Eight firefighters from the Thurlow Team in KwaZulu-Natal attended a free computer course organised by the KwaZulu-Natal Social Development Practitioner, Hloniphile Ndlovu, at the Olwazini Discovery and Computer Centre in Pietermaritzburg.

“I organised the computer course because it is a necessary skill and whenever we see vacancies being advertised, there is always a computer skill requirement. This accredited course will open better opportunities for our participants,” says Ndlovu.

Thurlow Base Communications Representative (BCR ), Sfiso Hlela, attended the course. Although he has had some experience with computers he says he also learnt new skills at Olwazini Discovery and Computer Centre.

“You might think you know but you have no idea. The first day I spent at Olwazini Discovery and Computer Centre was incredibly amazing. Everything the educator taught us was clear and I understood. It’s true when they say that we learn until we die,” says Hlela.

The firefighters who passed the course are very grateful for the opportunity and thanked Hloniphile Ndlovu for organising the training for them and Olwazini Discovery and Computer Centre for providing the training. Ndlovu hopes the centre will accommodate other firefighters in the Programme in future.

Olwazini Discovery and Computer Centre is an educational science centre situated at the Golden Horse Casino, operated by Tsogo Sun.

Some of the programmes offered include a fiveday adult computer training course in Ms Word, Ms Excel, Ms PowerPoint, the internet and email. A certificate of competence is awarded after successful completion of the course.