July 23, 2004
By Ndaba Dlamini
THE CITY OF JOHANNESBURG and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research have set up an information technology project to develop and attract business to Orange Farm, the largest and most populous informal settlement in South Africa.
The settlement, which is south of Johannesburg, now boasts a state-of-the-art information and communications technology (ICT) hub.
The hub, set up at the Orange Farm Library early in July, offers ICT training to residents and will also offer support services to local small businesses. Six computers have been installed for the first phase of the project.
The project forms part of the Joburg 2030 strategy, a plan to develop and grow the city's economy in the next three decades.
"The project aims to implement and replicate an innovative communications infrastructure and develop capacity within the community by providing relevant information content to support sustainable development," says Chris Morris, a community ICT specialist.
Training in information technology is a crucial part of the project: 12 people from Orange Farm - from a list of 60 applicants - have already been selected for lessons in computer literacy and business.
The response was overwhelming.
"There is so much talent that we would like to expand the training to other community members, but we need more support from partners," Morris says.
He says the aim is to support economic development.
Training, which has already started, will run until November this year. Candidates are being offered basic courses in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
"After these initial courses, which are set to end in early August, the candidates will be divided into two groups: one will specialise in web content development and the other will concentrate on business skills," explains Morris.
Existing small businesses in Orange Farm will also be chosen for ICT training.
Morris says the training will create links to entrepreneurs and established ICT businesses.
"Once training has been completed, additional satellite sites will be created to link small businesses in proximity to the hub using wireless technology."
Part of the plan is to attract manufacturing and services firms to Orange Farm. However, this will require partnerships with established ICT companies and other small-business initiatives.
"One idea is to establish a refurbishment business which will supply personal computers to schools," Morris says. "This will offer an opportunity to develop ICT skills from the grassroots."
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