@MakwaIT and @Cisco_SA Bring Cutting Edge Technology to #Diepsloot Community #MakwaIT #CuriosityInnovates

Hi Friends, 

Cisco and Makwa-IT have today come together to tackle the grassroots development challenges faced in South Africa through the announcement of their support of the Wot-if? Trust who manage and initiate a number of programmes and projects based on expressed community needs with a focus on CSI, Socio-Economic, Enterprise and Supplier Development programmes in Diepsloot.

At a launch event at the Wot-if? premises, the program will see Makwa-IT donating resources to deploy networking technologies to the non-profit organisation (NPO), which will help them realise significant gains in productivity, scalability, and cost-efficiency, exclusively using Cisco solutions.

Wot-if? enables platforms, programs and spaces in Diepsloot that connect local small business owners and entrepreneurs with opportunities that aid them in generating sustainable incomes, enhancing livelihoods for the entrepreneur and the community members they are connected to.

Wot-if?’s focus on the fields of transformation, social innovation and community development encourages the creation of self-sustaining initiatives based on innovative models that are replicable, scalable and measurable.

So it is that, when the NPO found itself subjected to a malware attack on its server, which placed it in an extremely precarious position in as far as its stored information, they found themselves in need of a technological solutions partner. Enter Makwa-IT and Cisco.

The solution presented was Cisco Meraki, which enables cloud-controlled Wi-Fi, routing, and security. With Makwa-IT, the deployment of the Meraki software will allow Wot-if? to manage their devices using cloud-based centralised management and run diagnostics on secure and high-quality wireless/wired networks.

“Our facilities in Diepsloot serve members of the community in a number of ways, but shared computers open us up to viruses, malware and cyber-attacks. The Cisco hardware and software offers us security (both physical and cyber) in ways we never thought possible,” says Gail Styger, Founder and Trustee at Wot-If?. “The Meraki software will allow us to improve and better manage our service offering.

“For the small businesses and community organisations we support, this equipment and show of support is a huge vote of confidence, not only in the work we do but in the participants who use our facilities - it shows in a very tangible way that they are worth investing in.”

Not just a box drop

Yasmin Kirton, Global EMEAR Commercial Director at Cisco vision in Africa is to support the digitization of businesses, communities, and government through several initiatives with skills and talent development, innovation and job creation.

The ripple effect that comes from all technological improvements is an investment in education and it was important that users not only have access to the technology but also the skills development needed to best use it for their own economic empowerment.

“Cisco and Makwa-IT delivered the technical scope (end-to-end) including implementation and training. Our goal with this project was to leave the Wot-if? centre more digitally enabled to meet its day-to-day service goals for the community of Diepsloot. We also wanted to ensure that Wot-if?’s vision of becoming a leading tech hub for skills development in young children could be realised.

“The project began with us conducting face to face customer consultations, to understand their business objectives and mapping them to our solutions. From the architectural design, we put together the technical proposal and the scope of work that was needed to meet their objectives. This included the funding of equipment, resources and the teams needed to make this a success. The outcome was an architectural design that would give the Wot-if? centre cutting edge capabilities in today’s digital economy.”

Lethabo Mokone, Founder and CEO of Makwa-IT Technologies, says the only way to ensure that the benefits of digital transformation are felt throughout the country is to drive accessibility to the technology but adds that this is only one part of a far greater education and inclusivity deliverable.

“We have to inform, educate and create accessibility to see tangible change and this is something that we take great pride in whether it be through our ICT skills incubation drive or support of the Wot-if? trust, community value and empowering communities are at the heart of what we aim to achieve,” he says.

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Global Chess Day celebrated in Diepsloot @MontecasinoZA @TsogoSun #TsogoCSR

Hi Guys,

The International Day of Chess was celebrated with fun chess games and lessons by Montecasino’s Tsogo Sun Moves for Life programme at five Diepsloot Primary Schools, from 25-28 July. The International Day of Chess, under the auspices of the World Chess Federation since 1966, traditionally falls on 20 July, and was celebrated by the Diepsloot pupils on their return from school holidays.

The aim of the activities for the three foundation grades was to focus on chess as an inclusive and entertaining sport that can be applied in many different aspects of learning.

Nationally, Tsogo Sun Moves for Life operates in 50 schools around the country, with 19 549 participating learners, 543 educators, and 17 tutors from the local communities. The programmes are sponsored by seven of Tsogo Sun’s casinos. Montecasino has been sponsoring the chess programme in Diepsloot for four years in five primary schools, accommodating 3 797children.

Grade 3 learners from Paradise Bend Primary School in Diepsloot celebrating international chess day. (Left-Right) Pretty Ncube, Dineo Make, Morrison Sibanda and Thembani Sibanda

The participating primary schools are Reshomile, Diepsloot Primary No. 4, Muzomuhle, Paradise Bend, and Musenga Vhadzimu.

The chess fun and games took place during the normal chess lessons and included ‘chess charades’ for Grade 1s; ‘the chess piece is me’ for Grade 2s, where the kids used recycled media to design themselves as chess pieces, wrote about why they chose the piece, and shared their choices with their classmates; and a ‘tic tac chess tournament’ for Grade 3s, a chess version of noughts and crosses, where winners played winners until the last child standing became the grade winner.

Says Shanda Paine, Tsogo Sun’s Group CSI Manager, “The International Day of Chess activities over the four days were a huge hit with the children, who participated wholeheartedly, while gaining skills in chess, maths, communication, expression, reasoning, planning, creativity, self-confidence, and more, as well as creating greater awareness of the significant benefits that chess can offer every child within the schools and among parents.”

