{
  "id": 15629719,
  "title": "Govt pledges equal digital opportunities for disadvantaged learners",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/19/govt-pledges-equal-digital-opportunities-for-disadvantaged-learners",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-19T17:15:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/govt-pledges-equal-digital-opportunities-for-disadvantaged-learners/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The South African government has pledged to provide equal digital opportunities for learners from disadvantaged communities. Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, announced this commitment during the unveiling of a mobile digital laboratory at Fontein Full-Service School in Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape. The mobile lab, a public-private partnership venture, will benefit over 800 learners by teaching them basic computer skills, as well as aiding teachers in incorporating technology into their classrooms. The Eastern Cape, home to more than 5,000 public schools, has many that lack IT facilities, leaving thousands of learners unable to access the digital space. The Cyber Lab launch at Fontein Primary School was attended by the school principal, Gary Groenewald, and a teacher, Sanders Hansa, who expressed their enthusiasm for the new opportunity for learners. A delegation member, Ziaad Suleman, CEO of Cassava Technologies, emphasized that the investment aims to empower learners by equipping them with essential digital skills, such as basic computer literacy and coding. The government is urging the community to safeguard the lab from vandalism and theft, understanding its immeasurable value in improving digital literacy and enriching the teaching and learning experience.",
  "summary": "The Eastern Cape has more than 5000 public schools. Many of these schools are without IT facilities",
  "key_points": [
    "South African government pledges equal digital opportunities for disadvantaged learners.",
    "Mobile digital laboratory unveiled at Fontein Full-Service School in Eastern Cape.",
    "Lab aims to equip 800+ learners with basic computer skills and coding."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}