GoDigitalSA – children being taught about technology and how apps can change the world.
UNSTOPPABLE GoDigitalSA
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oDigitalSA teaches children how to code, providing them with skills that can be used in the fourth industrial revolution (4IR). Sandile Mahlaba, GoDigitalSA’s cofounder and patron, says that when the global crisis hit schools and learning in the classroom changed, nothing was going to stop his organisation from working with learners and helping to prepare them for their exams. The coding being taught in brick and mortar classrooms was taken to the cloud, where GoDigital SA created the iThala Edu Platform on YouTube to help matrics with all their subjects. Most of the lessons are in isiZulu, the home language of the majority of the learners. The learners watch the livestreams or access the lessons on YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp. WhatsApp groups were also used Sandile Mahlaba as revision classes. Mahlaba says that recordings are also broadcast on uKhoziFM every Thursday evening for learners who don’t have access to the internet. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, GoDigitalSA continued with its original curriculum. “We held online sessions introducing the learners to computer science and sessions focused on 4IR skills.” Reports show that the foundation reaches about 500 children per subject, but Mahlaba explains that this is not necessarily an indication of the total number of children reached, as screen-sharing is common and learners also share videos among themselves.
“The lockdown gave birth to the adoption of social media and other platforms to reach and empower learners.” – Sandile Mahlaba, co-founder, GoDigitalSA
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TRANSFORMING SOCIETY THROUGH TECHNOLOGY “It’s our vision to transform society through technology,” Mahlaba says. “It has given us great joy and excitement to help the learners and community to cope with the changes brought by the restrictions. The lockdown gave birth to the adoption of social media and other platforms to reach and empower learners.”
He is excited about the possibilities that 4IR promises. He says there are many opportunities for young people. “We can change communities. When children are exposed to technology their lives can change. Imagine them being able to produce technology that changes lives. That makes people’s lives easier? That makes people prosperous. That is part of our vision,” concludes Mahlaba.
COBRA TO THE RESCUE
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aunched just two days before the national lockdown on March 27, Covid Business Rescue Assistance (Cobra), provides pro bono services to businesses in distress due to COVID-19. IQbusiness, Schindlers Attorneys, Agility, Engaged Business Turnaround, Sirdar Group, Adept Advisory and Envision Advisory Services are among the many companies that have pooled their resources to offer legal, accounting, technology, business and financial advice and support to assist businesses, particularly small, medium, micro enterprises (SMMEs), negatively impacted by the pandemic. Cobra’s Adam Crake says that retail, manufacturing, construction, hospitality and business services make up the top sectors seeking help. “The main requests are for funding, business rescue, business turnaround and legal help. Over half the requests are for funding less than R100K,” he explains. Cobra has recorded more than one million impressions via its social media campaign and has reached 500 000 people. And, over 20 000 people have used Cobra’s self-help knowledge
base, for example, webinars and content. Crake says that 239 businesses received direct assistance from Cobra’s more than 200 subject matter experts from 70 organisations. “SMMEs have been the largest users, although we have assisted businesses of all sizes including various listed enterprises,” says Crake. Many manufacturing concerns are SMMEs and, with numerous factories shutting shop, the lockdown could have signalled the death knell for these businesses. “The Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (Sactwu) is leading engagement with us regarding several businesses in distress, which is impacting their members. They have also brought COSATU into the conversation.” Cobra has been endorsed by Business Unity South Africa (Busa) as part of its response to the economic crisis. To get future funding for businesses in distress, Crake says that Cobra is talking to each of the banks and to the Banking Association of SA (Basa), although they are reluctant to act in concert due to banking regulations.
“SMMEs have been the largest users, although we have assisted businesses of all sizes including various listed enterprises.” – Adam Crake, Cobra
IMAGES: SUPPLIED
COVID-19 couldn’t stop The GoDigitalSA Foundation from doing its good work in classrooms. By LYNNETTE JOHNS
More than half of the businesses that reached out to Cobra had not approached their banks for funding. The majority of these businesses have movable assets to leverage as security for borrowing purposes. Source: Cobra
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2020/11/19 11:41 AM
