MTN Foundation pledges multimedia centre

Rustenburg - MTN SA Foundation, together with the National Department of Communications, has donated a multimedia centre to the Bakgofa Primary School, in Rustenburg, this Tuesday, to support the new initiative by the Department.

The media centre will serve the students at the school with the latest computer software and Internet connectivity. MTN has already installed 20 computers, with printers and as well as data projectors.

MTN SA Head of legal Fusi Mokoena spoke at the launch, and said: “MTN SA is heavily involved in the development of rural communities through the MTN Foundation. We are here today as MTN Foundation to plant yet another seed in this province, as part of the series of investments that the Foundation will be devoting to in the coming years.

“This is in line with the Foundation's commitment to beinga leader in connecting communities for self-reliance,” Mokoena added.

“Schools provide a natural entry point into communities, which is why we implement education projects first. They allow us to build relationships with key community stakeholders, including learners, young people, parents, educators, and community members and leaders.”

The MTN Foundation's integrated development strategy seeks to deliver maximum benefit to selected cluster communities in six provinces - with North West being one of the beneficiaries. Interventions include providing schools with technology-based teaching and learning aids; enhancing the outreach of existing science centres; establishing interactive tele-teaching technology platforms; and developing the capacity and institutional infrastructure of schools.

The donation currently falls under the 'Reclaiming our future through ICT' programme developed by the department. The programme aims to provide computers, connectivity and school uniforms to needy and underserviced schools.

Deputy Minister of Communications: Honourable Stella Tembisa Ndanebi, said: “The programme will be launched strategically in this month as we observe world Aids Day, and it will be rolled out in various phases in the coming year of 2012.”