The Thohoyandou Eskom Customer Care Centre gave local Vhembe Schools a shot in the arm, when they deliver 112 computers to the schools last Friday.

Eskom’s Customer Care Manager in Thohoyandou, Mr Ntshavheni Nenguda, said his company is ploughing back into the communities, because they buy electricity units from Eskom. He further said Eskom cares about the education of the people, and encourages learners to pursue technology subjects. Despite impressive qualifications, employers today need people who are computer literate, and also have a driver’s license. It is better for learners to get computer skills at a tender age,” Nenguda said.

“Eskom has also been involved in the Maths and Science improvement project. Several schools have received laboratory equipment and chemicals to the value of more than R50 000 from Eskom. On a yearly basis, Eskom takes learners who are registered in the Higher Grade in Mathematics and Physical Science for a winter school in Gauteng Province. Eskom is also giving bursaries to learners who achieve excellence in Grade 12, at tertiary level.

“Eskom is also involved in the Schools Soccer Challenge in the Limpopo Province and that was aimed at the development of future football stars that are going to represent South Africa in the 2010 World Cup to be held in SA,” Nenguda said.

Computer recipients were Shayandima Secondary School with 15, Mbilwana Primary School (10), Nyadzani Primary School (2), Vhulaudzi Secondary School (10), Mandala Secondary (10), Phiriphiri Secondary (13), Mungomani Secondary (10), Makhado Multi-Purpose Centre (20), Vhutuwangadzebu Secondary (12) and Patrick Ramaano High School, who received 10 computers.

“The donated computers are valued at R116 000 and principals were warned to avoid taking computers to their own homes. The beneficiaries of these computers should be learners. Musina schools didn’t get any, but they have benefited from the construction of classes,” Nenguda ads.

The acting Senior District Manager of Education in the Vhembe District, Mr Moses Rathando, said it takes the whole community to raise a child. “There are infrastructures backlogs in the Department of Education and it needs partnerships with companies like Eskom,” Rathando added.

The center Manager of Makhado Multi-Purpose Centre, Mr Happy Ramakhanya, said his centre had a computer lab, and the 20 computers will help us to train more people in computer technology. “Trainees are no longer going to share one computer, because we have enough computers now,” Ramakhanya said.