IT infrastructure, solutions and services provider, Datacentrix, has donated R12 000 and 10 refurbished PCs to the Zifuneleni Junior Secondary School, a neglected school in the suburbs of Soweto, to assist it in improving its facilities.
The school, which can handle a capacity of 1 500 students, has only been able to contend with almost 650 as a result of the vandalism over the years, to the extent that the school had no windows or doors and even the roof had been damaged.
According to Zifuneleni Junior Secondary School principal, Michael Mangena, poor management was also to blame for the school`s decline. "At one stage, the Department of Education wanted to close the institute down but decided to appoint new management as a last attempt, which is when I joined as principal two years ago. The R12 000 donation from Datacentrix will be used to repair one of the school wings, which currently has no doors, windows, ceilings, electricity or proper toilet facilities. We have already begun to repair the window panes and are hoping to purchase new doors, handles and paint within the next few weeks."
The school also wants to use any remaining funds to stock the library, which has been set up in one of the classrooms. The PCs contributed will join the existing computer lab (previously donated by the SAPS), taking the computer total up to 28. Mangena says the 636 learners attending the school rotate in classes to use the lab, where they are being trained in word processing skills for the workplace.
According to Andile Mbulawa, account manager at Datacentrix, the previous year`s donation by Datacentrix went towards replacing broken windows. "The school is extremely well-run, the students well-disciplined and all donations are fully accounted for by the management. To see such an institution operate below capacity because of a lack of funds is very disappointing.
"With the donation of the PCs, we are hoping to make a meaningful contribution to the youth of SA, by providing additional opportunities for young learners to develop computer skills and literacy."
"Datacentrix has shown great faith in Zifuneleni, given the historical background of the school, and we are hoping to maintain this relationship in the years to come," adds Mangena. "Zifuneleni Junior Secondary School is well on the road to recovery and we would like to thank Datacentrix for its investment in our future."
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