The WCG eCentre is changing the lives of our citizens in Klaarstroom
It's difficult to imagine a world without access to computers and internet. In a lot of rural towns in the Western Cape that's the reality. This is no different for the small village of Klaarstroom.
With its population of just more than 500 people there's a need for access to information and communication technologies (ICT). This is the kind of rural community that the Cape Access programme wants to assist through setting up eCentres for these communities.
The Klaarstroom eCentre was opened in 2016 in the Central Karoo district. Now the centre forms an integral part of the community. The centre employs interns to prepare them for their future careers. They also assist the interns with bursary, university and study loans applications.
This eCentre is making remarkable progress with their basic and accredited computer training. In the first two years of opening the centre had 2 graduation ceremonies, which meant 15 more residents who are computer literate.
In December 2017 they partnered with the Prince Albert Municipality to host a successful holiday programme for the children. The success of this has led to talks to make this an annual programme.
The Klaarstroom eCentre, as with all the other eCentres in the province, has helped many community members to find jobs, apply for and get accepted at tertiary institutions and help them keep in touch with family and friends who live far from them. These centres are open to all.
The Klaarstroom eCentre offers the below services and training to the community.
Services
- Internet access (45 minutes a session).
- E-mail facilities.
- Help setting up e-mail accounts.
- Online job searches and applications.
- Computer assistance.
- Free printing (max 10 pages a day).
Training
- e-Learner: Entry-level accredited certificate for successful learners.
- International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL): seven-months accredited course.
- Informal computer training.
You can find the eCentre at the Klaarstroom Community Centre in Bloekom Street.
Email: klaarstroom.ecentre@gmail.com
Operating hours: Monday - Friday 08:00 - 17:00
More about Klaarstroom
Klaarstroom, originally called Pietersburg, is located 60 kilometres from Prince Albert in the Western Cape at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains.
Meaning "clear stream", the town was established in the mid-19th century. It is here that farmers from the Great Karoo, en-route to the small port of Mossel Bay, washed their cargo of wool in the mountain stream. This gave rise to establishing a wool-washing facility.
With the wool-washing facility long gone and with no railroad or highways Klaarstroom remains a historical snapshot of a South African Victorian village.
