Computer Dream

By+Lu+Anqi

Students at the Marhulana Primary School were overjoyed on November 7， 2016. Not only did they get to meet their president， but their school received a donation of 15 computers， desks and chairs as part of the Fifth National Imbizo Focus Week in South Africa.

The under-equipped school， located about 45 km north of Johannesburg， now finally has access to a computer lab for e-learning.

The new Lenovo computers， a top Chinese brand， desks and chairs were donated by the Chinese Embassy in South Africa. The embassy also handed over sports equipment including footballs， netballs and table tennis sets.

The story of the computer lab began in July when South African President Jacob Zuma visited the Marhulana Primary School as part of Mandela Day commemorations. Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Tian Xuejun joined the president for the celebration.

The use of the Internet technology in education is increasingly becoming an important medium for complementing the delivery of school curricula in most developing countries， and South Africa is no exception， having attached great importance to e-education in the country. Back in July， visitors learned from the school principal that the students at Marhulana were in need of a new computer lab. “We felt that we should do something for the children，” Tian said. Three months later the Chinese Embassy made it possible under the joint effort of the Chinese Embassy， the South African Presidency and the Department of Basic Education （DBE）， Tian said.

At the handover ceremony in November， South African President Jacob Zuma， DBE Minister Angie Motshekga and Gauteng - Member of Executive Coun- cil - for Education Panyaza Lesufi attended the event.

“Chinese people value our reputation of keeping ones words and honoring ones commitments，” Tian said at the handover ceremony， adding that the donation is another strong testament to the trustworthiness of China as a partner of South Africa.

“I am hoping that among you， we not only have future computer experts， but also some [of] tomorrows sports stars，” he told the students.

Speaking at the ceremony， Zuma said that the China-South Africa friendly relationship could be traced back to the anti-apartheid period when people in South Africa fought for their freedom. Zuma said that China supported South Africa in its struggle for freedom and the support has continued up to this day.“They are now helping us to empower our country with expertise， [and] excellence in a smart way，” he said. He noted that Chinese are now helping “us” to utilize technology in order to run the country as well as run the economy. He thanked the Chinese Embassy for being consistent in supporting education.

Zuma encouraged students to work hard to become leaders and professionals in all fields in the future， adding that China as a big country not only helps universities， but also helps youth in smaller schools.

Zuma said he attributed the fast development China has achieved to Chinese people being disciplined， industrious and principled.