- Oaklands
High School in Cape Town launches the first Cyber Lab in the province, . - The
Cyber Lab, part of a nationwide initiative by the State Information
Technology Agency (SITA), aims to bridge the digital gap and empower
learners in underprivileged areas. - Local
officials, including Minister Solly Malatsi and Deputy Mayor Eddie
Andrews, encouraged students to leverage the lab for personal and
community growth.
A Cyber Lab launched at Oaklands High School on Wednesday 4 February aims to equip learners with employable skills in high demand, fostering a passion for digital skills.
With the lab installed at the school just last week, learners have already learnt basic Html coding for websites.
These skills are not about going viral on social media, but becoming employable in high paying, in- demand sector, says Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) Solly Malatsi, who officially opened the lab.
The national Cyber Lab programme is a national initiative of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA); and is aimed at investing in the creation and expansion of smart schools. This is also aligned to the DCDT vision of SITA reasserting itself as the leader in driving ICT transformation in government.
This is a countrywide project which has seen provinces like Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and North West receiving the Cyber Labs which comes with internet connectivity to the school, robotics training for the learners and laptops with desks and chairs.
Oaklands High School is the first to receive this donation in the province.
“It’s how you use those tools to enhance your learning abilities, how you use the infrastructure and the skills you have for economic opportunities, and how you use those for social upliftment in your immediate community. So please make use of the opportunities that you now have to learn as much as you can about digital skills and also about the future in this area,” he encouraged learners during the launch.
“There’s a whole future in digital skills, and you can make good money in that area because that’s where the future of work is and that’s where the future of the economy is. So learn the skills, share them in your communities, but most importantly, your skills are nothing, are meaningless if you don’t use them to uplift other people.”
Deputy Mayor Eddie Andrews says: “Today marks a new chapter in your education journey, one where you will take a step further into the digital world. The launch of this cyber-lab is not just about computers and the internet; it is about getting access to new opportunities, new skills, and a future that is full of possibilities.”
Malatsi says he hopes the introduction of the cyber lab gives learners the opportunity to see the internet as more than a platform for entertainment.
“In this day and age, (the internet is) a platform and a major driver for economic activities.
Statistics tell us that the majority of South Africans actually use the internet for social media. There is so much more you can do with access to the internet than spending your own time during school break on TikTok and Facebook and Instagram,” he says.
School principal Mahir Jeffery says the school had existing computer lab infrastructure, but this has been a welcome upgrade and boost. His hope is that the children will shine using this lab.
“My wish is that our learners engage and benefit from this Cyber Lab. I am very grateful and honoured to drive this school and open up the doors of digital literacy. We have good kids coming into the school and good kids leaving this school. It is a journey going forward to develop IT skills and digital skills,” he says.
Xolani Mbulawa, SITA Regional Coastal head says: “It’s an honour to participate in the initiative to bridge the digital gap within our country.”
He says the Cyber Lab is a collaborative effort between different entities and while the donation was given to the school, it is now the responsibility of the school and school community to safeguard and make use of the infrastructure.
“We need to acknowledge that the world is evolving, and technology is a key driver. And unfortunately, we sought of lagging behind, and it’s important that we need to play catch up. If we look now, every aspect of our lives is run around technology,” he says.
School head boy Masibulele Tembani says this donation will make a lasting impact on their lives.
“I encourage every (learner) at our school to use each and every single opportunity presented by the Cyber Lab. Imagine being able to explore difficult concepts through simulations, creating innovative approaches and develop skills in which each can help us in the modern workforce.
“This sponsorship represents more than just a donation. It is an investment in our future,” he says.
“A testament to the belief in our potential as Auckland is creative, current results and responsible citizens. On behalf of the student body, I extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors. Your commitment to our education will have a lasting impact on our lives and our school’s future. We pledge to make the most of this opportunity using these resources to drive academic excellence, creativity and positive change.”
Ward 60 councillor, Mark Kleinschmidt says he was contacted by the mayor’s office in January to nominate a school in his area.
With continued excellent results, Oaklands was a standout option for him. The school caters to the broader areas including Khayelitsha, Langa, Gugulethu and even as far as Eersteriver. This translates to majority of the learners being from disadvantaged backgrounds.
