The e-learning centre for young and old in Gugulethu is also a safe space for the area's children.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Lieutenant-Colonel Sheila Mateza has opened an e-learning centre for young and old.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Lieutenant-Colonel Sheila Mateza from Nyanga police has started a free e-learning centre for young and old.
The no-nonsense police woman runs all her community work from a property in Gugulethu which she’s struggling to afford, but has not let that deter her from helping her community.
“I decided to open the e-learning after observing how township youth would gather next to taverns to use the free wi-fi. I noticed that it becomes impossible to finish a school project in five minutes since they are expected to paste visual, colorful pictures when doing school projects. After realising that some learners do not even have cellphones, I decided to get a laptop and I secured three tablets so that learners who do not have access to cellphones can have access to the internet for school projects,” she said.
Today, hundreds of residents, young and old, have a place to call home when it comes to technology - where they can access their emails and print documents.
The proud Ms Mateza said she opened the centre to help struggling school children and parents in her community but also those who can travel to Gugulethu.
“I aim to teach them a lot of things and to help them access necessary information. Our people are struggling to access an easy thing like their emails or to print their documents. This is out of my pocket. I also aim to ask police stations to come here to certify some of the documents that need that. This is not only for young people but the seniors as well. So it could be good if some of the government services can be brought closer to them.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Mateza has recently won an award for her community work. She runs among other things a soup kitchen and helps with neighbourhood watches.
She took her service further by opening the free e-learning centre. “I started small with a qualified but unemployed teacher, a laptop, and free wi-fi. I had to pay the teacher out of my pocket. I created this after seeing that most Grade 12s were struggling to do their research. But another thing was that some live in noisy areas so this would serve as a space to learn because it is quiet here. We also wanted to help them with their homework, especially maths. Parents also leave their children here when they need to go and do other things. I encourage them to leave them here instead of leaving them at home alone. This is a safe haven for children too,” she said.
She believes that her job as a police officer is to protect and serve the community.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mateza said she is in need of more resources such as three scanners and three more desktops or laptops.
Resident Thami Sopaqa said he was impressed when he learnt of the initiative. "There are few people that think like her. I hail and commend her good work. We need Ms Matezas not only in Gugulethu but countrywide,” he said.