MODERN EMPANGENI COMPUTER LAB TO SHAPE CAREERS!
An Empangeni School in KwaZulu Natal received a generous donation of a computer lab on the 20 of June 2025.
The Empangeni computer lab was donated to Wood and Raw Primary School by Net Nine Nine, ushering in a new era of digital learning, including coding and robotics.
While dedicated teachers did their best, limited tools meant that learners were excluded from opportunities that better-resourced schools in the cities could access.
“We are super excited. It’s history in the making. Now our kids will be measured in a competitive world, because they’ll be able to stand alongside learners from resource-rich schools across the country,” said school Principal, Hlengiwe Mchunu.
The computer lab has reliable internet connectivity that covers the administrative block, so this is a huge milestone for educators and all guests who graced the handing-over.
COMPUTER LAB FOR WOOD AND RAW
Among those who attended the special occasion are; Mrs Welile Nzama, Education District Director in the King Cetshwayo District, Head of Education Empangeni High School (EHS) Mr Sizwe Zwane, Contract Management Centre Manager Mr Sibusiso Dube, Ginger Mnguni, school’s SGB chair, Ward 9 Councillor Mr M. Mdaka, and local media who came to witness the momentous occasion.
Previously, Wood and Raw had to use mobile data to access online materials, now teachers can research lesson plans, explore interactive resources, and prepare learners for subjects like coding, robotics.
DIGITAL ERA FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL
Despite being a no-fee school that is reliant on limited government allocations and community fundraising, Wood and Raw Primary School continues to rise above its challenges.
Net Nine Nine’s contribution not only empowers educators and learners, it also sends a strong message to the community that quality education and digital readiness are possible.
The donation aligns with the school’s ambition to ensure that Grade 7 learners graduate with basic computer literacy which has become a vital skill in today’s world that is dominated by digital transformation.
EMPANGENI’S BEACON OF HOPE
As the only school in Empangeni with a fully functional computer lab, Wood and Raw Primary’s transformation represents a beacon of hope. It is poised to attract more learners, uplift educational standards, and prepare learners not just to pass, but to thrive in the digital world.
“We are beyond grateful. You didn’t just donate equipment, you invested in the future of our children. We hope this is just the beginning of a long partnership. We still have a library that needs to be equipped,” the principal shared.
In a time where rural schools are often left behind, Wood and Raw Primary School is stepping boldly into the future, proving that with the right support, even the most modest institutions can produce tomorrow’s innovators.
