An African adage, "umntu ngumntu ngabantu", rang true for Vuselela Combined School in the Eastern Cape, when the school benefitted from a brand new computer centre from Vodacoms Yebo Millionaires game show, screened in South Africa on SABC 1.
p>An African adage, "umntu ngumntu ngabantu", rang true for Vuselela Combined School in the Eastern Cape, when the school benefitted from a brand new computer centre from Vodacoms Yebo Millionaires game show, screened in South Africa on SABC 1.
In March 2010, a fully equipped computer centre consisting of 10 general workstations plus a server, a printer and cartridge, and educational software, was handed over to the school by representatives of the Vodacom customer loyalty programme.
A nomination by a community member and subsequent support from many more, will ensure that hundreds of learners stand a better chance of uplifting themselves and their community, following this gift.
Principal of the school Mthunzi Tukwayo said that he was very excited about seeing the computer centre up and running because some of the children had never touched or seen a computer.
"We are ecstatic about being able to give our children this opportunity thanks to Vodacom's Yebo Millionaires. This is a big thing for them," he exclaimed.
On the night of the draw Tukwayo wasn't at home to watch the show but the next morning, he was greeted by overjoyed staff and students. Tukwayo has been with the school since 1998 and says that ever since its opening it has not been possible to build a computer centre for the children attending Vuselela.
Vuselela Combined School is a school of approximately 700 primary and high school learners. Originally a farm school, it became a public school in 1994 when the municipality upgraded it as part of a community based public works programme. Tukwayo explained that other schools in the area have been privileged to have access to computers and that he always wished that he could provide that kind of technological education to his learners. Vuselela is planning to introduce computer studies as a subject and will use some of the already-trained staff to help the children learn all about computers.
The school is situated in the midst of a poor community and, as the public also lacks the technological recourses, Tukwayo wants to look into the possibility of extending computer access to the surrounding community. For the time being it will be used for learners and school staff only.
Anyone can nominate a school to receive a computer centre in the Yebo Millionaires Game Show: he or she simply calls 082-24-32082 and gives details to the agent. An application form is faxed to the principal of the school, who must complete and return it to qualify for the lucky draw.
