Lekgale Ramalo steadily searches for and types letters one at a time on a computer keyboard.Although typing a simple word document on her computer takes her longer than an average person, she is excited about her learning experience.
Ramalo is a Grade 11 learner at Mafutsane Secondary School at Rakoma Village, near Tzaneen.The school has ended for the day when we meet but she has remained behind to brush-up on her computer skills.
The school received a fully furnished computer lab funded by the Universal Service Agency (USA) in partnership with government communications, the GCIS, and through the lobbying of Bathlabine Rural Development Trust earlier this year.
Like many other learners in her school Ramalo had never seen or touched a real computer before, she had only read about it or seen it on TV.
Oupa Kgwahla, founder of the centre says he realised the need for a computer centre to serve both the learners and the community, as there was none available nearby.
"Most school around the area don't offer computer lessons and with the changing technology people have to acquire computer skills within their reach."
The facilities provided by USA include a building with 30 computers, tables, chairs, air conditioning, a server, a printer, a satellite dish and a TV set that is used for learning channels.
The centre started functioning in August and staff have received training through a twinning agreement between Khanya College in Johannesburg and the Canadian Government.
"Technology is advanced and it is great that we have this centre because now our children can compete with other children on the same level once they leave this school," says Petrus Mmatlou who manages the after-school computer lessons.
"I'm glad I still have another year to learn and I know I will have learnt a lot by the time I finish my matric," she says before going back to her unfinished word document.
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