How WCG eCentres are changing the lives of community members

The Western Cape Government eCentre programme has become an important programme in rural and underprivileged communities because it helps make information and communication technology available and easily accessible to the people living in these communities.

The WCG eCentres offer access to computers and free internet where users can make use of a variety of services such as:

• use of computers,
• access to the internet,
• access to email,
• printing (a maximum of 10 pages per person per day),
• basic computer training,
• access to government information and services,
• access to jobs, business and research information, and
• accredited computer training.

The people living in these communities and using the eCentres can attest to the  opportunities they have opened for them, including better education, employment, and business opportunities. Two people who have made use of the eCentres and can confidently say the eCentres have impacted or changed their lives are Robyn Baadjies and Lindokuhle Mrawuzeli.

Robyn’s journey has not been the easiest, but with the help of the staff at the eCentre, she overcame the obstacles and pursued her studies. Robyn is a student that lives in Leeu-Gamka, and she completed her Matric in 2017 at Zwartberg High School.

She first visited the eCentre in 2018 when she went to apply to legal schools with the help of the eCentre staff member, Harold. Robyn could not pursue her studies because she had no financial support and couldn’t secure any bursaries to help her financially.

Staff at the eCentre advised her to apply for the PAY project at the Department of the Premier, and she was accepted. She described the experience as valuable. “Working there was both a pleasure and a learning experience,” she said.

After her internship, Robyn applied for and received a bursary opportunity that the Prince Albert Municipality offered. Today, Robyn is a 2nd year BCom Law student at Boston City Campus in Bellville. Harold has played a vital role in Robyn’s journey since she was in Primary School, and he continues to assist at the local Primary school. Robyn is excited about her future and looks forward to paying it back when she is successful.

Lindokuhle Mrawuzeli from Murraysburg matriculated at Bastiaanse Secondary School in Beaufort West in 2022. Her journey has not been so different from Robyn’s. After matriculating, Lindokuhle visited the eCentre to apply to universities and for job opportunities.

She joined the Basic training at the eCentre and acquired knowledge about computers. “The benefits of going to the eCentre opened doors for me, for example, I was able to apply for the NARYSEC, Library and Emergency services internships,” she said.

With the help of the friendly and dedicated staff at the eCentre, Lindukuhle obtained a certificate for the basic training, and she also received 2 job offers, one at the local Library and the other at Emergency Medical Services (EMS). She chose to work at the EMS and is happy about her choice.

Lindokuhle aspires to be a Nurse, and she plans is to study towards that career and,  like Robyn, to give back to her community when successful. She encourages young people never to stop dreaming and to give up or lose hope.