Dear Editor
The DA in the Western Cape lauds the services offered by the Kwanokuthula and New Horizons e-centres in the Bitou Municipality, as part of the Cape Access Program. These centres offer services such as typing and printing, job and business research information, school and job applications and basic e-skills training.
Last week, the Standing Committee on Premier and Constitutional Matters visited the Kwanokuthula e-centre facility. The facility currently has an average of 60 user sessions per day, and already boasts many success stories of people who have used the centre to study and find work opportunities.
The New Horizons e-centre has also been successful in serving the people of the area with various online offerings. The vision for this centre is to make ICT services freely available and accessible to the community. Their offerings to the community include Soft Skills Computer Training, assistance with research for school projects, setting up of E-mail accounts, PSIRA renewals for security officers and SARS registrations for job seekers.
MPP Christopher Fry says, “The partnership between various actors, including the Bitou Municipality, EPWP, and Youth for Change, has made these facilities a ray of hope for the people of Kwanokuthula and New Horizon who have taken advantage of the valuable resources and upskilled themselves.
There are currently further plans to expand the training opportunities offered at the e-centres, including partnering with local NGOs to train workers as well as prepare Grade 12 learners to acquire their ICDL certifications at the start of 2023.
These e-centres continue to demonstrate the Western Cape Government and local municipalities’ commitment to educating residents in essential ICT skills so they may become self-reliant and compete in the employment market.”
Regards
Christopher Fry, MPP
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Premier and Constitutional Matters
