South Africa launches ICT Cyberlab to expand digital learning access in Eastern Cape School
Date: 2026-05-17
By: Kanto Kai Okanta
The Department of
Communications and Digital Technologies, in partnership with Telkom, has
officially handed over a fully equipped ICT Cyberlab to Thubalethu Secondary
School in Fort Beaufort, Eastern Cape, as part of efforts to expand digital
learning access in under-resourced communities.
The initiative was led by
Deputy Minister Mondli Gungubele alongside Telkom Consumer and Small Business
CEO Lunga Siyo, and forms part of ongoing interventions aimed at strengthening
digital inclusion in South Africa’s education sector.
The new facility provides
759 learners from the Quintile 3 school in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality with
access to 40 NComputing stations, a 65-inch interactive screen, a dedicated
server, LTE connectivity, and zero-rated educational content designed to
support teaching and learning.
According to stakeholders,
the construction and installation of the ICT Cyberlab, including electrical
upgrades, security systems, and furniture, were implemented through local
Black-owned businesses, positioning the project as both a digital inclusion and
local economic empowerment initiative.
The handover represents
Telkom’s fourth consecutive ICT laboratory rollout since 2023, aligned with
broader global digital development goals linked to the International
Telecommunication Union’s World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
themes, including digital resilience and connectivity.
Officials said the
initiative is intended to bridge the digital divide by providing learners with
practical access to technology and digital skills development tools within the
school environment.
The project is expected to
strengthen educational outcomes and enhance digital literacy among learners,
while contributing to broader national efforts to integrate technology into
South Africa’s basic education system.
