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Our Communities
Ensuring positive socio-economic impact by unlocking shared prosperity through supporting inclusive education is core to Datatec's purpose.
We are advocates for education and lifelong learning. Over our 37-year history, we have maintained the belief that education is the most transformative force in building a competitive economy and resilient societies. Primarily through the work of our subsidiaries and through the Datatec Educational and Technology Foundation ("the Foundation"), we actively work towards ensuring that education is more inclusive and socially relevant by investing in eliminating barriers to education and actively driving access to quality learning opportunities.
Datatec has committed to work and partner with organisations that align with its Responsible Business philosophy and that offer programmes which support education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics ("STEM") to empower disadvantaged communities, and which facilitate interventions to increase the number of women and minority groups in the technology industry.
Datatec Group
The transition toward the fourth industrial revolution is drastically changing the workforce landscape. STEM-related careers are a significant force behind innovation and economic growth, and there is increased emphasis on a tech-driven and tech-enabled workforce. To ensure that South African youth have access to quality education, regardless of their background or economic status, the Foundation follows a future-led approach to fund educational organisations whose purpose is to empower and equip young people with the skills needed to participate more inclusively in our economy.
Overview of the Foundation
The Foundation funds organisations to improve education within underprivileged communities in South Africa, specifically in STEM subjects. As a competitive global market leader in ICT, Datatec regards it as imperative to address the needs of its founding country's people and make a meaningful difference where it is needed most – education in South Africa.
Our programmes
Kutlwanong Centre for Maths, Science and Technology - Promaths
Promaths provides after-school and holiday mathematics and physical sciences tuition for Grades 10 – 12 learners (240 in FY22, 270 in FY23, and 300 in FY24) in the Eastern Cape's Mdantsane township.
OLICO Maths Education
OLICO provides a blended use of extracurricular mathematics tutoring, custom-built online mathematics programmes for Grade 7 – 12 learners, and mathematics clubs aimed at primary-school learners (Grades R – 6). The mathematics clubs offer fun games and activities to build basic core number fluency and enjoyment of the subjects.
PROTEC Pietermaritzburg
PROTEC Pietermaritzburg Academy provides enrichment education for disadvantaged children in Grades 9 – 12. The aim is to provide learners with tuition in core mathematics, the sciences, coding, and English, and to empower them to pursue technological careers of their choice.
Tomorrow Trust
The Tomorrow Trust provides integrated academic and psychosocial support to orphaned and vulnerable children. Datatec supports the Saturday and holiday school programme, providing academic support for disadvantaged children. Learners receive comprehensive academic lessons in mathematics, English, and natural sciences, as well as providing career guidance support, leadership workshops, and psychosocial support.
The Vula Programme at Hilton College
The Vula Programme is an educational outreach initiative at Hilton College in KwaZulu-Natal, which services more than 100 under-resourced schools from previously disadvantaged communities. Datatec contributes towards the running of the project.
Afrika Tikkun
Afrika Tikkun provides sustainable care and educational development for vulnerable and orphaned children from birth until age 25.
Maharishi Institute
The Maharishi Institute offers virtually free university access opportunities to unemployed youth, and increased employability after completing their degree courses.
Belgium Campus iTversity
The Belgium Campus is an IT university offering IT degrees, diplomas, and certificates to graduates.
