By Stefan Hecke
N PHIRI
Teacher, English Language & Literature, Forms 3 and 4
The Internet centre is something good. It is a blessing for all of us, teachers, students, the community. I come here daily to work on teaching material and to access literature on the internet. For example, I use it to download a summary of an English examination set book, which is not available here. Previously I would have done the summary myself, by hand, and it would take very long. I know someone once travelled to Bulawayo to get such material. I also use the computers to produce teaching material. I have met many friends using email, and it is still easy to talk to my friends, wherever they are. Tonga culture, I don’t have much knowledge about it, but it can give them exposure on internet and they can have access to information. Yes, I think access is equal to all people. We teachers pay for personal use and school work is free, I think it is absorbed by the School Development Association. It is affordable, but we should look for development to reduce the charges to make it easier for others. If you have interest but no money, you can do nothing. The ITC will bring development to Binga, which was previously backward in these things.
MRS PROSPERITY MANGENA
Teacher, Samende Primary School - 20 km - husband in Binga
The internet centre is a good thing, it will create interest and help a lot, especially young children, growing up knowing about computers. Even playing games will give them much interest, as they learn to be confident. We elders get the chance of trying to do something, even if you have no job, you can get knowledge and better job opportunities. I come to the ITC whenever I can, when I am in Binga. I did a computer course in bulawayo in 1996, but I have now forgotten, so I am trying to re-learn many things. The people here have helped me very much. I want such a kind of job, and now I can get it. I have not yet gone onto the internet or emailing. Although it is a distance from Samende to here, it is still better than the long journey to Bulawayo, which is expensive. I think it is affordable at $50 per hour, yes. Tonga culture may become recognised through this internet.
MICHAEL MONDE
Accounts Teacher, Gwaai Secondary School, home in Binga.
I visit the centre weekends and holidays, and use email and computer. I want to learn more packages, Pastel etc. I did some courses at the Gweru Technical college including information technology and computer packages, but I want to learn more. I am very impressed with this centre, it is a great achievement, bringing educatin to the people. IT is coming up now, youngsters are coming for games and lessons. I think it is affordable for working people, and kids, well they have to budget and sacrifice for it. Here at Binga kids have a chance, but at Gwaai, there is zero level of computer literacy. They don’t even know what is a computer. We need a centre like this in Gwaai. An ITC like this can bring together people of different races and tribes; Tonga learning about others, and to us as foreigners here, we can learn about them. This secondary school is a good opportunity for cultural exchange locally, as there are kids from all over, Hwange, Dete, Vic Falls. It is an advantage to most. My friends were surprised - an ITC in Binga!! They think we are so backward. I wish you could add more training courses, so that instead of games, kids learn the computer.
ELIAS MUNKULI
A Level student, Upper 6th Form, Binga HS
I come here about twice a week, mostly for researching about geography. I used the CD Encarta, but I have not yet used email. As a student, the internet helps me get information on subjects, for example Accounting, I want to learn the layout and compilation of accounts. Up to now we have been using the manual method only. Now my mouse and keyboard skills are OK. The centre plays a very good role for Tonga culture. It’s the first time for Tongas to see a computer and use it for processing information. The students are learning much. The fees are affordable for boarders who stay at the hostel and budget their pocket money (allowance), but those who live out have to take care of their own accommodation and food, so it is difficult. About Ngoma buntibe, it should definitely be continued, but to survive they must adapt. Since ngoma buntibe was used especially when there is a death or celebration, and was related to spiritual things, it was rejected by church people. But they should adapt the music [to church music]. Also ngoma buntibe is failing to proceed because people playing it are no longer surviving. It would be a very good idea if revived. In my area of Simatelele, the people are interested, but for that to proceed, they need help to get horns. Before they would kill the animals they needed, but now it is illegal and horns are scarce. You cannot use just anything. People are interested in broadcasting Tonga culture. Here in Binga Tonga culture is despised by others. But now these computers from Austria, they now have respect. Tonga people were despised.
more Interviews:
Bhebe
Dube
Mangena
Mpande
Phiri
Sibanda
Sinampande
comments and notes from networking meeting on 31st Aug.