Learners from schools in Langa and the surrounding communities converged at Johnson Ngwevela Hall on Friday 9 May to celebrate the International Girls in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Day.
The event was organised by the office of Mondli Gungubele, the Deputy Minister for the Department of Communication and Digital Technology and Ward 51 councillor Lwazi Pakade.
Hundreds of Grade 9 to 11 learners from Langa High School, Isilimela ComprehensiveSchool, Khulani High School, Leap Science and Maths School all from Langa, Thembalethu Special School from Gugulethu and Cypress Primary School in Athlone attended the event.
The International Girls in ICT Day is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday in April to create awareness and encourage women to join the technology sector. This year the day was celebrated on Thursday 24 April.
Pakade highlighted the strides achieved globally through ICT. He indicated how the world shifted from writing letters to sending SMSes and emails. “Digital technology is not the future, but we are currently using it. Every household has someone using a smartphone and without a phone life is miserable. We appeal to the learners that when they choose their career they must choose wisely,” urged Pakade.
Gungubele appealed to women to study technology. He said the field had endless opportunities. “There is a difference between technology and assuming technology. What you are doing when you are browsing on TikTok and Google you are consuming technology. But technology is the practical application of scientific knowledge and principles to solve problems to improve human lives. We are here to inspire and motivate you to choose the right path. We are saying to the young girls that their future is in their hands, and it is their responsibility,” said Gungubele.
He urged them to focus on their studies instead of running after men.
“Don’t make love before finishing the school, because you are allowing yourself to be a practice ground where matches will not be played. Orlando Pirates FC is playing at FNB Stadium (also known as Soccer City) but doesn’t practice there. You have a choice to make yourself a practice ground or FNB. Focus on your studies, finish them and be what you want to be,” said Gungubele, adding that technology is everything.
He praised numerous countries such as China and the United States of America for being trendsetters in the ICT sector.
Siyasanga Tshambu, a teacher at Leap Science and Maths School described the event as helpful. She said it motivated and encouraged the learners to choose their subjects wisely. “It is challenging but exciting at the same time. It got them thinking. It also exposed the young learners to the world of technology,” said Tshambu.
She stated that their backgrounds must not define their destination.
Simamnkele Sobekwa, a Grade 9 learner from Khulani High School, said the event was interesting.”I’m motivated by what the deputy minister Gungubele said when he told us to focus on our studies first before anything else. He gave us hope that we can be whatever we want to be if we stay focused,” said Sobekwa.s
