Former president Nelson Mandela opened the new Ngubechanti School and clinic, funded by Microsoft South Africa, in the Mqanduli district, Eastern Cape, on Thursday, 14 June.
The project, valued at R4 million, focused on establishing a school and clinic that would provide education and primary healthcare services to the surrounding nine communities.
Learners have been receiving their lessons since the beginning of 2001 in the new school, which comprises of 10 classrooms, a staff room, administrative offices, a school hall and a principal`s office. The second phase of the project, which was completed at the beginning of June 2001, involved building a clinic that will provide the surrounding communities with primary healthcare services.
The Eastern Cape Departments of Education and Health provided the equipment to furnish the school and clinic as well as staff and teacher resources to fulfil in the educational and healthcare requirements of the communities.
In April 1999, former president Nelson Mandela approached Microsoft South Africa to assist the Mahlungulu community in building a new school that would provide learners with improved learning facilities.
"Worldwide, Microsoft has made a commitment to the youth and we are convinced that education is one of the greatest enablers in developing the social and economic well-being of future generations," says Mark Hill, managing director at Microsoft South Africa. "Microsoft South Africa became involved in building the Ngubechanti School and clinic because we firmly believe in providing people with the resources that will allow them to accomplish great things."
Further long-term plans include the introduction of technology to the school and linking the learners and community to other schools and communities through the Internet.
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