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Alrapark learners Marcelle Clias and Brittany Lodewyk get acquainted with the Digital Doorway |
A commissioning ceremony held on 26 June 2008 at Almac Community Centre in Nigel marked the handing over of a Digital Doorway sponsored by Syngenta South Africa (Pty) Limited to the Alrapark community. The event was attended by hosts, Manjoh Ranch, members of the community, learners and representatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Meraka Institute of the CSIR.
The Digital Doorway aims to provide access to people who would not have the opportunity to use computer facilities. It encourages unassisted learning among both children and adults and promotes the acquisition of computer and information literacy.
Representing the DST at the ceremony, Dr Simphiwe Mini (General-Manager: Science and Technology for Social Impact) said, "It is a great pleasure to be a part of this public-private sector partnership. The DST wishes Syngenta every success going forward with all future installations."
Antonie Delport, Director of Syngenta and Kate Tucker, HR manager, Syngenta, both noted, "A successful partnership can only perform consistently at a high level when great people are powered by innovation. Syngenta is honoured and proud to be part of this great DST initiative. It has been brought to life through the efforts and dedication of the CSIR's Meraka Institute. With this partnership we hope to make everybody a part of the exciting journey to make South Africa, and especially the agricultural sector, a leader in knowledge, technology and sustainable food production in Africa."
Kagiso Chikane, centre manager of the Meraka Institute, encouraged both adults and learners to make good use of the content found on the Digital Doorway, "Read a book! We have put more than 10 000 books on it." She pointed out that its function as an information repository and a learning tool makes it an asset to any community.
The Digital Doorway at the Almac Community Centre is part of a strategy by Syngenta to promote human capital development in support of the agricultural sector. This sector is the second largest employer in South Africa and experiences a significant skills deficit. Initiatives such as the Digital Doorway will raise the image of agriculture, to both the government and the South African citizen, and allow the farmer to act as an ambassador for his local community.
Clarissa Clements, who heads the Almac Community Centre, is excited at the potential of the Digital Doorway to influence and encourage learners and adults in the immediate vicinity, "Four schools are within a one kilometre radius of this centre. These children started visiting the centre the minute the Digital Doorway was operational.
"We also find that adults and learners come from other parts of Nigel to visit. We see increased use during the times when learners require information for examinations and projects."
The four-seater Digital Doorway was originally located on Manjoh Range. Following the closure of the school on the da Costa family's ranch, owner Manny da Costa sponsored the moving of the Digital Doorway to Alrapark. "I was struck by the eagerness of the community and the youth in particular, who view this as a learning tool. I am confident that access to the Digital Doorway at the centre will be an empowering influence."
Syngenta plans to roll out so-called single seaters in the future at schools in the agricultural communities of KwaZulu-Natal as well as other provinces.
Enquiries: CSIR Communication
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