Staff Reporter
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi on Monday jointly handed over a newly refurbished digital laboratory at Phefeni Secondary School in Soweto.
The ministers said the handover marked “an important milestone in government’s efforts to expand digital access, strengthen teaching and learning, and prepare young South Africans for a rapidly changing, technology-driven world”.
The digital lab was made possible through a partnership with Microsoft South Africa and supporting partners including Jozi My Jozi.
According to the department, this was “a tangible investment in the future of learners and educators at Phefeni Secondary School and the broader Soweto community”.
The handover reflected a shared commitment by the departments “to ensure that schools are not only safe and dignified spaces of learning but are also equipped to participate meaningfully in the digital economy”.
Both ministers said access to reliable digital infrastructure is no longer a luxury, but a necessity, adding that digital labs open pathways for learners to develop critical digital skills, enhance literacy and numeracy through technology-enabled learning, and gain exposure to tools increasingly essential for higher education and work.
While highlighting the progress represented by the handover, the ministers said many schools across the country still face serious infrastructure challenges, including unsafe buildings, overcrowding and limited access to learning resources, and said partnerships with the private sector are critical to accelerate change and address historical backlogs.
The ministers also emphasised that the initiative was not “a handover to government alone,” but to learners, educators and the community of Phefeni Secondary School, and said the lab’s success would depend on collective ownership, responsible use and protecting and maintaining the facility “so that it continues to benefit future generations”.
Speaking at the handover, Asif Vallley, Microsoft’s National Technology Officer, said: “Phefeni Secondary School has always been a symbol of courage and possibility for Soweto. By modernising this computer lab and creating brighter, more engaging classrooms, we’re not just upgrading facilities – we’re opening doors.
“This lab will help prepare learners with the digital skills they need for the jobs of the future. Together with our partners, we want every learner who walks into this space to feel that their future in the digital economy is real, and that they have the skills and support to step into it.”
The handover also aligned with South Africa’s broader development trajectory, the department said, noting that with Africa projected to have the largest working-age population in the world by 2050, investing in digital skills at school level is essential to unlock future productivity, innovation and inclusive economic growth.
The ministers called on learners to use the digital lab responsibly and to be “curious, ambitious and committed to their studies,” while encouraging educators to leverage the new tools to innovate in classrooms, support every learner and nurture critical thinking and confidence.
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