Trafalgar : The Coming of a New Age

The launch of the Computer and Information Technology Centre at Trafalgar High School in District Six on Tuesday 15 November heralded the coming of a new age, not only for the school but for the community of District Six and its people. 

The significance of the event could clearly be seen by the Who's Who of the provincial government and private sector who were present at the launch as well as the presence of the SABC who also broadcast some of the proceedings.  Premier of the Western Cape, Mr Ebrahim Rasool, suggested that Trafalgar High had survived the first revolution (the fight against apartheid) and was now involved in the second revolution:  the revolution in technology which would prepare their learners to be citizens of the world.

Cameron Dugmore, MEC for Education for the Western Cape, acknowledged the contribution that the private sector was making to education in the Western Cape.  PetroSA, who were a major contributor to the Information and Conference Centre at Trafalgar High, has contributed over R12 million for the building of a new school in Mossel Bay and in helping other schools.  Mr Dugmore urged other schools to follow the example of Trafalgar, to be proactive and help to prepare their learners more thoroughly for the future.

Commenting on their contribution to the developments at Trafalgar High, FCO of Petro SA, Mr Nika stated that ICT training was no longer a 'nice have', but critical in South Africa.  He went on to explain that PetroSA believed that it was vital to invest in the people of this country before they invested elsewhere.

This launch is one that will be remembered for a very long time.  A huge marquee had been set out in the front of the school and a finger lunch was served to all the guests.  Many past learners of the school had returned for the event and the school choir sang to entertain the guests. 

Trafalgar High now have a Khanya laboratory in which mathematics is taught.  Here they have access to the Master Maths programme and the Eye-Read software.  They have another computer room which has 46 Pentium 4 PCs and all learners at the school receive computer literacy training here.  Finally, they have the PetroSA information and conference centre where the learners have access to computers which are set up for research and literacy, video conferencing and video projection and ADSL which gives them 24/7 connectivity to access global learning channels.

Through the initiative, drive and passion of the principal, Mr N Hendricks, Trafalgar High has become a beacon of hope for the children of District Six.  They herald a future when all learners will be e-learners and e-citizens of this country.