Intel and Siyafunda Community Technology Centres (CTC) have launched a programme that will see women and girls in disadvantaged areas of Gauteng being given computer literacy skills at little or no cost.

Launching the Easy Steps Learning Programme in Tembisa today, Intel South Africa’s education lead Andre Christian said the programme would give women, youth, smmes and co-operatives in poor communities the basic skills needed to either start micro-businesses, or simply to enter the job market.

The founder and director of Siyafunda CTC, Smiley Ahmed Ismael, said the Intel Easy Steps Programme is unique in that the lessons are self-taught, with the trainer acting as a guide and coach. “The programme is flexible in nature to cater for different needs and skill levels. It can be delivered as a 10 to 28-hour course, or can be a self-study course for those who cannot attend courses at fixed times,” said Ismael.

Intel and Siyafunda CTC this week hosted a two-day training workshop for 55 of Gauteng’s trainers and managers on the programme’s digital literacy and entrepreneurial courses. “We believe that people learn best through hands-on learning,” said Christian.

The course is offered at no cost or on a cost recovery basis to make the programme accessible and sustainable. Siyafunda CTC and Intel South Africa will work together to create a supporting ecosystem of NGOs, computer retailers and development agencies.

Intel’s regional director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Aysegul Ildeniz, says the Intel Easy Steps Learning Programme is part and parcel of the company’s broader focus on developing ICT skills within communities where people have had limited opportunity to acquire these skills.

Signing of MOU: Intel’s Regional Director for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Aysegul Ildeniz & Ahmed Ismael – Smiley - Director of Siyafunda CTC

Ahmed Smiley Ismael – Director @ Siyafunda Community Knowledge Centre 

SIYAFUNDA CTC scoops eIndia Award 2011 outside of INDIA for Best Telecentre Initiative

 The eINDIA Awards are dedicated to paying tribute to the landmark endeavours made by public and private entities for using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the fields of governance, health and education.

The selection of award winners is through a secure system of votes cast by public and by an eminent panel of judges. The highly prestigious eINDIA Awards have been instrumental in promoting the most innovative initiatives in the domain of ICT.  eINDIA 2011 Awards will be given to distinguished professionals and institutions working in the domains

AWARD OBJECTIVES

ü  To encourage institutions and individual leaders to use and apply ICT tools in various developmental and sector-specific projects.

ü  To turn the spotlight on emerging leaders and grassroots organisations involved in the progress of innovative projects, which lead to development of the community.

ü  To identify and felicitate projects, which can be easily implemented in India and rest of the South Asian region.

ü  To promote the most innovative initiatives in the field of ICT.

ü  To spread awareness about the role that ICT can play in addressing social concerns.

ü  To emphasise the instrumental effectiveness of ICT based applications

SIYAFUNDACTC’s Winning a top award in India for their community knowledge centre model. This project which was effectively born here has made Siyafundactc a recognised leader in this field, the founder of the organisation, Ahmed “Smiley” Ismail said after High Commissioner Virendra Gupta officially handed over the award at a function hosted by the founding partner SAP Africa’s Offices, Woodmead, Johannesburg on Monday 06 February , 2012

 “This has really filled me with a great deal of hope and encouragement,” Gupta said as Ismail received the prestigious e-India Jury Choice Award  for  Best Telecentre Initiative of the Year  for its project of partnering with leading ICT companies to develop Community Technology Centres  that give low-cost access and training to disadvantaged people across South Africa.

 “The future growth of development in our communities and societies is not going to be determined by its resources but by knowledge and technology. Any investment that can be made in knowledge-building and technology is therefore very much worth it.”

 Gupta said although governments make such investments, when communities start to also contribute to this it was very commendable.

 “Corporate social responsibility is just a cliché to many people and many things are done in the name of corporate social responsibility.  But I think I could not having come across a more meaningful way to undertake a project of this nature,” Gupta said as he lauded SAP and other Siyafundactc Partners (Cisco, Intel, Microsoft, Massmart, USAASA, ICDL, Ekurhuleni Metro, Learnthings, Nextgen, Junior Achievement) for supporting the Siyafunda initiatives together with local & national government partnership programmes.

