Powered By Blogger

Friday, 15 May 2015

GDE to install 88 000 tables with additional security features


The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has noted with concern media reports suggesting that the department will completely withdraw the 88 000 tablets distributed to schools as part of the e-Learning Solution Programme, as a result of these tablets being stolen from schools.

This is incorrect.  The Gauteng MEC for Education,  Panyaza Lesufi, announced in a media briefing yesterday that the department would retrieve these tables from schools to install them with additional security features e.g tracking devices and they will be returned back to schools.

Since the distribution of the 88 000 tablets over 3000 have been stolen. This prompted the MEC to temporarily retrive them for the installation of  additional security features.

Of the approximately 6 200 tablets, with tracking devices deployed to the 7 schools this year, so far, 11 tablets have been stolen/ lost and 5 were subsequently recovered.  Six tablets have not been switched on since they went missing and as a result, have not been recovered.


The department is commited to implementing the paperless classroom project and nothing will stop our quest or derail our efforts of giving the learners of Gauteng the best possible education in our lifetime.

ICT: Bennet challenges the big boys in their game-IBM, BCX and Dimension Data

Makobedi Mofokeng

 Bennet Mahlangu 
Back in August 2012, at only 23, Bennet Mahlangu decided it was time to take a leap of faith and establish his own ICT Company. This was after working in the industry for big companies for a number of years.


As a young boy from the East Rand, Bennet always had the drive to become a success.  “I always looked for the best for myself and I always make sure that I achieve my goals,” he says. So it is no wonder that after three years in the industry, BenMah IT is still standing and going strong.

Bennet had the advantage of working under big ICT names and being exposed to both the South African market and the international market too. With the knowledge he gathered over the years he is in a better position to understand what his markets need and this puts BenMah IT at a competitive advantage.

Of course, no matter what your age is or knowledge when starting your own business there will be challenges. It it could be being taken serious by potential customers, or it could be finding investors. Bennet says competing with big ICT companies as well as finding clients has been challenging.

 “Some of our challenges include finding clients and maintaing a continuous cash flow within the business. As a black owned ICT business it is not easy finding investors, however, over the years we have developed a strategy to attract more and more investors and clients. Competing with the major players such as IBM, BCX and Dimension Data is not easy as they are still in the forefront,” he explains.

But all these challenges have not gotten Bennet down, and he continues strives to be bigger and better. "I am a confident and dynamic person with a strong and positive attitude. I am willing to go the extra mile.”

Although he had his sights set on a career in Electrical or Chemical Engineering earlier on in life, Bennet is doing pretty well in Information and Communication Technology, which shows that life does not always go as you planned but it does not mean that your plan is the right one.

Bennet continues to dream big and be innovative. BenMah IT plans to launch its very own 3G modem. “We are certain that every household in SA will have a piece of BenMah IT in,” says Bennet.





Woolworths is doing big things for education in South Africa.

Makobedi Mofokeng

“Education is the key to success” we have all heard that quote at one point of our lives. Education is important and can open many doors of opportunity in any person’s life whether young or old. However merely repeating this quote to a disadvantaged, poverty-stricken 8 year old boy, who does not even have a desk to sit at, might not yield any results.

Woolworths is doing big things for education in South Africa. The Woolworths My School program is one of this country’s biggest fundraising programs. It was originally established in 1997 by a Johannesburg father who wanted an easy and sustainable manner to raise funds for the school his child was attending at the time. Woolworths became the initiatives main partner and then later bought out the entire business. And that was the birth the My School program as we have come to know, love and support today.

This initiative aims at meeting the needs of primary and high schools and their pupils across South Africa, urban or rural, it does not matter. More focus is put on previously disadvantaged schools to uplift them too.

Millions of rands are donated every year and countless children get school uniforms and supplies they would not normally get. The program has a number of partners throughout South Africa, one being the Tutudesk campaign, and together 2000 lap desks were donated to many schools in 2014.

The beautiful thing about the My School initiative is that it is all up to the customers who the beneficiary is. The customers of Woolies decide which school they would like to donate 1% of their purchase to. This 1% will then subsequently help provide school uniforms and textbooks to which ever school of the customer’s choice, throughout South Africa. If one does not have a specific school to donate to, there is an option to donate to the Thuso foundation. The money donated to this foundation also builds and contributes to schools around South Africa.


In order to help a school child in need, all one needs to do is apply for a My School card in any Woolworths store countrywide and then the power is all in your hands.  

Wednesday, 13 May 2015

The fastest car on the planet......... only at Sci-Bono.

Bloodhound SCC @ Sci-Bono
View this email in your browser

The fastest car on the planet.........
only at Sci-Bono.


In the desolate north western corner of South Africa is a place few people have ever heard of............... until now. Haksteen Pan will be the setting for one of mankind’s greatest achievements when a global engineering adventure aims to break a record of epic proportions – to build a vehicle that can travel faster than 1600km/h. This jet and rocket on wheels, called the Bloodhound Supersonic Car will be on display at Sci-Bono between 21 May and 17 June. 

