A free computer course that was publicised to be hosted by the NG Church Witpoortjie and Westgate Absa is making some of the unhappy course goers want to reach for the delete button.
According to one of the attendees, Deborah Parkinson more than one attendee are extremely dismayed at the way the course is run. Parkinson, as well as other attendees, first gripe is the fact that the course was advertised as free yet on arrival they were told they have to pay R70 per module of which there are nine. She says the organiser/tutor Reverend William Massaguoi explained that ABSA only sponsors the “academics and not the modules”. Parkinson also says although it was advertised that there will be 125 working computers, three to four students have to share a computer. According to her not all students received study material and some even had to photocopy modules. Another attendee says they were asked to write exams on work they have not been tutored in yet.
Most of the complainants also alleges that since the classes started on 31 January they only learned how to “underline, write in bold and cursive letters and how to insert shapes.” Another attendee says there was no record keeping of the R70 module fees and that Massaguoi “just stuffed the money into his pockets.”
The final straw for the disgruntled group of course goers came when during a recent class load shedding occurred. According to some of the students Beyan proceeded to tell them his life story and afterwards told them do divide into groups of four and clean the toilets, windows and floors. A group of the students walked out.
Massaguoi, who allegedly hails from Libia and speaks with a heavy accent, told the Record there are enough computers but some of them need to be upgraded. As far as the cleaning is concerned he says he sees no problem with this since the church is doing him and the students a favour by offering their premises for the classes. Massaguoi did not comment elaborately but invited the Record to the next class to clarify matters.
Dr Japie Steyn, the current dominee at the church could not be reached for comment but was asked via email to do so.
