Responsible companies are those that invest in the communities within which they operate. Given this fact, Business Connexion has shown its commitment to the Eastern Cape by assisting schools in the area with various information technology (IT) projects.
Jubilee Park Primary, with its estimated 1 200 scholars, was the grateful recipient of 18 computers sponsored and networked by Business Connexion. The school, which had no IT facilities to speak of, now has a fully functional computer centre, thanks to the investment made by Business Connexion in concert with an Eastern Cape-based automotive manufacturer.
Kobus Gerber, regional chief executive of Business Connexion Port Elizabeth, says: "This project really warmed our hearts. It was amazing to see the delight on the teachers`, parents` and children`s faces when they saw their new computer centre."
However, this is not the first time that Business Connexion Port Elizabeth has been involved in a social responsibility project. Favouring the youth with its attentions, the company was also instrumental in creating the "Schools Project Eastern Cape".
Born in the company`s boardroom in Port Elizabeth, the Schools Project Eastern Cape aimed at ensuring that more students from previously disadvantaged communities will in time become involved in IT.
With this in mind, the Business Connexion team decided to take IT into the townships. Numerous students were identified and interviewed after which seven were selected to participate in the project. The students were asked to exchange their holiday time for the opportunity to be exposed to the world of technology.
After being introduced to the Business Connexion staff, the students were informed they would have to keep a diary of their daily experiences. "It was amazing to see the progress that took place over the days that followed," says Gerber.
One of the first projects the students undertook was to learn how to assemble computers. Upon completion, these computers were donated to their respective schools.
"The students were then introduced to the Internet, something they had never experienced before. Learning how to use Microsoft software packages was next on the list and the students particularly enjoyed PowerPoint," he says.
During their stay at Business Connexion the students were introduced to all aspects of the company`s business. "This was followed by visits to clients and the odd factory tour, something they also found very interesting.
"The students gave regular feedback to their respective schools on what they had experienced, but the highlight for them was when their parents and teachers visited Business Connexion`s offices for a demonstration and PowerPoint presentation to see firsthand what the students had achieved," he adds.
Gerber emphasises the importance of social investments such as these. He concludes that students who are given opportunities like this might one day become employees in the ICT sector, thus enabling companies such as Business Connexion to achieve transformation targets at a more rapid rate. Business Connexion prides itself on its transformation track record.
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Business Connexion (Pty) Ltd is one of the largest black empowered ICT companies on the African continent and has a track record spanning 25 years. The company, previously known as Comparex Africa, showed its commitment to transformation in April 2004 when it joined forces with black empowered company, Business Connexion, and changed its name to that of its 25.01% shareholder. The company is a leading integrator of innovative business solutions based on ICT.
It employs over 4 000 people, 27% of who are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. It has offices in all provinces in SA and runs mission-critical ICT systems and manages products, services and solutions for many JSE-listed organisations, key public sector organisations, parastatals and a host of medium-sized emergent companies.
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