Two government departments partnered to make sure that Grade 12 pupils at Cloetesville High School have smart ID cards and teachers of science have access to laptops.

^{From left to right, Stephanie Heneke, a Stellenbosch PR councillor, Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, Stellenbosch Mayor Jeremy Fasser, and Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber at the joint ministerial programme outreach at Cloetesville High School. PHOTO: Bulela Sikithi}

On 22 April, representatives of the departments of Basic Education (DBE) and Home Affairs (DHA) collaborated with MTN to make the donation. 

Through the programme, more than 400 schools across the Western Cape have received laptops and smart ID cards for matric pupils. Cloetesville High received 15 laptops for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teachers, along with 10 smart ID cards for matric pupils.

Recognising that matric learners require smart IDs, the DBE and the DHA, in partnership with MTN, brought both ID services and digital learning resources directly to Cloetesville High School.

Siviwe Gwarube, the Minister of Education and Dr Leon Schreiber, the Minister of Home Affairs were joined by the Mayor of Stellenbosch, Jeremy Fasser, for the Ministerial Programme Outreach at Cloetesville High School. 

“What we want to do is deliver what we call ‘Home Affairs at home’, the idea that we must keep bringing Home Affairs services closer and closer to the people,” said Schreiber. 

Schreiber emphasised that the smart ID cards handover was particularly important because it unlocks opportunities for the learners to enrol in higher education, find employment and open bank accounts.

Gwarube added that with over 200 school days in the academic year, this initiative would prevent students from missing classes while queuing at Home Affairs.

^{Charmelle Nasau, one of 10 Grade 12s who received a smart ID as part of the Home Affairs outreach initiative. PHOTO: Bulela Sikithi}

“We’re working with not only MTN but other telecom companies to make sure that there’s connectivity in schools. We want to make sure that where there’s been victims of fires, we are able to work with Home Affairs to be able to bring them those ID cards, so that no child is left behind,” said Gwarube. Although they are not where they want to be, she added that they are determined to bridge the digital divide. 

^{From left to right, Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, Executive Mayor of Stellenbosch, Jeremy Fasser, and MTN general manager of the Western Cape, Noluthando Pama, handing over 15 laptops to teachers in collaboration with MTN. PHOTO: Bulela Sikithi}

The ministers emphasised the importance of the initiative – to bring essential government services to the community, ensuring that every child has access to education and public services.

 “We are constantly engaging with the minister to [determine] which school has a need, and when the need does arise, we’re able to have the resources to meet that need,” said Noluthando Pama, the general manager of MTN in the Western Cape.

The resources provided were not just for learners but for educators as well. “We live in a digital world, it will help with the teachers’ development and will also help with the class to better prepare and to ensure that we get the 100% [pass rate],” said principal of Cloetesville High School. 

Cloetesville High School, which achieved an 80.6% matric pass rate last year, hopes their new tools will enable them to reach 100% this year.