We are passionate about creating a legacy of digital literacy and empowerment in South African schools and South Africa as a whole.

The Telkom Foundation has launched a state-of-the-art Cyber Lab at Refilwe Secondary School in Metsanangwana, Sekhukhune area, Limpopo.

The launch of the lab on 17 May – held on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) – highlighted access to the Internet, information and communication technologies (ICT) and how to help bridge the digital divide.

The cyber lab is part of Telkom’s Connected Schools Programme

Through the Connected Schools Programme, the Telkom Foundation has worked systematically to create opportunities for and invested in the lives of young South Africans.

The cyber lab initiative aims to enhance education through the integration of technology into teaching and learning. It also aims to improve digital literacy levels by providing learners and teachers with comprehensive ICT solutions, which include hardware, software, connectivity and interactive CAPS aligned educational content.

The initiative also addresses pressing needs in disadvantaged schools. In addition to IT requirements, infrastructure, such as strong rooms, ceilings and donated furniture, is also part of the solutions and updates made.

To ensure that schools utilise the donated ICT infrastructure, teachers are also trained both in equipment usage and also in productivity software sets together with skills to integrate technology into education.

Beyond the impact created for schools, the ICT programme has a bold and visionary ambition to empower out-of-school youth, non-profit organisations and community centres. Although the path, and the partnership, towards digital literacy begins at secondary school level, there is a deep commitment to making an impact among unemployed youth by providing accredited training in diverse ICT disciplines.

Creating meaningful partnerships for greater impact

The Telkom Foundation places great emphasis on partnerships. Our in-school programmes are implemented in partnership with the Departments of Education at a provincial and district level. Our digital skills programme aimed at out of school youth is implemented in partnership with various partners including provincial government departments such as Sports, Arts and Culture,  and Social Development.

One of our partnerships is with the Gauteng Department of Education through its agency, the GCRA, where unemployed youth are trained in MICTSETA accredited ICT Technical Support programme and are placed in Gauteng public schools with ICT resources, to support the integration of ICT into teaching and learning. Whilst the youth boost their experience, they also offer the schools the much-needed school based ICT technical assistance to ensure that all equipment is in working order and accessible when teachers need to use it.

All those who participate in the programme are given an allowance and receive a laptop and Telkom data to use throughout the programme, which is theirs to keep.

The impact of digital literacy on young South Africans and their teachers

"At Telkom, we believe that connectivity is the key to South Africa’s digital future,” says Telkom Group CEO, Serame Taukobong “Through initiatives like the Telkom Foundation’s Connected Schools Programme, we are actively bridging the digital divide and unlocking opportunities for young learners across the nation. The inauguration of the cyber lab at Refilwe Secondary School underscores our unwavering commitment to building a digitally inclusive society."

Why digital skills are important for the youth

It’s undeniable that technology touches every aspect of our lives, from learning and our careers to gaming and leisure pursuits. Having digital literacy equips and enables us in all areas of our lives. According to the WEF Future of jobs report 2023 technology is going to be a key driver of business transformation over the next five years. The report analyses data collected from 803 companies, collectively employing 11,3 million workers, outlines that we can expect a high adoption rate in technology, big data, cloud computing and AI. With more than 75% of companies looking to adopt these technologies over the next five years.

In addition, digital platforms and apps are the most likely to be adopted by the companies surveyed, with 86% adapting these into operations over the next five years.

Entire industries are moving rapidly towards technological adoption on all fronts. Therefore, it is clear that our youth need to be developed and empowered to take their place within the digital economy.

The many pros of having digital skills:

• Gives you greater access to information.
• Makes you more employable.
• Can improve your earning potential.
• Supports entrepreneurship.
• Keeps you up to date with global digital trends.
• Helps you to stay safe.

Telkom believes in creating powerful partnerships to provide digital transformation in schools. By powering ICT Labs in South African schools, Telkom has created yet another initiative to show South Africans that possible begins here.