For many South Africans living in rural areas, water and education are the two most precious things in life. Unfortunately, reality often dictates that both aren’t available. Life changes dramatically, however, when the MTN SA Foundation arrives and delivers both.
For the community of Charlestown, outside Newcastle in Kwazulu Natal, the MTN Foundation has recently been behind three dramatic changes in their lives. The first was developing a 20-seater multimedia centre at the community centre to help bring ICT skills within the reach of learners, students and community members.
Following the presentation of the revamped community centre, which, in addition to the new multimedia centre was also transformed by newly tiled floors, repainted walls and enhanced security, came event number two – helping realise the IT dreams of 20 young residents by offering them a two-week basic computer skills course.
Third, and the most important for the entire community, was an investment of about R 445 000 by the MTN SA Foundation to drill and equip a borehole that is bringing life-sustaining water to the people living near the community centre.
To celebrate the graduation of the first class of 20 students from their computer course and the life-changing events for the community of Charlestown, the Deputy Minister of the Department of Social Development, Ms Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu and MTN representatives were at the centre on 20 October to also formally rejoice in the borehole investment with a soil-turning ceremony and official handover of the installation to the people of Charlestown.
“The handover was a natural culmination of the partnership between the Department of Social Development and the MTN Foundation, which has brought life-changing improvements to this community,” says Arthur Mukhuvha, General Manager of the MTN SA Foundation.
“We are happy that besides bringing education and connectivity to the area, we have also been able to help vulnerable people who are now using the available facilities to access their SASSA grants and now no longer need to travel to access their money.”
“For the young people in the area, the centre is a place where they can study for the upcoming matric exams, access learning resources and prepare for a brighter future. Having required computer skills will help those going on to study at tertiary institutions and those looking for jobs.”
Being able to connect people previously excluded from the digital information highway is at the heart of many of the MTN SA Foundation’s activities, stresses Mukhuvha.
“It is often said that when a tar road reaches a community, it brings opportunities and prosperity. Today, the new road is connectivity. It is connectivity and the IT technology that accompanies it that brings prospects for entrepreneurs, helps broaden education and assists people to escape the cycle of poverty in which they are trapped,” says Jacqui O’Sullivan, MTN’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer.
“It is our privilege at MTN to be the catalyst of change and work with partners, including government departments, as part of an effective public-private team to bring opportunities for self-reliance, skills development and transfer, and growth to areas where they are sorely needed,” O’Sullivan concludes.
