On 8 September Samsung Electronics South Africa, in partnership with the National
House of Traditional Leaders, donated a Solar Powered Internet School (SPIS) to Hans
Kekana Secondary School in Hammanskraal. The initiative is part of Samsung’s
citizenship programme, which seeks to bring educational content and interactive
classrooms to disadvantaged areas.
Michelle Potgieter, director of corporate marketing and communications at Samsung
Electronics SA says, “Samsung’s main objective is to add value to the education in our
schools. We are continuously looking for ways to make a sustainable difference in the
communities in which we operate and to promote social development.’
The SPIS offers Hans Kekana learners a self-sustainable solar powered classroom
fitted with 25 laptops and an interactive white board. The entire school syllabus is
preloaded onto the laptops while wireless connectivity allows for the sharing of
information and a technology-rich educational experience.
The SPIS model is aimed at tackling the ongoing economic challenge of limited
electricity supply in rural areas, which results in isolated communities with limited
access to education and connectivity.
In coming months Samsung intends to roll out more SPIS in other parts of South
Africa.