 “Bringing education and technology to communities, poor people, and a wider spectrum of our population is a great service that really takes empowerment to the people that need it most.

 Gupta promised to take the message to the many Indian corporates that are active in South Africa such as Tata who are keen to undertake training programmes.

 “In any society the two most important factors are education and health, and any initiative that makes a contribution to these is very welcome.”

 Ismail was moved to tears as emotion overtook him when Gupta said he was contributing to the country in a similar way that Mahatma Gandhi had when he acted against injustice and subjugation to better the lives of people.

 “You have to walk the talk like Gandhi did, and Mr Ismail what you are doing today I think draws from the same level of inspiration. You are bringing about change and not just talking about it,” the High Commissioner said as he called on more people to follow Ismail’s example of giving up a lucrative job in a corporate environment to follow his dream of helping others who were less privileged.

 Gupta said initiatives such as that of Siyafundactc would also go a long way in correcting the imbalances created by the apartheid education system, in which the majority of South Africans were precluded from Mathematics and Science education which would improve their employability.

 Ismail said he had picked up the principles on which Siyafundactc is based while on many visits to India, where he saw the positive effect of technology on people’s lives in rural areas.

 “I was fascinated by this and believed that ICT for development could also be applied in South Africa,” Ismail said as he requested the High Commissioner to look into the possibility of getting the low cost Aakash tablet into South Africa as well.

 SAP Africa is a proud foundation partner and supporter of the Siyafunda community technology centres.  The plethora of independent awards received to date and now the E-India award confirms the incredible success and relevance of the centres in the quest to support sustainable communities, when benchmarked against the best across the world. says Sunil Geness, Corporate Affairs Executive, SAP Africa

From Left to Right: BRETT PARKER (GM – SAP AFRICA)

HIS EXCELLENCY HIGH COMMISSIONER OF INDIA to SOUTH AFRICA, MR VIRENDRA GUPTA , MR & MRS AHMED ISMAEL-SMILEY (DIRECTOR – SIYAFUNDACTC )

For further Info Contact:

Ahmed Ismael (Smiley) Director

SIYAFUNDA CTC – Community Technology Centre

Phone: 011 904 2720 (w)

Mobile: 082 552 5946

eMail: smiley@siyafundactc.org.za

Web: www.siyafundactc.org.za

UJ & SIYAFUNDACTC BRINGING THE VIRTUAL INCUBATOR TO COMMUNITIES

Front Row: Left to Right

Dr Susan Steinman – Director, Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Social Economy (CSESE) – UJ

Ahmed Ismael – Smiley – Director Siyafunda Community Technology Centre

Prof  Daneel Van Lill  – Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management – UJ

Colin  Ramogale – Manager Skills Development at Ekurhuleni Metro Council – Economic Development

 23.01.2012
Press Release Issued by:

Ahmed Smiley Ismael – Director @ Siyafunda
Community Knowledge Centre (SIYAFUNDACTC)

BRINGING THE VIRTUAL INCUBATOR TO COMMUNITIES

The Social
Virtual Incubator of the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Social Economy
(CSESE) will soon be available in 40 community centres throughout Gauteng,
Mpumalanga and the Free State. This outreach is the result of a partnership
between UJ’s CSESE within the Faculty of Management and Siyafunda Community
Technology Centres (CTC). The SVCs will be available in all CTCs as
Siyafundactc expands its network nationally in urban and rural communities.

An agreement was signed on Friday 13 January 2012, between the University of
Johannesburg represented by the Executive Dean, Prof D van Lill, the Director
of the CSESE, Dr S Steinman, faculty staff and Mr Ahmed (Smiley) Ismael the
Director of Siyafunda CTC and various important partners of Siyafundactc such
as the Ekurhuleni City Council, the Independent Development Corporation, the
Limpopo Development Council, SAP, CISCO, MICROSOFT, INTEL, MASSMART, ICDL,
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT, NEOTEL, USAASA, SMARTESSP, to name a few.