Grade 1 Learners from Paradise Bend Primary School in Diepsloot celebrating international chess day :(left-right) Nathi Nkosi, Lesedi Madube,Nomathemba Mnguni (Montecasino) Thapelo Madube, Mduduzi Nkomo, Nkosana Sithole, Sboniso Ntobela (Montecasino), Siphamandla Ndebele and Backrow Sibonkosi Ncube

Mike Page, Operations Director and Complex GM of Montecasino, “Montecasino is very privileged to be in a position to take this value-adding chess programme to these children in Diepsloot. The Tsogo Sun Moves for Life chess programme intentionally links chess principles to life skills, mathematics, science and language, and impacting the improvement of the educational performance of as many children as possible.”

For more information go to www.montecasino.co.za, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/montecasino or follow us on Twitter at @MontecasinoZA. 

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Safe-Hub #Diepsloot @TsogoSun @MonteCasinoZA AMANDLA EduFootball

Hi Guys, 

A Safe-Hub that will give approximately 2000 youngster from grades R to matric in Diepsloot north of Johannesburg regular access to a safe environment for facilitated sports, arts, life skills lessons, personal development, accredited training courses – and the opportunity for a better future – was officially launched on 3 February at Muzomuhle Primary School. 

The Diepsloot Safe-Hub was funded and built by AMANDLA EduFootball (AMANDLA) in collaboration with the Oliver Kahn Foundation and Tsogo Sun’s flagship entertainment destination, Montecasino, as part of its CSI activities. The implementation of the on-going programme will be delivered by AMANDLA through a funding partnership with Montecasino, representing an investment of close on R4 million over three years, together with other potential partners. This is the third Safe-Hub in South Africa and the first in Johannesburg. The other two are located in Khayelitsha and Gugulethu-Manenberg in the Western Cape.

AMANDLA is an international Non-Profit Organisation and owner of the internationally acclaimed Safe-Hub model, whose mission is to create safe spaces that bring together the power of football and learning to empower youth and change lives. The Safe-Hubs provide a comprehensive, integrated set of youth development services in collaboration with the local community, using football as the key driver of engagement and retention.

Each Safe-Hub acts as a multi-purpose community hub where people can access a range of education, health, accredited training and enterprise development services, providing a viable and attractive alternative for young people to get involved in positive activities. At Safe-Hubs young people are encouraged to explore their individuality, build a core set of values, and strengthen their ability to deal with the challenges they face in life. At AMANDLA’s two Safe-Hubs in Gugulethu and Khayelitsha, research shows that the programmes there have resulted in a reduction of 44% in crime and violence within the Safe-Hubs’ catchment areas and a 49% improvement in maths and English school results.

The new Safe-Hub in Diepsloot will offer a wide set of youth development activities, and will incorporate a range of existing programmes that Montecasino is already running in several schools in Diepsloot. These include athletics, chess and arts, all of which are designed as a platform for growth for young people.

Florian Zech, Founder of AMANDLA EduFootball, says, “Our experience and research tells us that we cannot achieve sustainable impact in marginalised communities without in-depth collaboration. We are delighted to have been able to partner with the Oliver Kahn Foundation and Tsogo Sun and Montecasino to bring the Safe-Hub to Diepsloot. The ability to bring together partners from all sectors allows us create lasting change among our youth and communities – and today marks the first exciting step on this journey.”

Says Montecasino GM, Glenn Joseph, “Diepsloot is on our doorstep, it is home to many of our staff members and is a focus area for many of our CSI initiatives. The safe-hub will provide a welcome and safe environment for positive development, fun, and stimulating activities for children and young people.” The easy accessibility of Diepsloot from Montecasino also provides Montecasino and Tsogo Sun head office staff members with opportunities to volunteer at the safe-hub, helping out with the range of activities on offer.

Muzomuhle Primary School was chosen as the ideal site for the Safe-Hub as Montecasino has been working with the school, offering various programmes, for more than four years. “The school governing body has always been positive and enthusiastic about our involvement – and they welcomed the opportunity to increase their contribution to the children of the community by providing the premises for the safe-hub. The school is also the biggest and oldest in Diepsloot, with more than 2 300 learners from grades R to 7, and it is in a central location, making it accessible to young people from all over Diepsloot,” says Joseph.

Substantial progress has already been made in the development of the Diepsloot Safe-Hub. Phase one, which comprised the football component, kicked off in December, while plans and preparations for phase two were finalised. Key appointments were made, including that of Thobekile Buthelezi as manager of the Diepsloot Safe-Hub, along with two members of the Diepsloot community who are being mentored to become facilitators to run the football and life skills activities.

Phase two, designed pro bono by South African architectural firm DHK will be completed during 2017, comprises a two-storey building on the school premises where the arts and sports life skills lessons, a youth café, a computer lab, and other personal development initiatives will take place. “We are already in discussion with other organisations and corporates about collaborations on programmes that will contribute to the development of the youth in Diepsloot,” says Joseph. For example, it is envisaged that the youth café will be a conduit for accredited training in the food & beverage sector, in skills such as cooking, waitering, and other possible job opportunities. Security company, Servest, has come on board and is providing security for the premises, and a major corporate is considering establishing a computer lab, with appropriate facilities and services for training.

“We are exceptionally excited about this opportunity to make a real difference in thousands of young lives – working with professional and committed partners, such as AMANDLA, who are as passionate as we are about providing a platform for children to gain skills, to grow, to learn, to adopt healthy values, and to be themselves and have fun,” he says. “We look forward to working with the Diepsloot community and seeing this safe-hub have a real impact on it, providing tangible opportunities for brighter futures for many youngsters.”

Tsogo Sun’s portfolio includes over 90 hotels and 14 casino and entertainment destinations throughout South Africa, Africa, the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi. For further information, visit tsogosun.com, follow on Twitter and Instagram @TsogoSun or like on Facebook/TsogoSun.

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