Page 11 - KZN BUSINESS SENSE Vol.2 NO.6

briDging thE Digital DiViDE

he impact of the digital competency an essential skill and e-connect communities,
age and e-learning has in equipping future leaders and and make computer literacy
Ttransformed the world’s enabling people to participate and access to an email address
access to information and inter- in the global economy. With available to everyone, Mr Ahmed
connectedness, making computer a vision to empower, educate Ismael-Smiley, founder of the
concept, opened the first
Siyafunda Community
Technology Centre
(CTC) in Palm Ridge
in 2006. The core
values of sustainability,
affordability and access,
remain key project
drivers.
The first centre, a
community public
private partnership,
established the model Ahmed Ismael (Smiley) Community ICT activist, social entrepreneur,
for the now more than changemaker, digital divide transformation enabler with over 40 years of ICT
150 community centres experiences and community activism.
nationally, which have
helped unlock people’s been built with partners from economic, educational and social
potential for creativity local, provincial and national development – reducing isolation,
and productivity. government as well as schools, bridging the digital divide,
Siyafunda CTC universities and key private and promoting health issues, creating
centres have played social organisations. Partnerships economic opportunities and
a significant role in with other organisations in an reaching out to the youth.
driving innovation increasing number of remote
and revitalising regions are being finalised. Pioneering accessibility
communities. For to digital information and
many people, Siyafunda The centre’s objective is communication technology,
CTC offers their first to offer people access to Siyafunda CTC has been
exposure to a computer. computers, the internet and honoured with numerous awards.
The opportunities to other digital technologies, The innovative organisation
research and prepare which enabled them to gather plays an important role through
assignments, access information, create, learn and providing access to information
on-line services, or communicate with others which builds intellectual capital
apply for employment is while they develop essential and is essential for developing
life-changing. digital skills. The focus is on entrepreneurs, growing
the use of digital technologies economies and connecting
Mutually beneficial to support community, communities globally. 
relationships have

multi-managEr ProDuct solutions

he 27four Investment of South African and global Principal Officers Association
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From left to right: Wayne Van Rensburg, Matshidiso Mangoale, services provider. License no. 31045.
Nadir Thokan, Fatima Vawda, Akona Mlamleli (seated), Vic Du Preez

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