16 May 2022
The days of each of a Phoenix, Durban, school’s elderly and troublesome 12 computers being shared
by up to four learners at a time are over, following a recent donation of 40 brand new computers,
collectively valued at R140 000, by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT).
Speaking at an event at Rydalpark Secondary School to mark the official hand-over of the new
computer equipment, SAMCT representative, Mr Gaff Osman, said: “We live in a technological
world; a world which is becoming increasingly reliant on digitalisation, necessitating the need for
people across the globe to embrace technology and – importantly – have both the understanding of
and the capability to effectively adopt and live this way of life, for both work and leisure.”
South Africa is no exception and providing information technology education for the country’s youth
was imperative, if learners were not to be left behind in an increasingly technologically-aware
society.
“However, herein lies a fundamental problem… so many of this country’s schools are incredibly
under-resourced – let alone having the capability of promoting and incorporating information
technology in the curriculum. Many of our schools lack the effective physical infrastructure for the
delivery of proper education and it, therefore, goes without saying that such schools clearly lack the
ability or the tools to offer information technology education and insights to their already
disadvantaged learners. This fact will, in the longer-term, disadvantage millions of young South
Africans who will grow up in a technological age and a total inability to actively participate in an
economy, in a business and in a life driven by computers and electronic devices.”
“Government is simply unable to keep pace with growing public school needs as existing facilities
crumble and the large-scale development of new schools appears to be an unachievable pipedream. In view of this, Government’s ability to effectively equip schools for a technological future is
simply out of the question. Yet, learners are making increasing demands for access to technology
and an education which encompasses computer literacy,” said Mr Gaf Osman.
He stressed, too, that many school’s boasting computer studies units lacked sufficient equipment to
satisfy user needs, negatively impacting effective and efficient teaching.
“The 38-year-old Rydalpark Secondary School, in Phoenix, is just such a school. Catering for the
largely impoverished communities of Rydalvale, KwaMashu, Inanda, Amaoti and Ntuzuma, this is a
school with ageing infrastructure… a school which qualifies for only a minimal subsidy, but a school
boasting an existing computer room, albeit equipped with just 12 elderly computers in need of
constant repair and attention.”
“Such has been popularity of this subject here that the school is floundering. It cannot afford to lose
learners and yet is unable to provide effective information technology education. The unfortunate
result is that currently between three and four learners are forced to share a computer. Such a
situation is clearly not conducive to a fit and proper IT education. This is simply not feasible in the
longer-term, nor can it in any way be deemed beneficial or fair to the learners,” said Mr Gaf Osman
He added: “In spite of such an untenable situation, the school’s qualified Computer Science
educator, who has a B.Ed. degree, has achieved a 100% pass at Grade 12 level for the past seven
years. Imagine the impact if learners did not have to share equipment and split their time using the
equipment. Such educational results, achieved in the most difficult of circumstances, is a credit to
the responsible educator and the dedication he has displayed in doing the very best for the learners
in his charge. In an effort to overcome the negative effects of the computer shortage, the school
undertakes weekend classes to assist in ensuring learners enjoy adequate computer usage time.
This, then, is clearly a school which always puts its learners first, whilst endeavouring the keep the
school running in the face of hard-to-come-by funding and constant financial difficulties.”
Having learned of the school’s plight, the SAMCT stepped in to assist, providing the school with 40
brand new computers, collectively valued at some R140 000.
The SAMCT, created in 2008, was established to provide funding, services and other resources for
the improvement of the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. In this regard, it has
successfully delivered significant assistance solutions throughout the country, irrespective of race or
religion and works to support needy organisations in the fields of health, social development,
poverty alleviation and education.
Mr Gaf Osman said of the computer donation: “I would like to wish Rydalpark Secondary School and
its amazing members of staff every success in the future. It is the hope of the South African Muslim
Charitable Trust that in making available new computers, the school will be far better equipped to
deliver an exceptional computer science education to its learners now and into the future.”
For more information about SAMCT or its Rydalpark Secondary School computers donation, please
contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za