In affirmation of its local community empowerment agenda, Dell SA has donated a GX 50 Optiplex desktop to the United States-South Africa Leadership Development Programme (USSALEP) - a non-profit organisation dedicated to capacity building programmes for South African leaders.
Mandy Chinasamy, Executive Director of USSALEP, says its mission is to develop leaders who will enhance democratic values and quality of life at all levels of South African society by drawing on American and South African experiences and other resources.
The advent of USSALEP goes back to May 1955, when representatives of 11 religious, philanthropic, educational and cultural organisations met to discuss the importance of exchange programmes between SA and the US. USSALEP was founded in 1958 following the realisation that many South Africans and Americans share a commitment to inter-group understanding and the promotion of peaceful change.
One of USSALEP`s most prominent projects is the Skills Training and Development for Community Leaders Programme (STAD-CL). This programme is offered in association with Technikon SA and the Siyakhula Trust, which provide both training and certification.
"Our target group includes South Africans from all walks of life, fulfilling leadership roles on a variety of fronts, such as unions, local authorities, non-profit organisations, community-based organisations, religious and philanthropic organisations, youth groups, women`s groups, sports and cultural groups and small to medium businesses, among others," explains Chinasamy.
Upon completion of this programme, participants are expected to demonstrate competence in a range of leadership and management techniques, performed in a variety of contexts. In addition, they are expected to demonstrate applied understanding of development, strategy, change and associated fields.
This being a USSALEP programme, all administration is the responsibility of USSALEP, thus quality computers are vital. Says Chinasamy: "We have a relatively old computer network system in place and possess even older model PCs. However, in order to function effectively and efficiently, we had to upgrade at least one PC, thus the Dell desktop comes at an opportune moment."
Excel Shikwane, Executive Corporate Affairs at Dell SA, says Dell is committed to the greater South African community. "USSALEP has a proud history of equipping and assisting South African leaders and students. Dell believes in this cause and therefore decided to donate computer equipment to them."
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