MANGWENI – For many learners at Silindokuhle Special Needs School, technology has long been something they heard about rather than experienced.
On Thursday, 4 June, that changed as the Vodacom Foundation in collaboration with the Mpumalanga Department of Education unveiled a R4 million School of Excellence model (SoE) at the school, aimed at expanding digital learning opportunities for learners with disabilities.
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Speaking during the handover, Vodacom Mpumalanga Managing Executive Monde Ngcukana said the initiative was about more than providing technology. “At Vodacom, we believe that technology has the power to unlock potential and create opportunities for every learner, regardless of their circumstances. This initiative is about dignity, inclusion, and ensuring that no learner is left behind in the digital age,” he said.
Ngcukana said the School of Excellence model forms part of Vodacom’s national education programme, launched in 2019 to support government’s Vision 2030 for education. The programme currently benefits about 40,000 learners across 39 schools nationwide and aims to improve access to quality education through technology-driven solutions.
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The multimillion-rand project includes 30 computers, a fully installed local area network (LAN), renovated learning facilities, and specialised assistive technologies designed for learners who are deaf, visually impaired, and living with intellectual disabilities.
For visually impaired learner Mthokozisi Mashabane, the new facility represents more than access to computers. “Before Vodacom donated this lab, we faced many challenges, especially when conducting research.
“This could have placed us at a disadvantage when we move on to tertiary education because we were not familiar with using technology tools. I am excited because the lab will help us develop these skills and become more comfortable using technology, which will better prepare us to succeed at university,” said Mashabane.
Department of Education Chief Director for Quality Promotion and Assurance Lorraine Goba said the facility aligns with government’s vision of using technology to improve learning outcomes and prepare learners for an increasingly digital future.
For learners at Silindokuhle, the new facility represents more than just technology, it represents opportunity, inclusion, and the promise of a future where disability is no barrier to success.
