The WCG eCentre is bridging the ICT gap in Waboomskraal

Waboomskraal is a rural town situated in the Outeniqua mountains. The town located in the greater George municipality is well-known for being one of the largest hops-producing areas in South Africa, producing a wide range of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The Waboomskraal farming community was established by woodcutters 120 years ago and gradually developed into a mixed farming area. Most citizens in the community are farm workers who work on the hops, fruit, and flower farms.

With a population of about 3000 citizens, Waboomskraal is still an underdeveloped community with a few houses without electricity services and most of the youth unemployed due to poor academic results. Some of the community needs include daily public transport, a clinic for health services, sanitation and water, recreational programmes and housing.

The Waboomskraal WCG eCentre opened in April 2012 and is located in the Waboomskraal Thusong Centre, formerly known as Waboomskraal multi-purpose community centre. The opening of the eCentre was welcomed with excitement by the community because this meant that there would be access to computers and the use of the services provided at no cost. The eCentre serves about 600 members, offering them advanced computer training, which helps members with job applications and university applications.

According to the eCentre manager, Monica, the eCentre is a success because it helped many community members like Wilmarie January achieve their goals. Wilmarie applied to study teaching at a university while she was doing her internship at the eCentre. She completed her studies and is now permanently employed as a qualified teacher.

Danielle Meiring, who also worked at the eCentre as an Assistant Administrator, studied Public Management part-time, and she is now a permanent Administrator at the Oudtshoorn municipality.

Services:

• Free Internet Access
• Email Access and assistance to create emails.
• Online Job searches and applications
• Online University Applications
• Assist scholars with schoolwork & homework assignments.
• Assist users with SARS e-filing website registration.
• Free Printing of a maximum of 10 pages per day.
• Scanning of documents

Training:

• Basic Informal Computer Course Training
• E-learner Online Computer Course Training
• International Computer Digital Literacy (ICDL) Computer Course Training

Contact the eCentre:

Email: waboomskraal.eCentre@gmail.com

Tel: 044 886 0053

Address:

Waboomskraal Thusong Centre
SAB Hop Farms
Heidekruin
Waboomskraal
George
6547

Operating hours: 

Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 17:00