19 February 2007
We have the pleasure of announcing that the Khanya Project of the Western
Cape Education Department (WCED) has won yet another award for excellence. The
Impumelelo Innovations Award Trust rewards exceptional projects which involve
partnerships with the public sector that enhance the quality of life of poor
communities in innovative ways.
The trust awards R1 million every year to 20 projects which get scored the
highest by a panel of judges as well as the project evaluators. The judges
award the prizes in three categories, Platinum, Gold and Silver. The trust
presented a Gold Award to the Khanya Project at a gala function in Cape Town on
Saturday night, 17 February 2007. The citation for the award reads:
Khanya (Western Cape Education Department)
A comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to the educational experience in
classrooms across the Western Cape is the driving force behind the installation
of computers in classrooms in schools in the last five years. Computers are not
installed in isolation; teachers are given training, schools are provided with
high speed internet access and schools are required to take a 'partnership'
approach to the project by providing at the very least sweat equity to
demonstrate their commitment. The support provided by surrounding communities
has resulted in a decrease in the incidence of theft, as communities have taken
ownership of the schools.
The Gold Impumelelo Award is the 11th award presented to the Khanya project
over the past two years. The Western Cape won 11 of the 20 Impumelelo Awards
presented on Saturday night.
We congratulate the Khanya team on this excellent achievement. Their success
reflects our commitment to excellence and provides a fine example for all of us
to follow.
For enquiries contact:
Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 550 3938
Paddy Attwell
Cell: 083 261 7699
Issued by: Department of Education, Western Cape Provincial Government
19 February 2007