Bloodhound shows will take place every weekend at 11am and 2pm. These shows are included in the entrance fees. Group and school bookings (15+) can also be made by contacting Siphokazi Ndzamela or Cynthia Sithole on 011 639 8400 or bookings@sci-bono.co.za

Free basement parking is available to Sci-Bono visitors on weekends and public holidays. (Entrance on Miriam Makeba).

(Modular car on display)

Science Circus Africa –
Science Show Spectacular


Featuring Graham Walker and Joe Duggan direct from the Australian National University, this fun-packed interactive performance features extraordinary science you can do with ordinary items and experiments to try at home, along with plenty you definitely shouldn’t try at home like rockets, explosions, fiery chemical reactions and even a bazooka that fires marshmallows! With lots of audience involvement, laughs, learning and exciting experiments, this is science sure to thrill all ages. Supported by Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre (Australia) and the Australian High Commission Pretoria through the Australian Government Direct Aid Program. The shows are included in the normal visitor entry fees but bookings are essential.

For further information and bookings on the focus weeks please contact Siphokazi Ndzamela or Cynthia Sithole on 011-639 8459/91 or bookings@sci-bono.co.za

The shows will take place on the following dates and times:
19 May:  10 am and 11:30 am
10 July:  10 am and 12 pm
13 July:  10 am, 12 pm and 3 pm 

Visit Sci-Bono and your school can win
50 tickets!!!


Visit Sci-Bono between 4 May and 12 June and your school can win 50 tickets to “The Ice Age Exhibition”.

To make a booking for your school please contact Siphokazi Ndzamela or Cynthia Sithole on 011-639 8459/91 or bookings@sci-bono.co.za
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Visit our Website
Bloodhound car | Science Circus | Ice Age | Copyright © 2015 |Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
 All rights reserved. 
Design by: www.saltstudio.biz 
unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 

Monday, 4 May 2015

Bonang Matheba, Pearl Modiadie are my role models - Mpho Molefe

Mpho Adelaid Molefe
Few teenagers last no more than a week in a courtship,but for MPHO ADELAID MOLFE it has been a different kind of a song. She has been in our relationship for more than five years and the relationship has been a sexless union. The Mabuya High learner has lofty ambitions and silly sex games shall not put a stop to that. Here she tells Thembi Masser about her plans to conquer the world and own her travel agency not so long in the future.  

Mpho is a 19 year old and this interview was conducted during the week of her birthday celebrations. She was born on 27 April and for this birthday party her mother’s sister organised a surprise party for her. She was so ecstatic; she was over the moon on how things panned out. However, she did not get the tablet gift she so wished for. Shame! 
Mpho was born in Boksburg and has spent her life growing up in Zenzele, Daveyton. After her primary schooling she went to Mabuya High where she is in grade 12 now. Her ambition is to be a travel agent and help people plan their holidays. “I want to explore the world,” she enthuses. “I take you places, organise your travelling itineraries, and suggest exotic places for you to visit and lovely places to see.” 

At Mabuya she likes the tourism subject so much that it is not surprising that her favourite teacher is Ms Mogase, the tourism teacher. Her other subjects are business management, maths literacy, economics, Setswana, English and life orientation. 
She is in love with her school, she says. “It is the best school ever. Teachers re perfect; they work hard and want you to listen.” Her principal, Mr Langa, is a “darling”. “There is no gangsterism at our school, despite the recent upsurge in gang rivalry in local schools recently. And as for drugs, well, dagga is so prevalent at our school. Even girls roll a zol or two. It is as fashionable as is their falls eyelashes and short skirts. They smoke in the alleys and passages, in the toilets and anywhere where a teacher is not in sight. In our class there is this cool boy who smokes before school, during interval and I am sure at two in the morning. He is cool though, that one.”

Mpho says teenage pregnancy at schools irks her. “It riles me,” she chokes. She is disappointed with these girls “who are still children themselves. It is disgusting. They must stay at home, they destroy us. Why do they indulge in silly sex games? Sex is for adults, let kids play their games and leave adult matter alone.” She says at her school pregnant teenagers cause them to fall asleep in class, especially after the break when they have just eaten. “They must stay at home.”

She praises her mother, Dorothy, for teaching her well when it comes to boys. “Life at home is amazing,” she points out. ”My mother knows of my ambitions in life. She encourages me and tells me to pick up my life and be noteworthy. She pushes me. She has told me about boys and their ways. She has briefed me about her own life which, sadly, has not endowed her with good fortune. But, because of her life stories, I know about the pitfalls and how to get to my desired destiny. That is why, at 19, I am still untouched. A proud virgin sir.” She has dated only one guy for more than five years, her first love. “But I have a crush on someone else,” she hushes!

Her role models are two of South Africa's foremost media personalities; Bonang Matheba and Pearl Modiadie.
    

“Bonang inspires me. She does things on her own for herself. It is good to make so much money at such a young age.” But Mpho is not impressed. “There are no local role models in Daveyton. There are no sports facilities here, no recreational parks, and no multipurpose centers. Nothing! And, ask me about crime? You smell it in the air, it hangs suspended in space with no shame.”

When she wants to chill with friends Fikile Mkhabela-Khoza and Matshepo Segoale they go to the local Daveyton Golf Course.

She admits coyly that she is shy, but also admits to being crazy at heart. She likes dancing and sings in the church choir.