The Telkom Foundation handed over an upgraded ICT Lab to the Steve Biko Foundation, boosting the organisation’s capacity to impact its community – and the world – through training, skills development, and educational research on September 26.
According to a statement by Telkom, the new Steve Biko Centre ICT Lab features 40 new workstations and new-generation digital connectivity, enabling the streaming of lectures, seminars, book launches, theatre, virtual tours, and educational content.
The statement said the handover took place during South Africa’s Heritage Month, a time when the nation reflects on its rich history and cultural legacy. “This timing is especially poignant as it also coincides with the burial of Steve Biko, the Black Consciousness leader and liberation-struggle icon for whose legacy the Steve Biko Foundation ensures continued relevance through programming locally and globally,” the statement read. Located in Biko’s home township, Ginsberg, Eastern Cape, the Centre features a museum, performing and conferencing spaces, a restaurant, a library, a business centre, and is the cornerstone of the Biko Heritage Trail.
The statement further added that the Centre, currently being graded by the South African Heritage Resources Agency as a national monument, describes its mission as “serving as an intellectual resource, while providing an economic opportunity for the region.”
The Telkom Foundation is the CSI arm of Telkom.
Commenting on the Steve Biko Foundation ICT lab handover, Telkom Foundation Head, Judy Vilakazi said the Telkom Foundation believes that the best way to make a difference for South Africa’s communities is by investing in education.
“We are proud to be able to do that through our partnership with the Steve Biko Foundation.” Steve Biko Foundation Founder and Executive Trustee Nkosinathi Biko said that the new ICT Lab would benefit the community around Ginsberg and Qonce in multiple ways. “This Lab is a game changer for this community,” he said.
“It will provide access to learning and training material for teachers and for learners of all ages, especially unemployed youth. We now have more computers in the Centre’s community library, which will allow many more users to study, research, and apply for jobs or places at university.
“We are so excited to see this partnership with the Steve Biko Foundation come to life,” said Vilakazi.
“We are committed to helping communities access knowledge through technology – so that more of South Africa’s people can play a meaningful role in building our society,” Vilakazi concluded.
