• MTN, the Departments of Basic Education and Digital Communications have launched a donation programme in efforts to connect 12 million learners to the internet.
• The Connecting Every Child Programme is now accepting donations of mobile devices, with a target set at 30 000.
• MTN has already donated 2 000 mobile devices to the programme.

The Departments of Basic Education and Digital Communication have joined MTN in launching an online pledging system in the hopes of sourcing 30 000 mobile devices to support the education of millions of young underprivileged South African learners.

It is called the “Connecting Every Child Programme” and the drive is set to donate these devices to schools across the country in efforts to connect 12 million children to the internet, the company says in a press release sent to Hypertext.

“Without access to connectivity and e-learning devices our children, our grandchildren and the generations to come will be left behind. We call on all corners of society to join us – device manufacturers, technology companies, individuals and businesses alike both in the public and private sector,” said MTN SA CEO Charles Molapisi. 

Molapisi has long been a proponent for ICT skills development in South African children, believing it to be a catalyst for economic attainment. He coined MTN’s “One household, one developer” slogan to mirror these aspirations.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, Molapisi and Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Communication Minister Solly Malatsi were on hand at the MTN headquarters in Fairland, Johannesburg to launch the programme. They were joined by learners from local schools.

Lesufi said that the Gauteng Department of Education will use its share of mobile devices to enhance teaching quality, give wider access to learner materials, learner engagement, and school administration by training teachers and introducing smart software into the classroom.

Donations service and charity organisation Forgood will be handling the online donations and pledging system that MTN and the departments launched. “The devices will go towards deserving schools across the country, largely in rural and remote areas. Additionally, for those who prefer to drop off physical smart devices, will be able to do so at MTN’s regional offices,” the company explains.

MTN started off the programme, donating 2 000 devices, it says.

“Access to connectivity, devices and educational content is critical to advancing education in our country. Initiatives like the Connecting Every Child Programme will certainly help the department to realise its ambition of ensuring every child has access to a device,” said Minister Gwarube.

“We will also intensify our efforts at improving digital literacy levels both our primary school and secondary school.”

Want to donate some devices for school learners in South Africa? Click here.

[Image – DBE on X]