Vredenburg: Learners at Louwville High School in Vredenburg on the West Coast of the Western Cape are stepping into a more connected future, following the handover of a Mobile Digital Library by Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli.
According to South African Government News Agency, the handover forms part of ongoing efforts to expand access to digital learning resources, enhance teaching and learning outcomes, and promote digital inclusion, particularly in schools with limited connectivity and infrastructure. Mhlauli emphasized the government’s commitment to building a capable, inclusive, and digitally enabled society through initiatives like this, ensuring no young person is left behind in the digital age.
The Mobile Digital Library provides learners and educators with access to curriculum-aligned content through offline digital platforms, enabling interactive and technology-enabled education. Mhlauli highlighted the significance of this initiative as South Africa marks 30 years of its democratic Constitution, which enshrines the rights to education, access to information, and human dignity.
She expressed concern about the deep inequalities within the education system, noting that many young people, particularly in underserved communities, remain excluded from the digital world that increasingly defines success in the 21st century. The Mobile Digital Library is a direct intervention in that reality, emphasizing the importance of digital access as a necessity for education, innovation, and economic participation.
Mhlauli encouraged learners to explore subjects beyond textbooks, learn new skills, and discover new careers. She urged teachers, parents, and the broader community to support learners in navigating the digital space responsibly and productively, recognizing the Mobile Digital Library as a shared asset with success belonging to all involved.
She also commended partners Kumba Iron Ore, Transnet, and RuraTech for their commitment to investing in young people and the future of the country, highlighting the importance of meaningful partnerships that co-create solutions with lasting impact.