maintenance contract.
At the official opening of the centre, Dr Bill Venter said: "What has been established here at Isikhumbuzo School is far more than just another multimedia centre; it is a facility that gives the school and the Orange Farm community the capacity to 'bridge the digital divide`. By ensuring the sustainability of the multimedia centre over the next two years, we as a group are firmly committed to 'bridging the digital and technical divide` in Orange Farm and its environs."
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