Success Stories
Since inception, most of our volunteers (24) have enjoyed some work experience at Sappi. Some of them have left and either went to study full time or found more suitable jobs. In ten years, we recorded over 17 600 members, 10 000 day passes on our database and 21 200 individuals from all walks of life have become computer literate via the Centre.
Among the Centre’s many success stories; some inspirational examples:
Richard Siyabonga Mkhize
An orphan, who had volunteered at the centre from 2000 to 2007, has been regarded as the “child of the centre”. He received a bursary from Sappi and has since qualified as an electrical engineer. He served his time at Sappi (2 years), Eskom (2 years) and now occupies a good post at SASOL. Richard’s computer project in electrical engineering received a highest commended Award by the Dean of the Faculty at University of Natal KwaZulu in 2005 (final year of his studies). Find out more about Richard, click here.
Thokozani Mbekwa
Thokozani is a learner from a rural township in Stanger and had no opportunities in obtaining employment. Thokozani used the Centre’s digital village extensively and through his interest in computers and his desire to upgrade his skills using the digital village he was able to receive a bursary from Oracle Learning Academy as a Programmer. Thokozani was able to secure contract employment at Sappi Forests and Sappi Head Office, and is presently employed in an IT company on the Midrand. Thokozani states “that people go to the Centre because it gives them hope, they know there’s a chance for them out there.” Thokozani attributes his success to the experience and educational opportunities that he obtained at the Centre.
Michelle Thompson
Michelle used the Digital Village, and e-learning software to complete her home schooling from grade 11 – 12 and then subsequently used the Digital Village to study a Bachelor of Commerce degree through Unisa with great success.
Vusi Labani
Vusi has been a volunteer at the Centre since 2000, when he was a Grade 10 learner. Sappi granted Vusi a bursary after completing grade 12 to attend an FET college in Mandeni. He obtained an N2 in paper and pulp technology, and N3 in instrumentation trade theory. He is now an “Instruments Mechanician” at the Sappi Stanger Mill.
Rogers Mafuta Ngubane
Rogers is a volunteer at the Centre since 2000, has excellent computer technology skills. He had obtained his N2 paper and pulp technology qualification and currently works at the Sappi Stanger Mill. He facilitates basic computer literacy classes at the centre during his days off.
Maxkhane Small
Maxkhane volunteered at the Centre for numerous years. Max is brilliant at computers, and has achieved N6 in paper and pulp technology. Presently he is employed as a testing analyst at Sappi Stanger.
Kwazi Shabangu
Kwazi, as a primary/secondary school learner attended the Centre almost every day of the school week. He became a volunteer while at Secondary school, completed matric successfully, then went on to obtain a Computer Diploma at Boston College. Presently he is furthering his computer studies at Durban FET College. He has facilitated computer literacy courses on a part time basis at the centre.
Among the Centre’s many success stories; some inspirational examples:
Richard Siyabonga Mkhize
An orphan, who had volunteered at the centre from 2000 to 2007, has been regarded as the “child of the centre”. He received a bursary from Sappi and has since qualified as an electrical engineer. He served his time at Sappi (2 years), Eskom (2 years) and now occupies a good post at SASOL. Richard’s computer project in electrical engineering received a highest commended Award by the Dean of the Faculty at University of Natal KwaZulu in 2005 (final year of his studies). Find out more about Richard, click here.
Thokozani Mbekwa
Thokozani is a learner from a rural township in Stanger and had no opportunities in obtaining employment. Thokozani used the Centre’s digital village extensively and through his interest in computers and his desire to upgrade his skills using the digital village he was able to receive a bursary from Oracle Learning Academy as a Programmer. Thokozani was able to secure contract employment at Sappi Forests and Sappi Head Office, and is presently employed in an IT company on the Midrand. Thokozani states “that people go to the Centre because it gives them hope, they know there’s a chance for them out there.” Thokozani attributes his success to the experience and educational opportunities that he obtained at the Centre.
Michelle Thompson
Michelle used the Digital Village, and e-learning software to complete her home schooling from grade 11 – 12 and then subsequently used the Digital Village to study a Bachelor of Commerce degree through Unisa with great success.
Vusi Labani
Vusi has been a volunteer at the Centre since 2000, when he was a Grade 10 learner. Sappi granted Vusi a bursary after completing grade 12 to attend an FET college in Mandeni. He obtained an N2 in paper and pulp technology, and N3 in instrumentation trade theory. He is now an “Instruments Mechanician” at the Sappi Stanger Mill.
Rogers Mafuta Ngubane
Rogers is a volunteer at the Centre since 2000, has excellent computer technology skills. He had obtained his N2 paper and pulp technology qualification and currently works at the Sappi Stanger Mill. He facilitates basic computer literacy classes at the centre during his days off.
Maxkhane Small
Maxkhane volunteered at the Centre for numerous years. Max is brilliant at computers, and has achieved N6 in paper and pulp technology. Presently he is employed as a testing analyst at Sappi Stanger.
Kwazi Shabangu
Kwazi, as a primary/secondary school learner attended the Centre almost every day of the school week. He became a volunteer while at Secondary school, completed matric successfully, then went on to obtain a Computer Diploma at Boston College. Presently he is furthering his computer studies at Durban FET College. He has facilitated computer literacy courses on a part time basis at the centre.
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