ICT distributor Rectron has donated a fully equipped computer lab to Ratshepo Secondary School in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, in a milestone that will enable the school to introduce Computer Applications Technology (CAT) and robotics classes for the first time. The donation marks a significant first for the Hammanskraal area, where access to this level of digital infrastructure in schools has been limited.
The lab, valued at over R1 million, forms part of Rectron’s ‘Progressive Educational Upliftment’ (PEU) programme, established in 2022 to advance technology education and digital literacy among South Africa’s youth.
According to a study by Africa.com, only 22% of South African households have a computer, while just 10% have an internet connection. In communities where these resources are scarce, access to a school-based digital lab can be genuinely transformative.
The ‘Rectron Technolab’, officially handed over on 7 May, is equipped with 56 state-of-the-art compact computers, giving learners hands-on experience with modern technology and the foundation to engage with emerging fields such as robotics and data literacy.
The event was attended by key stakeholders, including Kutlwano Rawana, Group HR Executive at Rectron; Spencer Chen, CEO of Rectron, Dr Musa Hlongwane; Department of Education Deputy Chief Education Specialist and the Principal of Ratshepo Secondary School; Mrs Lovey Langa.
Ratshepo Secondary School is a high-profile institution within the Department of Education, recognised for its strong academic performance and consistent achievement. The introduction of CAT and robotics to its curriculum represents a meaningful expansion of the school’s offering and reflects the growing demand for STEM competencies in South Africa’s evolving economy.
“Technology and digital economies are rapidly advancing and it is incumbent on us to help people up. Rectron’s capabilities and programmes are focused on making a meaningful difference in the lives of South African children interested in various STEM fields,” says Kutlwano Rawana, Group HR Executive at Rectron. “Partnering with a school like Ratshepo Secondary is an opportunity to advance digital access for learners in communities that stand to benefit most, equipping them with critical skills they will carry long into the future.”
The Principal of Ratshepo Secondary School welcomed the initiative, noting the significance of the milestone for the school and the wider community: “For many of our learners, this lab represents their first real opportunity to engage with technology in a structured, meaningful way. Introducing CAT and robotics opens doors that simply did not exist here before, and we are grateful to Rectron for making that possible,” explains Mrs Langa.
This handover follows similar digital lab donations to schools across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Free State, with each investment designed to increase the quality of and access to STEM education in underserved communities around the country.
Rectron in STEM
Rectron has committed to supporting communities across South Africa through its social investment programmes, with a focus on Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) readiness and STEM education. The PEU Programme targets schools in need of IT equipment and infrastructure to support their STEM requirements.
“Education is one of the most important drivers of economic, cultural, social and technical development in our country, and we are committed to contributing towards a sustainable future for our children,” says Rawana. “The PEU Programme is our key corporate social investment initiative, and each handover reinforces our belief that access to technology should not be determined by geography or income.”