Browse the internet for free at the Wolseley WCG eCentre

Wolseley is a small town 90km northeast of Cape Town, located in the Witzeneberg Municipality in the upper Breede Valley of the Western Cape. The town lies on a natural watershed dividing the Berg and Breede Rivers, which makes the water-rich region ideal for farming fruit, vegetables, olives, wheat, dairy, sheep, and grapes. Wolseley is a popular tourist destination; many people visit the valley to marvel at its breathtaking scenery and to enjoy the variety of delicious food and wine.

An estimated 15 000 people call this region home, most of whom are factory workers or farm labourers. Many community members do not have access to a reliable internet connection, which prevents them from using the increasingly digital and online services. In 2015, the Western Cape Government (WCG) opened the WCG eCentre in Wolseley to help residents keep up with the ever-changing digital landscape by providing computer literacy training and free internet access.

With a focus on rural areas where access is most required, the WCG eCentre program makes information and communication technology (ICT) freely available and accessible to communities throughout the province. Citizens can join educational programmes that’ll upskill their technological skills, find employment online and use the internet for self-improvement or research business opportunities.

The Wolseley WCG eCentre assists local people to communicate more effectively with government and communities globally by providing access to email, internet and various government services.

Services provided at the eCentre include:

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

According to the eCentre manager, Rachille, over 200 residents visit the eCentre weekly and the eCentre improved a lot of the residents’ lives, “I feel this is one of the best programs that the government has launched because, in small towns, people don’t have access to the internet and computers especially when every service that the centre provides is free.”

Recently, the eCentre has partnered with Boland College to help youth apply easily to the college.  Boland College is a public technical and vocational education and training college with campuses in Stellenbosch, Worcester, Strand, Caledon and Paarl.

The Partnership has helped over 30 students from Wolseley to apply  to the college to date, and it continues to assist prospective students.

Email: wolseley.ecentre@gmail.com

Address: Wolseley WCG eCentre, Church Street, Montana, Wolseley, 6830

Operating Hours: Monday - Thursday: 09:00 - 17:00

Friday 09:00 - 16:00

Visit the WCG eCentres website for more information.