The Minister of Telecommunication and Postal Services Dr Siyabonga Cwele, the Mayor of Mhlontlo Local Municipality, Cllr Mandisa Giyose, along with the Chief Executive Officer of Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA), Mr Lumko Mtimde, today launched the Tsolo Special School computer lab, as part of the broadband roll out plan in the Eastern Cape.

USAASA is established under the Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services to promote universal services and access for all especially in underserviced areas.

"Whereas on this day in 1988, the then Apartheid Minister of Education threatened in Parliament to ban schools promoting alternative education, post 1994 Government promotes quality education for all and Information Communication Technologies (ICT's) in education, empowering learners for digital world." says Mr Mtimde

USAASA has donated a computer laboratory with 40 tablets, 3 laptops, a printer, smart board, a projector, indoor & outdoor Wifi Access points, internet connectivity and maintenance for 24 months.

The facility connects Tsolo Special School to the global education opportunities, empower the learners with skills and inclusive information and knowledge society.

The school is now empowered to participate in the promotion of innovation and creativity, the learners are not just consumers of content but producers as well as manufacturers.

USAASA's school connectivity programme in rural areas, is part of the Operation Phakisa as well as the Nine-Point Plan of Government.

Today we say #USAASASchoolConnectivityInTsolo.

"We will come back to Mhlontlo and King Sebata Dalindyebo Municipalities to upgrade this connectivity through our integrated broadband plan in this financial year. We thank our partnership with the school and Eastern Cape Department of Education. This is part of our contribution to the SA Connect Strategy led by our Minister, Dr Siyabonga Cwele." Mr Lumko Mtimde.

"President Jacob Zuma has instructed us to prioritize rollout of Broadband in rural areas to improve service delivery" said Minister Cwele