Press Release - 13 August 2007

JOHANNESBURG and LONDON — 13th August 2007 — Digital Links International, the largest European charity providing computers to African schools, today launched its South African office. The new operation based in Johannesburg will provide increased resources to develop computer projects in schools throughout the country.

The launch took place at the Inanda Club with presentations from the Chairman of Digital Links International in London, Sir Paul Judge, and the UK Trade Commissioner, Brian Gallagher.

Sir Paul said: “Digital Links has already provided computers for a quarter of all secondary school pupils in Kenya and we look forward to working with organisations in South Africa to bring the same benefits to students here. Information technology transforms teaching and learning and opens up a whole new world of opportunities, often for the most disadvantaged.”

Digital Links was founded with the vision of providing IT to communities in the developing world. In the past four years it has provided 1,5 million people with their first experience of technology. Working in 22 countries through Africa, DLI is also at the forefront of the solar and wireless technologies that makes connectivity possible in rural areas.

In South Africa, Digital Links already operates projects across Limpopo, in 19 schools in Giyani and another in Thabazimbi. Further projects are also under consideration with Johnnic’s Learning Channel, MTN, Ma Afrika Tikkun, Microsoft, EDS and in Lesotho with the Sentebale Trust, established by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso.

“South Africa is an excellent base to build and manage our projects and develop partnerships with local organisations to ensure that the work we do has maximum impact. Especially now that we have the partnerships in place that allow us to offer computers for around $3 per beneficiary,“ says Kerryn Krige, who heads up the new office in Johannesburg.

“There is no doubt that computers have transformed our environment. Other surrounding schools look to us and our successes with envy,” says teacher Finn Mazibuko from Hivuyeriwile High in Limpopo. “I see the change in pupils – in their confidence as their literacy, their comprehension and numeracy improves. The power of technology cannot be underestimated in isolated environments like ours”

“My computer has opened my world, it explains everything to me” says 16 year old Mtileli Champion, in his final year of school. “Our textbooks only tell me little bits of information. Our teachers sometimes don’t know the experiments. But my computer knows everything. My computer has made my school lessons understandable”

Technology is recognised as the most affordable and effective means to improve education standards in underdeveloped countries.

Loaded with offline encyclopaedias and e-books, computers give both pupils and teachers instant access to reference libraries. Curriculum software allows pupils to learn interactively and at their own pace and teachers to set assessments and improve their subject knowledge. In South Africa, where many pupils do not have enough text books and teachers are not always fully qualified, the impact of technology is particularly significant.

In its efforts to improve education, Digital Links is pulling together organisations from across South Africa to contribute to building computer centres, particularly in rural schools.

If each company, governmental or parastatal organisation with over 500 employees donated R8,000 to build a computer laboratory in schools, the education landscape would swiftly tranform.

A company with 500 employees will have at least 800 school pupils as the children of those employees - for a nominal R16 per employee, Digital Links can initiate a technology revolution which will tackle literacy, learning methods and teacher edcuation whilst developing cultures of entrepreneurship and opportunity.

“South Africa is a flagship country for Digital Links in Africa,“ says Kerryn Krige. “Many companies have already put their weight behind the initiative to set up projects in urban and rural areas. We shall now be making computers available for other NGOs and schools throughout the country. This is an ideal way for South African business to get involved in delivering community projects.”

Digital Links projects in South Africa will be overseen by its new board. Trustees include:

• Professor Nick Binedell
• Sandra Gordon
• Reverend Norman Montjane
• Professor Lizette Rabe
• Bonang Mohale
• Dr Ivan May