BuaNews (Tshwane)
Bathandwa Mbola
8 June 2008
Richmond — The 100th Thusong Service Centre, which was officially opened by President Thabo Mbeki on Saturday, will not only serve as a centre for government services but of new opportunities for the local residents.
The Thusong Service Centre, situated in the remote Inhlazuka area near Richmond, is aimed at providing the local community access to national and provincial government services, such as ID document and social grants applications.
However, residents both young and old will also have the opportunity to learn computer literacy skills which could open up further opportunities for them in the future.
Centre Manager Musa Ndlovu told BuaNews that a high premium was placed on the introduction of information and communications technologies at this centre.
An IT training course will be offered at the centre as a result of a partnership between local stakeholders, IT experts and the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
About 25 Grade 12 graduates and teachers have already registered for an intensive five-month computer training course, paying a nominal fee of R700 which includes course materials.
"We are also targeting the Grade 9 to 12 learners for a six-month training course on Saturdays."
"My aim is to help everyone in the area, from all age groups, become computer literate," said Mr Ndlovu, adding that to achieve this there needed to be a supply of electricity and phone lines for Internet in Nhlazuka homes.
He reasons that anyone who knows how to use a mobile phone can use a computer, including senior learners.
Mr Ndlovu is also keen to start Adult Basic Education and Training courses in computer literacy.
"I will only stop once the training centre is transformed into a fully-fledged Further Education and Training college equipping students with conflict management, leadership and other skills," enthusiastically said Mr Ndlovu.
Mr Ndlovu hopes that firm commitments from the private sector and parastatals must be rallied by the intersectoral steering committees and political champions.
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