Cape Access is changing lives in Dysselsdorp

Dysselsdorp is a village in the Klein Karoo, about 30 kilometres from Oudtshoorn at the foot of the Kamanassie Mountains. It was established in 1838 as a mission by the London Missionary Society. The town is home to about 12 000 citizens, and it’s still largely owned and inhabited by descendants of former slaves and people of mixed origin.

Recognising a need by the community for access to online services, the Dysselsdorp Cape Access Centre first opened its doors in February 2012. The centre operates from the Pentecostal Protestant Church (PPC) and specialises in computer services provided to the community of Dysselsdorp and surrounding areas.

Dysselsdorp Cape Access Centre is unique in that, it’s also a UNISA telecentre. This means, all UNISA students are welcome to visit the centre, do their research, type, and upload their assignments, print, and spend up to 2 hours 3 days a week at the centre. The Cape Access Centre staff has built a strong relationship with the community organisations in the area and the centre is involved in community support projects such as; skills/leadership programme for learners and adults; and programmes with different departments and stakeholders during public holidays. Together they are changing the lives of the people, supporting personal growth and upliftment.

Users have access to a range of services and training.

Services:

• Internet access (45 minutes a session).
• E-mail facilities.
• Help setting up e-mail accounts.
• Online job searches and applications.
• Computer assistance.
• Free printing (maximum 10 pages a day).
• Assisting Unisa students daily as part of the telecentre duties.
• Additional services:
• Assistance with college and university applications online.
• Typing of CVs.

Training:

• e-Learner: Entry-level accredited certificate for successful learners.
• International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL): seven-month accredited course.
• Informal computer training.

Additional training:

• Basic computer training for primary school learners.

The centre has changed the lives of some community members for the better. Through the encouragement of Ms Theolesia McDonald and Mr Elton Louw, Calvin Kleinhaus is now a constable in the SAPS, which had always been his dream job.

The centre is also proud to have Elazine Lingerveldt, Gregory Pienaar, Curtley October, Gilead Korree and Deidre Wildeman from the community giving back and sharing their knowledge. Elazine Lingerveldt did the e-learner and ICDL courses at the centre and got a job opportunity at Oudtshoorn Municipality as a Cashier and Admin clerk at the Dysselsdorp local Swimming pool.

Gregory Pienaar visited the centre daily to look for job opportunities and update his CV. He eventually got an internship at the Department of Transport and Public Works through the help of the centre staff that assisted him with his application. Gregory also did the e-learner course in 2016 and recently got a permanent position in the above-mentioned Department.

Curtley October also visited the centre regularly and applied for the Traffic Officer learnership with the assistance of the staff. He was selected and completed the Diploma learnership offered, and he now has a permanent position as a Traffic Officer at Oudtshoorn Municipality Traffic Department.

Gilead Korree also did the e-learner course with the centre and visited the centre very often. The staff assisted him with his online application at Capitec Bank, where he was selected to complete 3 assessments which were a success. He is now permanently employed as a Client Service Champion.

Deidre Wildeman was a Telecentre Unisa user and visited the centre often to complete her assignments and exam prep. At the beginning of the year, she was offered a permanent job at the Department of Education in the Northern Cape, Blinkklip High School.

Visit the Dysselsdorp Cape Access Centre at 7 Carew Street from Monday to Friday, where trained staff dedicated to the upliftment and growth of the community will assist you.

Contact the e-Centre:

Tel: 044 251 6000

Email: dysselsdorp.ecentre@gmail.com

Operating Hours: Monday - Friday

Summer: 08:00-16:00

Winter: 09:00 - 17:00