Ms Lorna van der Merwe
Acting Coordinator
ICT for Rural Development
e-Skills CoLab
NEMISA, becoming iNeSI
I worked in the software development industry for 25 years in various positions: programmer, analyst, trainer, project manager and IT manager. In 2001 I joined the then-named Border Technikon – now part of Walter Sisulu University – as a programming lecturer. I am passionate about assisting youth to acquire technology-based skills.
The e-Skills CoLab was established at WSU in 2009 and I joined the project late in 2012.
The overarching goal of the national e-skills agenda is to develop the human resource capacity of all citizens to use technology for socio-economic development. This is especially relevant in a predominantly rural province where challenges like high youth unemployment compound the digital divide. Interaction with role-players in government, business, education, labour, civil society and within communities confirms the pivotal role that ICT can and should play to bridge that divide.
The e-Skills CoLab is extremely grateful for the enthusiastic support and enthusiasm for the e-skills project in the Eastern Cape. We look forward to harnessing the opportunities offered and for these to act as a catalyst to increase digital awareness, capacity, research and resources within the province.