E1.2 MILLION COMPUTER LAB FOR EMTHONJENI HIGH SCHOOL
"Today is, indeed, a happy day for our company and I feel greatly privileged and honoured to be standing in front of you. Swaziland Electricity Company (sec) is pleased to have partnered with Motraco in financing the construction of such an essential facility at this immaculate school." This were remarks made by the Chairman of the SEC Board of Directors Sthofeni Ginindza during the official hand over of a computer laboratory at Emthonjeni High School on the 29th of June, 2018. Speaking through Lindiwe Dlamini who is also a board member, Ginindza said SEC together with Motraco, have spent a whopping E1.2 million constructing the Emthonjeni high school’s computer lab. “What makes this project special is that it is the first of its kind for our company. Since 1963 when sec was established we have made countless donations to different organisations, mostly schools, but we never thought of building a computer lab,” he said.
Ministers anvailing the plaque
The Chairperson also highlighted that SEC has been supporting the education sector in the kingdom as education is one of their corporate social investment (CSI’s) key focus areas as demonstrated by the millions of emalangeni they have invested in a number of related initiatives. Some of the initiatives include; A donation of E3 million worth of learning equipment to the electrical & electronics department at the university of Swaziland (UNISWA), construction of a E350 000 worth kitchen for Hlabazonkhe Primary School, annual sponsorship of top uniswa students (E1 500 each) in electrical engineering & information technology, assistance to a number of primary & high schools to complete their building structures, donation of computers, desks and teaching materials to several schools, annual sponsorship of two pupils, who have excelled in the IGCSE examination and funding of pupils nominated during the Swaziland Science Fair to attend an educational tour at ESKOM in South Africa, among other initiatives.
Concluding his remarks the chairperson passed appreciation to the Minister for Education for his endless efforts in improving the standard of education in the country and his determination and energy to motivate companies like SEC to continue supporting education. “I wish to assure you that sec remains committed to supporting education to ensure a better future for children from all walks of life,” he said.
Chairman of SEC Board Mr. Ginindza and Board Member Lindiwe Dlamini
The Head Teacher of Emthonjeni High School Thokozile Dlamini was thankful to SEC and Motraco for such a remarkable gift in the form of a computer lab. “Our joy is so immeasurable and we really run short of words to say thank you to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, SEC and Motraco who have bestowed such a wonderful gift to our community,” she said. Dlamini said that the SEC has rekindled a spark of hope in their hearts that students from the community will now be part of the future prosperity of the entire nation, as everybody is working towards attaining the first world status. She further promised that the School will take good care of facility and ensuring that it is always safe and well maintained.
Thokozile explaining to the Ministers about the facility.
Delivering the key note address Minister for Natural Resources and Energy Jabulile Mashwama said His Majesty the King Mswati III pronounced a goal of attaining an economic status comparable to those of developed nations by the year 2022. “The provision of sustainable energy solutions is pivotal in attaining this vision,” she said. The Minister highlighted that it important to acknowledge and leverage on the strength of the nexus approach towards development. “This computer laboratory project therefore has demonstrated the importance of interlinkages of the energy, education and ICT sectors in attaining the vision of the kingdom of Eswatini,” she said. Minister Mashwama said she was honoured to celebrate the successful completion of the Emthonjeni High School computer laboratory, which will benefit current and future generations of students at the said school. The Minister appreciated the role that SEC’s social mandate plays in the attainment of the Kingdom of Eswatini’s development goals. “This initiative not only creates stakeholder value but also creates a positive impact on the Edwaleni community,” Mashwama said.
Minister Mashwama thanked Motraco and the SEC Board for availing funds for building such an important asset for the community of Edwaleni as part of giving back to the community. The Minister also appreciated the SEC management and staff for supervising the construction of the computer laboratory to ensure that the facility was built to the required standard.
SEC MD, Thokozile Dlamini and Motraco CEO in group picture with the Ministers.
The Minister for Education Phineas Magagula when receiving the facility on behalf of his Ministry said ICT allows learners to discover educational opportunities and improve academic performance therefore the Provision of ICT connectivity is essential to provide learners with what is commonly called ‘twenty-first century skills’. “As rapid technological development constantly drive and reshape the economy, it is vital for learners and citizens to be highly proficient in the use of ICT’s,” said Magagula.
Minister Magagula said His Majesty’s Government will be forever grateful to SEC and Motraco and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy for assisting Emthonjeni High in such a time of need.