Riebeeck-Kasteel WCG eCentre is changing lives

The Riebeeck-Kasteel e-Centre in the Swartland region is changing the lives of the local community by making information and communication technologies (ICT) easily accessible through the WCG eCentre Programme. Together with its sister town, Riebeeck West, Riebeeck-Kasteel is located in the Riebeeck Valley 80 kilometres (km) northeast of Cape Town. It has a population of about 2 700 people, and since the centre's doors first opened in 2017, it has more than a thousand registered members. It now serves about 500 people in the community each month as its user base continues to grow.

The e-Centre gives users access to a range of services and training.

Services

• Free Internet Access
• Email Access and assistance to create emails
• Online Job searches and applications
• Online University Applications
• Free Printing of maximum 10 pages per day
• Basic Informal Computer Course Training
• E-learner Online Computer Course Training.
• International Computer Digital Literacy (ICDL) Computer Course Training

Training

• E-learner: entry-level accredited certificate.
• International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL): seven-month accredited course.
• Informal Computer training.

The Riebeeck-Kasteel eCentre Administrator, Nicole Jacobs says, “since the e-Centre opened, it has provided Computer Course Training to multiple community members, including the children at pre-schools in the community.

Many of our community school children and tertiary students also make use of the facilities as we help them with their homework, research projects and assignments.

Jacobs proudly explains how the eCentre has changed the community’s lives. “We had 3 interns who were part of the Western Cape Government’s PAY Project. They completed their Basic Informal, E-Learner Online, and ICDL Training. Their names are Hadrian Swarts (2017 -2018), Beatrice Markus (2018-2019) and Ayesha Julius (2019-2020).”

In addition to the training they completed, they also successfully completed their accredited E-Learner and ICDL Computer Courses.

Two individuals stand out, in Jacobs' opinion, namely Melanie Arendse, a frequent visitor to the eCentre. She used the eCentre's resources to apply online for a job with SA Stats 2022, and she was accepted. She also completed her basic computer training and eLearner Training. She is currently working as an Administrator at the Riebeeck-Kasteel museum. 

Johnwell Stewe, a Riebeek-Kasteel community member and a previous Centre Administrator at Riebeek-Kasteel eCentre for 4 years, obtained all his training certificates from the eCentre. He now runs his Videography and Photography business called Oom Khai Creations. Johnwell says he is grateful to have been involved at the eCentre because he gained all the necessary administration knowledge, which equipped him to work on his own business. Johnwell Stewe is still in the process of studying the field of videography and still makes use of the eCentre facilities daily.

Visit the Riebeek-Kasteel eCentre, located at Esterhof 5 Gladiola Street, Riebeek-Kasteel, where trained staff dedicated to the upliftment and growth of the community will assist you.

Contact details
Tel: 069 323 6581
Email: riebeeckkasteel.ecentre@gmail.com