There is once more reason to celebrate as Siyacomputers (Siyakhula Computer School) wins the Microsoft CSR Project of the Year 2011 Award in association with LGIT Smart Solutions. This big news came a couple nights ago at a gala ceremony hosted by Microsoft at Durban City Hall to celebrate the achievements of Microsoft partners who have had a positive impact on the market and the surrounding communities.
In particular, recognition was made of the sustainable social impact the Siyakhula Computer Schools are making in their township communities and for their potential for growth and replication. With Ebony Park Computer School expected to train in excess of 600 students this year and the brand-new Diepsloot Computer School expected to train in excess of 120 students – everything points towards the model as effective, sustainable and highly replicable.
Huge credit for this achievement must go to the amazing team of Trainers and Administrators at the schools who have such a big heart for their communities and so selflessly serve their students in the name of educational advancement. The great hope now is that recognition of this kind from Microsoft will help the computer school to scale and to share experiences with like-minded organisations. Far too many computer training projects are either unsustainable or offer a below-standard training experience and it is Siyakhula’s absolute resolve and commitment to ensure that much-needed computer literacy training for individuals from impoverished communities is sustainable while remaining Affordable, Accessible and Top-Quality.
Finally, a big vote of thanks for LGIT Smart Solutions for their commitment and input into the growth of the computer schools. LGIT ensure the standard of Siyakhula’s training is always of a corporate-quality equivalent and each graduation they take the top performing graduates on more advanced IT training.
Natascha Prussen (MD – LGIT Smart Solutions) accepts the award from Mteto Nyati (MD – Microsoft South Africa) on behalf of Siyakhula Computer Schools and LGIT Smart Solutions.