The Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, conducted the official handover of three newly refurbished classrooms, including a computer laboratory, as part of a broader school infrastructure upgrade at Hitekani Primary School in Soweto. The project was realised through the sponsorship of MTN South Africa and American Tower Corporation South Africa (ATC), in partnership with the Ride4Hope Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, and in collaboration with the DBE. This initiative forms part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to improve school infrastructure, enhance learning environments, and support equitable access to quality education.

Prior to this intervention, learners at the school had no access to digital learning resources. The newly established ICT laboratory introduces digital learning, ICT and e-learning to the school for the first time, providing learners and educators with essential skills and tools to participate effectively in the digital economy. In addition, the two other refurbished classrooms will help alleviate overcrowding, providing additional space to accommodate learners and support a more effective teaching and learning environment.

In her keynote address, Minister Gwarube highlighted the transformative impact of the upgraded facilities: “This is not just about a classroom or a computer laboratory — it is about unlocking potential, inspiring dreams, and transforming the lives of our children. These facilities provide learners with the tools, the confidence, and the opportunity to aspire to greater heights”. She also noted that infrastructure improvements must be complemented by quality teaching, dedicated leadership, and active community engagement to ensure sustainable educational outcomes.

Ms Dineo Molefe, Chief Financial Officer at MTN, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to digitisation and ICT education, highlighting the opportunities for learners to develop critical skills for future leadership and innovation. Ms Samantha Sequeira, representing ATC South Africa, outlined the company’s longstanding investment in digital inclusion and community development, including the establishment of 67 digital communities, the provision of over 2,000 devices, and the direct support of more than 33,000 learners.

Minister Gwarube concluded by stressing the importance of collaborative partnerships between government, the private sector, and civil society: “Education is a shared national project. Together, we can ensure that no child learns in unsafe or unsuitable conditions, and that every learner has the opportunity to thrive”. She reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to leveraging such partnerships to expand access, improve outcomes, and support the holistic development of all learners.

This development represents a strategic step towards addressing the digital divide and strengthening foundational and 21st-Century skills amongst learners.