Networking giant Cisco and technology solutions provider MakwaIT have come together to support the Diepsloot community through donating digital technologies to the Wot-if? Trust non-profit organisation.
Last week, the tech companies handed over Cisco Meraki products to Wot-if? Trust, in support of youth and small businesses in the Diepsloot community.
Cisco Meraki solutions include wireless, switching, security products, enterprise mobility management and security cameras, all centrally managed from the web. MakwaIT handles the deployment of the Meraki software to allow Wot-if? to manage its devices using cloud-based centralised management and run diagnostics on secure and high-quality wireless / wired networks.
Diepsloot-based Wot-if? Trust initiates programmes and projects based on community needs, with a focus on corporate social investment, socio-economic, enterprise and supplier development programmes in Diepsloot. Through its centre, the non-profit has a key focus on developing women and youth, small businesses and cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship, to ensure the creation of sustainable opportunities in the township.
According to a statement, the donated products will help Wot-if? enable platforms, programmes and spaces in Diepsloot that connect local small business owners and entrepreneurs with opportunities that aid them in generating sustainable incomes, enhancing livelihoods for the entrepreneur and the community members they are connected to.
“Our facilities in Diepsloot serve members of the community in a number of ways, but shared computers open us up to viruses, malware and cyber attacks. The Cisco hardware and software offers us security (both physical and cyber) in ways we never thought possible,” says Gail Styger, founder and trustee at Wot-If?.
“The Meraki software will allow us to improve and better manage our service offering. For the small businesses and community organisations we support, this equipment and show of support is a huge vote of confidence, not only in the work we do, but in the participants who use our facilities − it shows in a very tangible way that they are worth investing in.”
The donation comes after Wot-If? had over the past few months suffered a malware attack on its server, and needed a technological solutions partner.
Yasmin Kirton, global EMEAR commercial director at Cisco, notes the company’s vision in Africa is to support the digitisation of businesses, communities and government through several initiatives, including skills and talent development, innovation and job creation.
“Cisco and MakwaIT delivered the technical scope (end-to-end) including implementation and training. Our goal with this project was to leave the Wot-if? centre more digitally-enabled to meet its day-to-day service goals for the community of Diepsloot. We also wanted to ensure Wot-if?’s vision of becoming a leading tech hub for skills development in young children could be realised,” notes Kirton.
The ripple effect that comes from all technological improvements is an investment in education, and it was important that users not only have access to the technology but also the skills development needed to best use it for their own economic empowerment, adds Kirton.
Lethabo Mokone, founder and CEO of MakwaIT Technologies, explains: “We have to inform, educate and create accessibility to see tangible change and this is something that we take great pride in – whether it be through our ICT skills incubation drive or support of the Wot-if? Trust, community value and empowering communities is at the heart of what we aim to achieve.”
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