A huge challenge facing the South African trucking industry is attracting young graduates to pursue careers within its ranks. Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA), renowned for its tech-driven trucks, recently donated a computer lab to Phelindaba Maths, Science, and ICT School of Specialisation to help empower learners with industry-aligned Science, Maths and ICT skills.
According to Simon Tsotetsi, principal of Phelindaba Maths, Science, and ICT School of Specialisation (Phelindaba MSI SOS): “Last year we communicated our need for computers for our computer lab to DTSA and we are extremely thankful for the company taking this request to heart.
“Little over a year later, the brand-new computer lab was opened for our learners and we are confident that it will enhance the educational experience for our learners and teachers and equip them with much needed computer skills.”
The DTSA-sponsored facility, dubbed ‘The Computer Lab’ by the Atteridgeville high school, is now equipped with computers, screens as well as a projector and screen for the teacher.
The need for a donation towards the computer lab was established in 2023 when DTSA visited the school to hand over Mathematical and English handbooks and study guides to learners and teachers.
This year, employees of DTSA also got involved with the initiative through the company’s Employee Volunteer Programme by helping with the repainting of the classroom and setting up of computer equipment.
Phelindaba MSI SOS is a no-fee, public high school specialising in Maths, Science, and ICT. The school, with 1 526 enrolled learners, obtains limited funding from government, relying mostly on sponsorships and donations to uphold quality education for its learners, says Tsotetsi.
Empowering youth employability
Maretha Gerber, president and group CEO of Daimler Truck Southern Africa joined Tsotetsi and Phelindaba MSI SOS learners at the new lab’s ribbon-cutting event.
“Education is a fundamental human right and the pathway to a brighter future in South Africa. We live in a digital era but the reality is that many schools in South Africa are still lacking basic educational material let alone computers.
“Last year we donated handbooks and study guides to learners of Phelindaba MSI SOS and this year we shifted our focus to the donation of a computer lab for the school. We believe that computers offer many benefits to learners and teachers, helping to ensure that essential computer literacy skills are acquired in preparation for tertiary education and the workplace one day,” says Gerber.
Apart from wishing all the excited learners well for the remainder of the 2024 school year, Gerber states that: “DTSA remains a committed partner to Phelindaba MSI SOS and will continue to actively seek opportunities to support the school and learners in future.”
FleetWatch gives a big ‘thumbs up’ to Daimler Truck SA for uplifting the high school experience for hundreds of learners in Atteridgeville, and for getting to the root of the skills deficit problem in the trucking industry with an inspiring gift of technology tools that empower youth employability.
