Changing lives at the Swellendam WCG eCentre

Swellendam, the third oldest town in South Africa, is situated on the N2, approximately 220 km from Cape Town. The Dutch East India Company established this town in 1743. They named Swellendam after the Cape Governor, Hendrik Swellengrebel and his wife, Helena Ten Damme.

Swellendam has many historical buildings and is still primarily an agricultural region. Some community members of the population of 23,841  are involved in projects such as CWP and EPWP to earn a living, and many are unemployed. The residents need more job opportunities, recreational centres, a community swimming pool, a youth centre and affordable housing.

The Swellendam WCG eCentre, located at 1 Vollenhoven Street in Railton, in the Thusong Service Centre, opened its doors on 3 July 2013. The location of the WCG eCentre makes it easy for the Railton community members to access it.

The Swellendam WCG eCentre has grown in popularity over the years, with 6422 registered eCentre users and 600+ users helped  monthly. The eCentre is frequented by 30-80 users daily and between 100-200 weekly. The eCentre started with 11 computers and has since increased them to 16 computers. The WCG eCentre is divided into 2,  one side for training and the other for internet access.

The eCentre offers free printing, assistance with SARS registration, and university applications and users are also encouraged to participate in the free computer training provided to upskill themselves. Many people in the community access the internet to look for jobs, and school children conduct research and complete school projects. The Centre also offers help typing CVs, using a CV template created by the staff members to make it easier for users.

The Swellendam WCG eCentre staff members always try to uplift the community and assist where possible. An intern that worked at the Centre is now an assistant IT technologist at one of the big companies in Swellendam. The previous Centre Manager was also recently permanently employed as a Project Manager a few months ago. There have also been several users who have come back to the Centre to announce successful job applications.

Services:

• Free internet access
• Email Access and assistance to create emails.
• Online Job searches and applications
• University and TVET College online applications for admission
• Jobs and business opportunities
• Central Supplier Database Applications
• Printing of CVs (Free printing of a maximum of 10 pages per day)
• Scanning of documents
• The Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD Grant) applications
• Computer training

Training:

• Basic informal computer course training.
• E-learner: entry-level accredited certificate.
• International Computer driver’s license (ICDL).

Contact the eCentre:
Email: swellendam.ecentre@gmail.com
Tel: 028 514 1757

Address:
1 Vollenhoven Street
Railton

Operating hours:
Monday – Thursday: 08:00 - 16:30
Friday: 08:00 - 16:00