Pretoria - Digital literacy is fast becoming a basic requirement skill for ward councillors in this information age, as it helps them to convey crucial information relating to service delivery to residents with ease.
Recently, about 60 ward councillors from Thulamela Local Municipality in Limpopo received their basic computer literacy certificates from the University of Venda (Univen).
The six-week long basic computer literacy training, which started in mid-August, forms part of the university’s outreach programme, where communities, students, councillors and unemployed people are trained to better their lives and to be abreast with technology.
The Dean of the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Professor Natasha Potgieter, expressed her hopes that the basic computer training will benefit the councillors in their administrative duties such as typing and sending information via the internet.
“Knowledge of the use of computers for councillors will open many doors for them. We are teaching communities, students and councillors computer skills so that they may be equipped with the digital knowledge,” she said.
Representing the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Angelina Maluleke, said they supported local municipalities in their initiatives to register for programmes that strengthen councillors’ skills and enhance capacity to serve the people.
Maluleke said when ward councillors are given computer literacy skills, they are able to work effectively with their communities.
She said the basic computer training will not only make a difference to the councillors’ lives, but it will assist them to speed up the process of service delivery in their municipalities.
One of the ward councillors who successfully completed the training, Humbulani Bulala, said she was happy to join the digital world, as she will now be able to use a computer as well as prepare PowerPoint presentations.
“We have been supplied with laptops and tablets by the municipality but we could not operate them.
“We are proud of being the recipients of the basic computer literacy certificate programme and we are committed to make our municipality brighter. We commit ourselves to deliver better services to our communities,” she said.
Representing Thulamela Municipality, Matodzi Bia, said it was the first time ward councillors received basic computer training in such a big group.
She commended the university for offering the training to councillors and said they will continue to work with Univen in the betterment of the lives of residents. - SAnews.gov.za
