The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) is to give the Nompumelo Primary School of Mdantsane in East London a giant technological leap by donating R25 000 worth of computer resources.

It’s a first for both the corporation and school; it being the corporation’s first computer donation and the school’s first computers. The donation has provided a huge thrill for primary school’s 230 learners who come from one of the poorest parts of Mdantsane in East London.

ECDC IT Head Prakash Odhav says the ECDC’s donation was made in collaboration with one of its premier local technology suppliers, CHM Vuwani, with whom it has a long standing business partnership and who also subscribes to the goals of black economic empowerment.

Both agree that this donation helps learners cross the digital divide and assists the school in accessing technology.

Odhav and CHM Vuwani’ s regional managing director Doug Copeland say exposure to computers and acquiring basic computer literacy skills “could mark the first step towards entrepreneurship for the learners as this type of learning provides a catalyst for acquiring essential life skills”.

“Computers help pupils to learn at their own pace, provide unlimited sources of information and motivation for students of all ages. Technology is a powerful learning medium. Now students will learn to gather information, organise their thinking, revise their work, collaborate on projects with others, and present knowledge to audiences in the classroom,” says Odhav.

Nompumelo Primary School principal Mr Xape says initially the computers, which were installed in June, are being used by the Grade 7 pupils in hour-long sessions in order to familiarize them with computer skills in preparation for high school.

Mr Xape and another teacher, who are receiving ICDL training from the provincial Department of Education, are helping learners acquire basic typing skills.

These lessons are to be further augmented with monthly visits from CHM Vuwani who has adopted the school and who will help pupils to continually improve their PC literacy skills.

“This is a wonderful donation and the whole school is excited. Now our children are anxious to get more computers and expand their use of technology in their studies and so that more children can get involved.”

It is expected, that in time and budgets allowing, similar donations may be made.

Celebrating the ECDC/ CHM Vuwani computer donation at the Nompumelo Primary School of Mdantsane in East London are Grade 7 learners Yonela Molose and Ayanda Nkomo together with (behind from left) CHM Vuwani Computer Solutions branch manager Thandi Mafani, CHM Vuwani/First Technology regional managing director Doug Copland, Nompumelo Primary School principal Mr Xape and ECDC IT head Prakash Odhav.