Champagne Sports Resort and 3 Bears Trading School WiFi Project
Connecting communities one school at a time
By implementing the WiFi project in July 2021, the lives of educators and learners in the Loskop region of KwaZulu-Natal have been impacted. Historically, the 5 schools and one community project installed with WiFi, either had no or slow and unreliable internet access, hindering their ability to access vital educational resources. More than 500 education beneficiaries are now able to access free, uncapped internet each month. With access to online tools and resources, these learners and their educators have the opportunity to thrive in this digital age. Loskop has 33 schools consisting of 11 high schools and 22 primary schools.
Enabled by various donations by corporate partners, friends and family of Champagne Sports Resort and 3 Bears Trading, Project Isizwe installed WiFi equipment at the 5 schools and one community project. Once installed, the contribution from 3 Bears Trading has been covering the monthly internet costs to connect these learners.
Inkosi uTatazela High School, Amahlubi Secondary School and Enkomokazini Technical High School are the 3 high schools benefiting from donations received. Inkosi uTatazela High School is a public secondary school and a centre of academic excellence for the 430 learners who fill its classrooms. With a commitment to providing a comprehensive learning experience for all learners at the school, principal Mr Bongani Ketwa and his team of 20 educators provide an inclusive and high-quality education. “Our school is blessed to have the internet. Teaching and learning are more relevant and meaningful when our staff and learners are able to access online resources,” says Ketwa.
Enkomokazini Technical High School is also benefiting from free, uncapped internet. Under the leadership of principal Ndabenhle Terry Mduli, 23 educators at Enkomokazini work hard to ensure that their 671 learners are given quality vocationally oriented technical education that serves their diverse needs, setting them up for success beyond the classroom. Like all Technical High Schools, Enkomokazini trains learners in specific career fields in addition to the regular high school curriculum. “Our school caters for learners with diverse learning and educational needs. The free WiFi that we now have in place is enabling our staff and learners the access they need to ensure we deliver on our multidisciplinary approach to learning,” says Mduli.
Amahlubi Secondary School is a big school with an even bigger heart of some 1200 learners. Under the committed and inspired leadership of Principal Dlamini, Amahlubi Secondary School is taking integrated learning to the next level. Educators and learners are embracing the free, uncapped WiFi, with weekly Coding and Robotics classes taking place in the school library and majority of the Maths and Science lessons are facilitated online with donated tablets.
At Kwazamokuhle Special School, the WiFi is helping to level the playing field for the learners with special educational needs. Online access and the equity it enables are critical for these learners and the educators who hold their futures in their hands. Bespoke learning resources that are otherwise costly for schools like Kwazamokuhle Special School are more easily and freely available online. Using technology – WiFi, tablets and interactive robots – for learning is helping to bridge the divide for the beautiful learners at this school. Nosipho Mabhele – principal at Kwazamokuhle – says that as a result of the WiFi they were able to add Coding and Robotics to their curriculum. QP Dlamini, a teacher at the school, won the national award for Excellence in Special Needs Teaching 2023.
At Ephangweni Primary School 18 educators and 576 learners have access to free, uncapped internet. Ephangweni is a public primary school that previously had no connection to the internet. Thanks to the internet, 21st century learning is now a reality for all at Ephangweni. “We are excited about the WiFi that has been installed. Our educators and learners will have the opportunity to access all the teaching and learning opportunities that are available online,” says Vusi Radebe, principal at Ephangweni.
The Bhekuzulu Self Sufficient Project is an NPO. The centre serves the local community, with a focus on holistic and community centred services for people affected by HIV/AIDS. Education and educational support services make up a large part of the project’s work done in promoting health and dignity for all. As an enabler for this important work, the free, uncapped WiFi reaches beyond classrooms, impacting the lives of everyday citizens. Fezile Dlamini who oversees the NPO says the WiFi has enabled them to still assist chronic patients at Madiba Clinic as they need to scan in and out the treatment using the Department of Health App. Without WiFi this would not have been possible.
Join us in making a difference transforming lives one school at a time.
