Changing lives at the Ilingelethu e-Centre

Ilingelethu is a township near Malmesbury, that had the humble beginnings as a compound and a community hall in the 1990s. The name Ilingelethu means ‘our own struggle’ something the community can identify with daily. Poverty, unemployment and crime are harsh realities that they must negotiate in their struggle for a better life. Socio-economic upliftment and skills development programmes were desperately needed.

The lack of access to information and communication technology (ICT) meant that the growing population did not get an opportunity to take part in a very fast-growing technological environment. Recognising this need the Cape Access programme opened the Ilingelethu e-Centre in June 2013.

The Ilingelethu e-Centre in collaboration with the Cape Access programme, is committed to changing the lives of the community by making ICT readily accessible. The e-Centre is currently serving approximately 60 community members every day. This include citizens from Wesbank, Saamstaan, and even Abbotsdale, nearly 9 km from Malmesbury.

The e-Centre manager, Thabiso Gongo, explains how the e-Centre that operates from the Thusong Centre, in Eyethu Street, has made it easier for students from the surrounding schools and colleges to complete assignments and tasks. Past matriculants could successfully apply to universities and colleges by using the facilities in the centre. The e-Centre staff has helped the community become more comfortable with email and communicating with government institutions with regards to services.

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

Services

• Internet access (45 minutes a session).
• E-mail facilities.
• Help setting up e-mail accounts.
• Assistance with online job searches and applications.
• Computer assistance.
• Free printing (maximum of 10 pages a day).
• Assistance with typing of CVs, business plans and obituaries.
• Research information for school, college and university projects.

Training

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

Gongo and the e-Centre team is committed to serving the community. They take pride in being able to play a part in changing the lives of the people of Ilingelethu. Since the e-Centre opened as many as 81 people from the community have received computer literacy training with accredited certificates. Gongo proudly explains how the e-Centre has changed the community’s lives for the better. "One person, Alberto Goliath from Wesbank, Malmesbury, was unemployed for over a year. At the e-Centre, we helped him type his CV and helped him apply for jobs online. He applied for a Store Controller position at Pioneer Foods Sasko. He was shortlisted and invited for an interview. Alberto was successful and is now permanently employed."

The e-Centre is also proud to have Siphenathi Plaatjie, Zizipho Magqaza, and Nomawethu Kosani from the community giving back and sharing their knowledge. Plaatjie who matriculated from Ilingelethu High School in 2015 applied to the PAY Internship Programme at the Western Cape Government in 2016. He was accepted and completed a year internship at the Department of Social Development in 2017.

Magqaza, who matriculated in 2018 from Schoonspruit Secondary applied to the PAY Internship Programme as well. She is currently the very first intern at the centre. 

Kosani who enrolled as a candidate for basic computer training in February 2018, successfully completed her training. She enrolled in the e-learner programme and completed the course in July 2018. When the position of Development Manager became vacant she applied and was appointed in August 2018.

The e-Centre operates from the Thusong Centre, in Eyethu Street, from Monday to Friday. The dedicated staff is ready to assist you from 08:00 till 17H00.

Contact the e-Centre:
Tel: 022 486 5645
E-mail: ilingelethu.ecentre@gmail.com