Smiley Ismael then said that Siyafunda CTC is truly humbled & honoured by the
partnership and look forward to serving the communities better through their
association with the University of Johannesburg. Siyafunda is a shining example
of community public-private partnerships and in turn making the University of
Johannesburg part of this huge network. Prof van Lill also emphasised the
importance of partnerships for the University of Johannesburg and the
communities and for the university to reach out to communities.

According to Dr Susan Steinman the Director of the CSESE “…taking the Social Economy
Organisations (SEO) Virtual Incubator to the heart of disadvantaged communities
is exactly what is needed to take education to people where they are”.

Users will be able to click onto a desktop icon to enter the Social Virtual incubator of
the CSESE where they can register for a trial period and make use of the
services offered in the incubator. One of these offering is an area where
Social Enterprise Organisations (SEOs) will be able to randomly engage with
coaches who could provide guidance on strategic issues, personal development or
even technical knowledge. This will be done through chat-rooms.

For enquiries please contact:

Adelaide Sheik, Stakeholder Coordinator,

Centre for Social Entrepreneurship & Social Economy (CSESE) – UJ

Tel Nbr:          011 559 1681

Email:             adelaides@uj.ac.za 

Ahmed Ismael (Smiley) , Director

SIYAFUNDA CTC – Community Technology Centre

Phone: 011 904 2720 (w)

Mobile: 082 552 5946

eMail: smiley@siyafundactc.org.za

Web: www.siyafundactc.org.za

We are hounoured to announce that Siyafunda CTC has been nominated for the

eINDIA AWARDS 2011

eGOV AWARDS

Best Telecentre Initiative of the Year

The Award for Telecentre Initiative of the Year aims to honour government organisations, non-governmental organisations, bi-lateral, multi-lateral developmental organisations and private enterprises from throughout the world that demonstrate extraordinary effort, innovation, leadership, and excellence in the use of digital technologies to support community, economic, educational, and social development….

1.  CPPP : Community Public Private Participation through Community Knowledge Centre Model ::

Siyafunda Community Technology Centre, Gauteng, SOUTH AFRICA

To cast your vote go to    http://awards.eletsonline.com/egov-eindia-2011-awards/

As a partnership & also a Networking Academy,Siyafunda CTC has been sponsored with HP .Printer,Servers with its Clients,and other Equipment in which has been installed this whol week at three Siyafunda Community Knowledge Centers, which include Siyafunda Palm-Ridge “Head Of Office” ,Watteville, And Ratanda.

The installation was done by Siyafunda’s Genetic Technicians And  Inveneo Engineer from U.S Networking specialist who provided support in network engineering and security.

“The hands-on experience that i gained through the program was particularly helpful in providing a solid foundation for his career and helping him to earn CCNA in Future and also The practical labs where the best thing about the whole program,” says Innocent Kutama.

The System are up and running and well operating in which now the Maintenance will be done By Siyafunda’s Technicians , many Thanks to Cisco & Inveneo.

SIYAFUNDA CTC TO PARTICIPATE AND EXHIBIT TO THE ICT

CAREER EXPO FROM 03 – 05 OCTOBER 2011

The Department of Communication invites Siyafunda CTC, to participate and exhibit in this year’s expo. as an opportunity for the ICT sector  to  showcase  programmes  and  career  opportunities  within  their  core business aimed at promoting ICT  career development.

The e-Skills Institute under the auspices of the Department of Communications (DoC) in conjunction with portfolio organizations, ICT service providers and other key stakeholders will be hosting the fourth annual ICT Career Expo from 03 to 05October 2011. The underpinning objective of this expo is to facilitate access to information and knowledge on career paths available within the Information and Communications Sector.

The programme of the ICT Career Expo will follow a thematic format consisting of four main components; plenary, parallel sessions, industry visits and an ICT stakeholders’ exhibition.  The  expo will be convened under the theme: “The e- Generation, building capacity for an e – Society”.

