Telkom and ABSA collaborate on CSI initiative

A partnership between Telkom and ABSA has seen the delivery of two fully equipped mobile audio visual libraries to two schools in Soweto, Johannesburg.

The two corporates already have a history of collaboration on Corporate Social Investment initiatives specific to the Africa Technology programme. To this end ABSA is currently involved in a learnership programme within the two schools: Tetelo Secondary School and the Sebetsa Secondary School.

Telkom saw the opportunity of supporting the work done by ABSA and further enhancing the impact in these schools by donating two mobile audio visual libraries and internet connectivity valued at R120 000 each.

The mobile audio visual libraries include the following technology items: a flat screen TV, a DVD player, three laptops and 24 months free Telkom Mobile Internet connectivity.

Additionally each library contains 1000 books of which 100 books are published in indigenous languages. Every library also includes 30 DVDs such as BBC Planet Earth, The Wonders collection and Jock of the Bushveld. The laptops are also loaded with educational software such as Encyclopaedia Britannica and South African Encyclopaedia.

Each library is a mobile unit on wheels for easy exchange between classrooms in the schools. The library is also easily converted into a computer lab and contains three lab chairs for easy access and use of the laptops.

Sarah Mthintso, Head of the Telkom Foundation says “this joint initiative with ABSA puts the philosophy of contributing to the greater good of South Africa, through collaboration, into action and the Telkom Foundation is proud to be a part of what is undoubtedly a value-adding enterprise.”

Emile Burger, Managing Principal in Africa Technology at Barclays Africa, said “We are responsible corporate citizens contributing significantly to the communities within which we operate. One of our key aspirations is to leave things better than when we found it. This initiative is part of our Make a Difference campaign to impact the lives of our young people empowering them with life skills, financial skills and enterprise skills. Investing in and developing skills of young people and creating a better world for our youth through this programme is at the heart of our Citizenship approach.”

Mthintso notes that such partnerships are not new to Telkom and points several recent examples of collaborative efforts.

“We partner with the Central University of Technology on an Educator Mentorship and Development Programme. Another example is our partnership with the Department of Basic Education to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in rural schools by providing computers, interactive boards and ICT training for educators. Up to now we have now donated computers and connected more than 700 schools to the internet.”

Mthintso also referred to the Foundation’s partnership with Mindset Network to provide digital Maths and Science content that is aligned to the curriculum. She also highlighted further partnership with the Department of Basic Education to ICT and Literacy Mobile units to schools.

“These partnerships to resource schools stems from our unwavering belief that ICT can realise a myriad of benefits for both teacher and learner. We simply cannot sidestep the fact that we have to equip future generations for a knowledge-based society. We have to produce knowledge workers. We have to develop digitally literate citizens. The future demands it,” Mthintso concluded.