Rustenburg-Women, Children and People with Disabilities Deputy Minister, Hendrietta Bogopane–Zulu says young people with disabilities must use the new accessible computer laboratory to equip them with skills.
Speaking at the official handing ceremony of Accessible Computer Laboratory to Phokeng in Education School of Excellence held on Friday, the Deputy Minister said young people living with disability must use the facility to prepare themselves for work.
“Skills development in government is a very serious problem in both government and private sector particularly when it comes to people with disability. One of the main reasons for lack of skills amongst people living with disability is that most educational institution does not have facilities and technologies that suit the need of people with special needs such as accessible computer laboratory,” she said.
Bogopane–Zulu urged beneficiaries of the centre to use the laboratory to the best of their ability so that they become employable in both public and private sector.
Department partnered with Cell C to donate and make the installation of computer laboratory a success.
The Deputy Minister thanked Cell C for the partnership that will bridge the gap on the digital world and promote sustainable skills development amongst people with disability.
“Public Private Partnership is important in ensuring that all our people live a better life. We welcome and thank every private company that take part in the development of our people because government alone will never make it,” she cited.
Concurring with the Deputy Minister on behalf of the North West Premier, Mme Thandi Modise, Education MEC Wendy Matsimela said there is a widespread demand of skills in the country and that the more young people are equipped with skills the better their chances of contributing to the labour market.
“We appreciate the fact that the school offer skills to young people with disability especially from rural areas. This is a good step forward because government as well as private sector must move with speed in increasing the employment of young people in the disability sector,” she said.
She further appealed to the beneficiaries to take pride and good care of the facility.
Senior Manager, Government Relations of Cell C, Joshua Moela assured that his company will always assist in the development of communities especially the needy.
“We feel very happy because our contribution will make a difference in the lives of the people.
Skills development is very crucial for the development of our country especially in the disability sector,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Masego Pule from Sun Rise who is blind said they are very much exited to have received the laboratory.
“We feel very happy about the facility because the normal computer that we find in our communities does not have the technology that we need. We would like to thank everyone who made it possible for this facility to be in our school,” she said.-TDN
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