In a major boost for rural education, Telkom has partnered with the Eastern Cape Department of Education to bridge the digital divide at Sitoza Senior Secondary School. The initiative officially relaunched the school’s ICT laboratory with a handover of 30 laptops and 30 MiFi connectivity devices, each equipped with preloaded SIM cards and data packages.
The intervention provides crucial digital access to a school celebrated for its grit, determination, and consistent academic excellence. This handover builds on a transformative year for Sitoza, following the redevelopment of its campus unveiled by Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane in January.
Lerato Mostoeneng, Managing Executive: Telkom Business, emphasized the private sector’s role in building a digital future. “Today, the need for businesses to play a meaningful role in society has never been greater. As a company helping to provide the backbone of South Africa’s digital future through our extensive connectivity footprint, including in largely underserved rural areas. We believe in the potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) to unlock significant digital opportunities.”
This intervention is part of Telkom’s broader Connected Schools Programme, which has invested in ICT resource centres, bursaries, and teacher training across the country. It also contributes to the over R100 million invested by the private sector in basic education since 2020.
Judy Vilakazi, Head of Telkom Foundation, stressed the importance of starting within the education system. “The reality is that we cannot begin to meaningfully talk or plan for future digital workforces without first building digital capability within the education ecosystem. We are thrilled to be able to share in this school’s new beginning and to play a role in empowering learners with the tools and connectivity they need to succeed in a digital world.”
The event, attended by parents, educators, and community members, highlighted the collective effort to uplift the school. Provincial MEC for Education, Fundile Gade, welcomed Telkom’s dedication to equipping students and teachers for modern learning environments.
SGB Chairperson, Mr Malusi Madyolo, expressed the community’s gratitude. “This donation means a great deal to us as a community and as parents. It gives our children access to the tools and skills they need to learn, grow and build brighter futures.”
For the educators on the ground, the new lab represents a fundamental shift in how they can teach.Mphathiswa Rhubushe, ICT teacher, noted its profound impact. “We are so grateful for the support shown for the work we do. This lab will make a big difference in how we teach and how our learners engage with their studies. Access to technology allows us to introduce new ways of thinking, research, and collaboration. Ultimately, it also helps shape new ways of being and experiencing the world.”
