COMPUTER HUB LAUNCHED IN SOUTH AFRICAN TOWN

[This article was taken in full from IOL, whose website is listd below]

Computer hub launched in Philippi
July 30 2008 at 03:03PM
By Nomangesi Mbiza

New hope for the jobless in Philippi has come with the launch of a computer hub which will allow people to register for work, create CVs and get information about job opportunities and skills development.

The Umsebenzi Job Opportunities Information hub, which was launched on Tuesday by Western Cape Transport and Public Works MEC Marius Fransman, is situated at Philippi's Tsoga Centre.  The hub is one of 30 planned for the Western Cape.  The sites are a government initiative to help provide young people, women and the disabled with access to a computer and an opportunity to register on an Internet-based system.

Fransman said they chose to start in Philippi because it was such a disadvantaged area.  "Philippi is a community that has been bypassed and sidelined," he said.

The department of transport and public works will also post employment opportunities at the information hubs and will use information loaded there to recruit people.

Fransman said the hubs would also provide an accurate indication of the skills levels among the unemployed.

"This afternoon I am hosting more than 100 business executives to appeal for their support for this initiative," he said.

The hubs each have 30 computers sponsored by Dell Computers. The company's Rubiena Duarte said they had selected the project because of their commitment to skills development, reducing unemployment and empowering people through knowledge.

Lerato Molebatsi, of Sanlam, another of the sponsors, said they were delighted to be involved in the pilot programme. "This is truly a grassroots empowerment initiative."

Ward councillor Monwabisi Mbaliswano said he was happy that Philippi had been chosen because it was one of Cape Town's poorest areas.

Samora Machel resident Zoleka Maso said: "It is really going to help us."

IOL