Tutu unveils DigiTruck, solar-powered, mobile multi-purpose IT unit

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Deloitte DigiTruck (from L - R): Lead partner at Deloitte Stellenbosch, Marius Alberts, Thandi Tutu, Director of Brothers For All, Sihle Tshabalala, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mpho Tutu, Director at Deloitte Belgium/The Netherlands and Founder and MD of Close the Gap, Olivier vanden Eynde.

Deloitte Belgium has teamed up with two non-profit organisations (NPO) to bring the project to Cape Town, Close the Gap and Brothers for All. Close the Gap is an international NPO that aims to bridge the digital divide by offering high quality, preowned computers (donated by businesses) to projects in developing and emerging countries. Brothers for All is an NPO based in Langa, Cape Town, which focuses on equipping vulnerable youth with technology and entrepreneurship skills.

"Technology is fast changing the face of education. Learners today not only have computers to help them with schoolwork, they also use the Internet for research while teachers use technology to enhance lessons. Yet, very little ICT infrastructure exists in vulnerable communities. Through the DigiTruck, Deloitte Belgium hopes to positively impact the education of learners in rural communities with technology," said Olivier vanden Eynde, director at Deloitte Belgium/The Netherlands and Founder and MD of Close the Gap.

While it was financed by Deloitte Belgium and designed and built by Close the Gap, Brothers for All will be the DigiTruck's beneficiary. The unit is currently at the V&A Waterfront, following which it will move to Langa and across South Africa where Brothers for All will train learners between the ages of 7 and 35.

Vanden Eynde says that since Close the Gap's inception in 2003, various Deloitte member firms across the world have been forming partnerships with the organisation, including Deloitte South Africa. "We realise that access to new technologies in rural and off the grid communities is a challenge. As a fully autonomous, solar-powered unit, the Deloitte DigiTruck will travel to various communities across South Africa to inspire learners to experience the power of technology through education."

International interchange

He says that this initiative is part of a four-day journey. A group of 40 CEOs from major European companies, together with their teenagers, are with Close the Gap on an inspirational learning journey, exchanging views with South African partners of Close the Gap. "One of the highlights of the trip will be a meeting between Archbishop Desmond Tutu and 15 teenagers from Europe, exchanging, amongst others, leadership principles.

Deloitte Cape Town hosted 26 teenagers from Close the Gap and Brothers for All to display the importance of technology in a fun and exciting way, with flying drones and interactive education tools such as 3D printing. Deloitte Netherlands engaged via a live video connection from Amsterdam to Cape Town on topics of cyber security and privacy and how this affects children who use the internet.

"We hope to see the children from South Africa and Europe exchange ideas and experiences, which will ensure the sharing of ideas across continents," says Marius Alberts, head of Deloitte Cape Town.

Alberts says that Deloitte's support of the initiative will allow for skills and knowledge transfer, which may inspire learners to pursue careers in the IT space, or to follow an entrepreneurial path in this sector, which they would not have ordinarily been exposed to.

"Deloitte is committed to this project. As such, the project is aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP), which is government's strategic vision for the country that calls for corporate South Africa to promote employment and education," concludes Alberts.