Staff Writer ​
The Gauteng Provincial Government's second ICT Center, called the Gauteng Centre of Excellence (GCOE), was opened at Orient Hills in Magaliesberg. This initiative came through a partnership between the Gauteng Department of e-Government (e-Gov) and the tech company Altron Nexus. The opening of the center was led by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, together with Gauteng MEC for e-Government Mzi Khumalo.
The second Center of Excellence has been established at Orient Hills informal settlement as part of bringing development to the area. The center will provide easy access to computer resources for the community, offer free WIFI Connectivity, and deliver certified skills training to the youth in the area. Gauteng Premier Panyaza indicated that the Orient Hills Centre of Excellence is the Gauteng government's commitment to empowering Gauteng communities through technology and promoting technological innovations.
"We stand here today at the inauguration of the Orient Hills Centre of Excellence with immense pride and gratitude. This center symbolizes our commitment towards empowering the Orient Hills community through technology and technological innovations," said Premier Lesufi. The Premier went on to further state that the Centre of Excellence must not just be a structure but a house of opportunities and a gateway to a brighter future. The premier ended by asking the community to take care of the infrastructure and not burn it down during protests, indicating that the computer lab will play a big role in the future of the young people of Orient Hills.
“I would like to ask the people of Orient Hills to take good care of this infrastructure. Please, while you protest, don’t burn it. You can close the roads, but please don’t burn it down or any infrastructure for that matter. This center will play a vital role in the future of our young generations. This is a place where they will be well-equipped in ICT skills and become better individuals in the future,” said Premier Lesufi.
The Department's first Gauteng Centre of Excellence (GCOE) was established and opened in 2021 at 75 Fox Street, Imbumba, in partnership with Microsoft South Africa. Gauteng MEC for e-Government Mzi Khumalo stated that these innovative hubs represent a significant milestone in the department's commitment to driving excellence and the growth of ICT skills development and technology in the province.
"I am proud that today we are opening our 2nd innovative hub. These centers symbolize a milestone in our journey towards a digitally inclusive Gauteng City Region. These centers will catalyze progress, providing access to information and skills development that are vital in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” said MEC Khumalo.