MTN connects 15 schools in Nkonkobe District Municipality

“Quality education is the surest and most sustainable way to break cycles of poverty and provide young people with a brighter future,” said Eunice Maluleke, Head of MTN SA Foundation, at the launch of media centre in Jabavu High School, in Alice.

As part of its commitment to investing in and empowering the communities in which it operates, MTN, through its Foundation, unveiled its school-based development programmes at the Jabavu High School, in Eastern Cape, Alice.

As one of the most under-resourced regions in Eastern Cape, government has identified the Nkonkobe district in which the school operates as a key area for socio-economic development, and was the first to receive the MTN Foundation support in the province.

“In 2009 alone, we have invested around R56 million in the six provinces selected, with R9 million going into the community of Eastern Cape. We further commit to invest an extra R18 million into the community of Eastern Cape in the next two years,” said MTN Head, Eunice Maluleke.

During 2009/2010, 15 schools were identified, renovated and set up as fully fledged media centres - this included 15 computer workstations, 300 computers, 30 printers, 15 data projectors, 15 interactive white boards, 15 DStv/Dishes and 45 data cards. The teaching and learning support programme saw 50 educators from 25 schools and six curriculum advisors receiving training on the Numeracy, Maths, Science and Technology during 2009.

MTN SA Foundation has embarked on an integrated socio-economic development approach, in which education, arts and culture, health and entrepreneurship initiatives are being implemented in the Nkonkobe District municipality to foster development among the communities.

An entrepreneurial culture is inculcated in schools, as learners are provided with the necessary training through the Entrepreneurship Portfolio. The Arts and Culture Portfolio leverages the relationships built with schools through the education initiatives, in order to improve arts and culture educator training.

“The MTN SA Foundation's integrated development strategy seeks to deliver maximum benefit to selected cluster communities in the six provinces - with Eastern Cape being one of the beneficiaries. The MTN SA Foundation announcement is in line with its commitment to being a leader in connecting communities for self-reliance.

“Our education projects are closely aligned to MTN SA's core business as a telecommunications leader and seek to support the Department of Education's priorities. State-of-the-art ICT centres provide learners in remote rural communities with access to the latest technology, and our outreach programme enhances the capacity of existing science centres so they can reach more learners. The infrastructure and capacity built around schools is intended to benefit the entire community, the members of which all have access to the facilities at the schools,” continued Eunice.

Poverty is one of the biggest problems facing the Foundation's beneficiary communities, all of which exhibit a pressing need for economic development. Lack of infrastructure and nearby industry means that entrepreneurship provides the best opportunity for job creation and the development of a vibrant local economy. The Entrepreneurship portfolio aims to create a culture of self-reliance among community members by providing small businesses with the skills, mentorship, support and capacity development to succeed in the critical first years following start-up.

“In keeping with the Foundation's whole community focus, entrepreneurship benefits all community members, including school-going youth who are exposed to entrepreneurial opportunities, and the local community, who have access to business support and multimedia centres,” concluded Eunice.