Computainer launched in Mannenberg

Microsoft South Africa, in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Education, the Universal Services Agency and Eclipse Networks, has launched a computainer at Edendale Primary School in Mannenberg, Cape Town.

The computainer, which is a 12m container converted to house a fully functional computer centre, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology bringing learners and members of the community access to technology and an opportunity to develop computer skills.

"Through this initiative we hope to help the scholars of Edendale Primary and the greater Mannenberg community to realise their potential as individuals," says Ashley de Klerk, public sector director at Microsoft South Africa.

"By making technology more accessible to as many individuals as possible through initiatives such as these, we hope to make a real difference to people`s lives and empower South Africans to build their own future."

"Given the site location, the timing of school holidays and delays in resolving issues such as providing power to the computainer, this project was challenging," says Sean Nienaber, technical project manager at Eclipse Networks.

"In comparison to a typical corporate installation, the environment presented some interesting obstacles - but nothing that we could not address."

In addition to the provision of access to technology, the Department of Education in the Western Cape, through its Khanya Project, also provided the computainer with chairs, security gates and an alarm system - aimed at assisting the school with much needed resources.

"We believe that innovative solutions for bringing access and opportunity to communities throughout the country, will contribute to a radical improvement in our society - allowing people to enhance their education and thereby to contribute to a better life for all," concludes Dr Sam Gulube, CEO of Universal Services Agency.

"The Khanya Project aims to deliver on our mission to provide every school with access to computers and technology literacy by 2012 and we have to date - through a series of public-private partnerships - already established computer labs in 320 disadvantaged schools in our province. To us - it is more than just providing the hardware and software, we also facilitate training for our educators to assist with the teaching of Mathematics, English, Literacy and Numeracy." - Charles Pierce, project manager at Western Cape Department of Education.

"We cannot help but be left with residual feelings of optimism for our children`s future. Projects of this nature engender motivation and encourage the private sector to continually ask how it can contribute to educating our children." - Ana Stark, Microsoft business manager at Eclipse Networks.

"While learning has changed for students in this new century, we are emboldened by the boundless opportunity it presents. At no time more than in this information age, has education been more important or transformational. And by making technology more accessible to as many individuals as possible through partnerships such as this, we hope to make a real difference to people`s lives and empower South Africans to build their own future." - Ashley de Klerk, public sector director at Microsoft South Africa.