Statement by André Gaum, Western Cape Education Minister

The City of Stockholm has identified the Western Cape's Khanya Project as one of the top initiatives of its kind in the world.

The project has been short-listed in the Education category of the prestigious Stockholm Challenge Award, which recognises innovative and creative use of information and communication technology (ICT) to improve and benefit society.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) launched the Khanya project in 2001 to develop and implement innovative ways of using ICT to enhance teaching and learning.

The Khanya team has trained more than 5 000 teachers in the use of ICT at 230 schools so far, where more than 150 000 learners now have access to ICT-based learning programmes. Even learners with special needs, such as the deaf, are benefiting from the project.

Khanya is the only South African project in the Education category to reach the finals of the Stockholm Challenge.

Stockholm launched the award initially as the Bangemann Challenge in 1994, to challenge other European cities in 10 ICT application areas.

The city subsequently renamed the award as the Stockholm Challenge Award, open to countries around the world.

In 2003/04, the Stockholm Challenge received about 900 projects from 107 countries in the categories of e-Government, Health, Culture, Education, Environment and e-Business.

The organisers have invited finalists to Stockholm from 10 to 13 May 2004, for assessment for the overall winners and a glittering prize-giving event that will take place in the Stockholm City Hall.

Winning projects will receive trophies created as works of art by Jonas Torstensson. All finalists will receive glass sculptures designed specifically for the challenge by Bertil Vallien and Kosta Boda. Stockholm will also present winners and finalists with certificates of excellence.

The judges have short-listed 24 projects as finalists in the Education category. The challenge received nominations in this category from countries such as China, Chile, New Zealand, India, the United States and Columbia.

Khanya's main focus at the moment is to provide access to ICT-based schooling in poor schools, to bridge the digital divide, to increase teacher capacity and to deliver curriculum. "Khanya" is an isiXhosa word that mean "light".

Whole communities are making use of ICT facilities at WCED schools, where children, parents and farm workers are sharing knowledge, learning computer skills and joining the global society through the internet.

We are now looking forward to the finals. Whatever the result, Stockholm has already recognised Khanya as an example of best international practice. This is a tremendous honour and we congratulate the Khanya team on a wonderful achievement.

Inquiries: Rudi Buys at  082 577 6551