The expo will be run simultaneously in Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State.  An estimated 2500 students studying NQF level 4 in ICT related courses, Grade 10 – 12 learners from surrounding schools as well as IT Graduates will attend the main expo which will take place at the Telkom Centre for Learning, Olifantsfontein. All of the plenary sessions from this venue will be digitally transmitted to the four provincial expos

The purpose of this agreement is to provide the terms and conditions of collaboration between USAASA and Siyafunda CTC to ensure that management of telecentres is empowered and supported to operate the centres sustainably. Furthermore, to provide the basis for a working relationship between Siyafunda CTC and USAASA, to identify areas of co-operation and ensure that resources are shared where possible in promoting the goals of ensuring that all citizens especially those in the community areas where the Telecentres are operating have access to electronic communications service and broadcasting service.

USAASA will provide funding to the community Telecentres through Siyafunda CTC to enable Siyafunda CTC to operate the Telecentres; such funding will be directed to ICT network connectivity and infrastructure cabling connectivity; computers and technology infrastructure; research and development on ICT resourcing of Telecentres; research and development of Technology Social Entrepreneurship amongst other things.

”The Agency has realised that the sustainability of these Access Centres that have been rolled out depend on partnering with established entities like SIYAFUNDA CTC that have a tried and tested sustainable model for the community centres to operate optimally”, that is according to Mr. Phineas Moleele (USAASA’s CEO).

The vision of USAASA is that by the year 2020, together with its partners, will have created an environment where every man, woman and child whether living in the remote areas of the Kalahari or in the urban areas of Gauteng will be able to connect, speak, explore and study using ICT.

SIYAFUNDA CTC enables Information and Community Knowledge Centres, where people can access Computers, the Internet, and other digital technologies that enable them to gather information, create, learn, and communicate with others while they develop essential digital skills. The focus is on the use of digital technologies to support and address basic human needs, community, economic, educational, and social development—reducing isolation, bridging the digital divide, promoting health issues, creating economic opportunities, and reaching out to youth, the unemployed, women, people with disabilities, thereby making them employable and alleviating unemployment by networking with recruitment agencies, government agencies and businesses, thus becoming an enabler for job creation.
SIYAFUNDA CTC establishes partnerships and relationships with multi-stakeholders;
local governments & municipalities, private business organisations, community based organisations, schools, universities in delivering Community Technology Centres in previously disadvantaged communities and areas.

At the beginning of 2011, SIYAFUNDA CTC with its local and new international partners has now evolved the model into the CKC – COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE CENTRES.

“Our new vision is to be the network of community hubs and knowledge centres of excellence in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa,”said Smiley Ismael,the Programme Director of Siyafunda CTC.

Reference: http://www.itweb.co.za

Information Technology For All
Two ladies from Siyafunda Palm-ridge today where working one on one, Assembling computers and booting them , which is part of their Cisco IT Essentials Course Curriculum. As part as Woman’s Month two ladies have been leading the practical’s session today.

“The ladies are doing extremely well than expected, there are will be finishing their Course at the end of October. We are advising most to take part in that kind of curriculums as its not only meant for male people “said Siyafunda Cisco ITE instructor Mr A.Kutama

Practical classes will be running on Saturdays for the next few month.

30 July 2011
With the number of ballots already counted following May’s local government elections in which they reflected another convincing victory for the African National Congress at Palm-ridge ward 58, the movement and the new councilor has throw a victory party for its supporters to thank them for the race well run at Isolomzi palace this past Saturday.
Councilor Robert Pienaar addresses the hundreds of supporters which include Siyafunda CTC staff at event.
He will, amongst others, also commend ANC volunteers, the rank and file membership, supporters, leaders of various structures and the alliance for their huge sacrifices and effort during the campaign, he also thank Siyafunda for helping and working together with the organization and community for making posters, invitation letters for meeting , ect .