Siyafunda welcomes its new equipment
The South African Muslim Charitable Trust donated R 660,000 worth of information and communications technology (ICT) equipment to the local NPC Siyafunda Community Technology Centre to help transfer digital skills to children, unemployed youth and adults from disadvantaged communities.
Siyafunda welcomes its new equipment Katlehong-based NPC Siyafunda Community Technology Centre was thrilled to receive a much-deserved donation of ICT equipment, valued at R660 000, at 72 Celtis Street, Palm Ridge, Katlehong.
The equipment was officially launched on February 21 by donors from the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT).
It included 10 Android tablets, 10 computer numerical control machines, 10 LEGO robotics kits, unplugged coding kits, a laser cutter, a 3D printer, Play Station Five and eSports games.
They also received as two pieces of virtual reality equipment, 20 headsets and mics, drawing tablets, smart home micro bit kits, micro bits, McQueen robot kits, 10 Arduino kits, 10 Raspberry Pi pico kits, three drones, five programmable bluebot robots, Dremell and soldering equipment.
It enabled the centre to continue to bridge the digital gap in underprivileged townships and rural communities that face the risk of falling behind, due to the lack of access to adequate ICT training and fourth industrial revolution technology.
Siyafunda was established in 2006 and its training has become more practical, needing high-tech tools to provide its clients with the most recent skills required by business and industry.
But before the recent equipment handover, the nonprofit organisation faced a significant obstacle: it lacked the financial strength to obtain the necessary equipment and the ability to close the digital divide with appropriate instructional programs, tools and equipment.
SAMCT representative Farouk Bayat said there was a growing need to accelerate skills development and align individuals to industry requirements across all sectors in South Africa. Siyafunda’s work has already benefitted thousands of children, unemployed youth and adults but it came up against a seemingly insurmountable equipment barrier to providing critical ICT and business skills to expand and enhance its portfolio of programmes and interventions.
“Despite accomplishing so much on a limited budget, Siyafunda recognised that the full impact of its training and development would only be achieved if its skills programmes could be effectively supported with relevant equipment capable of providing necessary practical hands-on experience,” said Bayat.
“Given the importance of ICT training in the digital era in which we live today, the SAMCT was pleased to donate the required equipment to Siyafunda,” he said.
The SAMCT was founded in 2008 from a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al Baraka Bank, for the creation, marketing and distribution of a suite of shariah funds.
The organisation provides funding, services and other resources to improve the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has provided substantial assistance solutions across South Africa, irrespective of race or religion, focusing on healthcare, social development, poverty alleviation and education.
“Our equipment donation will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in ensuring that people are not left behind or excluded from partaking in the digital economy.
“This equipment will add great value to the centre’s existing programmes and give effect to a superior learning experience and enriched outcomes.
“This move unlocks the prospect of beneficiaries being mentored, groomed and presented with potential career pathways.” Bayat noted.
Siyadunda focuses to provide access to digital skills and technologies to support grass-roots and marginalized communities in rural and urban townships across South Africa and to support economic, educational and social development. While contributing to reducing isolation, bridging the digital divide and creating economic opportunities for youth, women, the disabled, school learners and the unemployed.
The donation of equipment, according to Thabiso Naleli, the coordinator of internal and external communication at Siyafunda, intends to augment the services that are deficient in the townships by expanding their service offerings for the community and efficiently use this technology.
He stated these services and training will be made available at the grassroots level, taking into consideration skills that are in high demand, such as laser cutting, drones, and 3D printing, among others.
“These services will enable young people to develop their own skills and open doors to entrepreneurship opportunities.”
