Services
COMPUTER FACILITATION CENTRE
The Computer Facilitation Centre consists of computers used for basic computer literacy as well as Microsoft Unlimited Potential Courses. Computer literacy is offered in both English and Isizulu interface. The Isizulu interface programme is highly appreciated by rural communities as it makes it easier to bridge the digital gap. Computer literacy classes are offered free of charge to registered members of all ages from Grade one to pensioners.
In keeping with the ICT development ideology, the Centre has embarked on a programme to educate school principals and other members of management to become competent and confident in the use of various software applications.
The Computer Facilitation Centre consists of computers used for basic computer literacy as well as Microsoft Unlimited Potential Courses. Computer literacy is offered in both English and Isizulu interface. The Isizulu interface programme is highly appreciated by rural communities as it makes it easier to bridge the digital gap. Computer literacy classes are offered free of charge to registered members of all ages from Grade one to pensioners.
In keeping with the ICT development ideology, the Centre has embarked on a programme to educate school principals and other members of management to become competent and confident in the use of various software applications.
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The Centre has been fortunate to try out the Isizulu Language Interface Programme for Microsoft.
Refer to article (New computer languages).
New computer languages
19 November 2009
Nawhal Kara
More than half of South Africans cannot use computer technology even if they had access to it because of language difficulties, a conference on languages has heard.
Microsoft manager Vis Naidoo said providing access to computer technology in local languages would open up new worlds for education and economic participation for millions of South Africans.
More than half of South Africans cannot use computer technology even if they had access to it because of language difficulties, a conference on languages has heard.
Microsoft manager Vis Naidoo said providing access to computer technology in local languages would open up new worlds for education and economic participation for millions of South Africans.
“Studies show that we learn better in our mother tongue, so we are not only driven to getting more computers to more people, but also by offering software and services in local languages,” said Naidoo.
Alan Govender, the manager of KwaZulu-Natal’s KwaDukuza Resource Centre, said the implementation of the isiZulu version of the Microsoft local language programme would enable communities to access computer literacy training in rural areas.
“There are about 13 million isiZulu speakers in South Africa. IsiZulu is the most widely spoken first language in South Africa (almost 24percent of the total population) as opposed to the 8,2percent whose first language is English,” said Govender.
He said the isiZulu interface had brought more people from the rural areas to their resources centre.
He explained how these people were empowered by learning how to operate and understand computer technology in their own language.
Microsoft plans to make Windows 7 available in 10 African languages before 2011. Five of these languages will be from the 11 official languages in SA.
“Translation teams from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Ethiopia have already started translating Windows 7 and the upcoming Office 2010 productivity suite into languages like Sesotho, Setswana, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Afrikaans, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, kiSwahili and Amharic,” said Naidoo.
Article Inserted from the Sowetan online newspaper, dated 19 November 2009, written by: Nawhal Kara.
Refer to article (New computer languages).
New computer languages
19 November 2009
Nawhal Kara
More than half of South Africans cannot use computer technology even if they had access to it because of language difficulties, a conference on languages has heard.
Microsoft manager Vis Naidoo said providing access to computer technology in local languages would open up new worlds for education and economic participation for millions of South Africans.
More than half of South Africans cannot use computer technology even if they had access to it because of language difficulties, a conference on languages has heard.
Microsoft manager Vis Naidoo said providing access to computer technology in local languages would open up new worlds for education and economic participation for millions of South Africans.
“Studies show that we learn better in our mother tongue, so we are not only driven to getting more computers to more people, but also by offering software and services in local languages,” said Naidoo.
Alan Govender, the manager of KwaZulu-Natal’s KwaDukuza Resource Centre, said the implementation of the isiZulu version of the Microsoft local language programme would enable communities to access computer literacy training in rural areas.
“There are about 13 million isiZulu speakers in South Africa. IsiZulu is the most widely spoken first language in South Africa (almost 24percent of the total population) as opposed to the 8,2percent whose first language is English,” said Govender.
He said the isiZulu interface had brought more people from the rural areas to their resources centre.
He explained how these people were empowered by learning how to operate and understand computer technology in their own language.
Microsoft plans to make Windows 7 available in 10 African languages before 2011. Five of these languages will be from the 11 official languages in SA.
“Translation teams from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Ethiopia have already started translating Windows 7 and the upcoming Office 2010 productivity suite into languages like Sesotho, Setswana, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Afrikaans, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, kiSwahili and Amharic,” said Naidoo.
Article Inserted from the Sowetan online newspaper, dated 19 November 2009, written by: Nawhal Kara.