The following are approximate numbers of individuals who have benefited from the ZAR8.7 million funding provided by the Foundation in FY23:
CSI spend by project type
%
CSI spend by geography
%
Teacher and learner development at a secondary school level
| FY23 targets as published in the Datatec FY22 Integrated Report |
Progress against FY23 targets | FY24 targets | |||
Project – Kutlwanong Promaths |
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| 25 distinctions in mathematics and science |
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| 100% pass rate |
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| 100% Bachelor pass rate |
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| Provide career guidance to all learners |
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| Utilise online platforms to deliver blended learning |
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| Run a device campaign to supply learners with a device in FY23, focusing on Grade 12 learners in Mdantsane centre |
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Project – The Tomorrow Trust |
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| 100% pass rate |
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Grade 11 targets
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| All learners to average above 50% in English, mathematics, life science, and physical sciences |
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| 70% of learners to achieve 50% or more in mathematics and English |
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| 100% of Datatec-supported learners achieve higher results than their peers at school in mathematics and English |
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| 95% attendance rate |
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Project – OLICO Maths Education |
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| 50 matric learners for 2022 |
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| 100% matric pass rate |
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| 100% mathematics pass rate |
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| 70% of Grade 12 learners achieve 50% or higher in mathematics |
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| 70% post-secondary acceptance |
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| 1 575 learners in the high school programme in 2022 |
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| 1 600 learners in the primary school programme in 2022 |
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| 10 000 learners to have access to the WhatsApp hotline in 2022 |
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| Diepsloot centre to be upgraded in 2022 |
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Project – The Vula Programme |
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| Mathematics training for an additional 100 teachers |
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| Support for 300 mathematics teachers from training intakes of previous years |
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| Ongoing science training and support for up to 100 teachers |
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| Directly assist more than 1 000 learners |
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| Provide career guidance to 500 Grade 12 learners |
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Project – PROTEC Pietermaritzburg |
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| N/A – New project | N/A – New project |
Grade 12 targets
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Improving technology infrastructure and access to computers
| FY23 targets as published in the Datatec FY22 Integrated Report |
Progress against FY23 targets | FY24 targets | |||
Project – Afrika Tikkun |
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| Make available an additional 100 iPads to be used across five centres to support eLearning programmes |
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Reach 2 670 youth through the Child and Youth Development Programme | |||
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| Enable access to quality technology infrastructure for learners and communities |
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| To reach a minimum of an additional 2 500 beneficiaries with the above initiatives |
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ICT skills development for the unemployed
| FY23 targets as published in the Datatec FY22 Integrated Report |
Progress against FY23 targets | FY24 targets | |||
Project – Maharishi Institute |
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| Train 530 unemployed youth |
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Finalise the project and reach the target of training 530 unemployed youth by end of 2023 | |||
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| Develop skills for the fourth industrial revolution |
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| Finalisation of the second year of the project |
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Bursaries for disadvantaged learners
| FY23 targets as published in the Datatec FY22 Integrated Report |
Progress against FY23 targets | FY24 targets | |||
Belgium Campus iTversity |
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| Students to complete their IT degree (fourth year) and secure an internship |
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Successful completion of the IT degree for the learner who is repeating one module in 2023 | |||
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| Assist with employment for the newly graduated learners |
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- Achieved
- Partially achieved
Datatec flagship project
In FY23, Datatec partnered with the Bunmi Adedayo Foundation to support their "Subject Enhancement Programme in Mathematics". Through this initiative, 1 000 mathematics teachers from low-cost schools across three Nigerian states (Osun, Ogun and Rivers states) received additional training, hands-on skills, and exposure to best practice tools and principles. This will enable 30 000 primary school students to increase their academic improvement in mathematics, providing them with the skills needed to succeed in the modern economy. Datatec has invested US$67 500 in the project, providing infrastructural support for 15 schools and operational support and training resources. This is part of our commitment to creating more opportunities for young people to secure meaningful and rewarding work.
Datatec's emergency response
Datatec responded to the severe flooding and landslides caused by heavy rainfall in April 2022 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The catastrophic event resulted in over 400 deaths, displaced people, and destroyed houses. In response, Datatec donated ZAR100 000 to Doctors Without Borders and Gift of the Givers to aid relief efforts.
In February 2023, a powerful earthquake hit southeast Turkey and the northwest region of Syria, leaving thousands of people needing necessities like shelter, food, clean water, and sanitation. Datatec responded by donating US$50 000 to Concern Worldwide on their Turkey-Syria Earthquake Emergency Appeal to assist those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
Mandela Day
Datatec head office and WestconGroup SA staff spent a day at OLICO's Diepsloot centre on Mandela Day – an annual celebration in South Africa to mark Nelson Mandela's birthday to commemorate his legacy – painting the computer labs. Datatec also funded the installation of water tanks, fixing toilets and a new short throw projector for one of the labs as part of the Mandela Day initiative.
Datatec also recently funded the installation of a second computer lab at this centre to help cater for more learners, funded a solar system installation and purchased tablets for another OLICO centre.
Bunmi Adedayo Foundation – mathematics teachers training.
Westcon International
Westcon International continues to adhere to its CSR policy to be a responsible business that meets the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. It is committed to working and partnering with organisations that align with its CSR philosophy on sustainability, e-waste, technology, and education. Westcon International is committed to the United Nations Global Compact and will readily act to promote its identity as a socially aware and responsible business.
Below are some community initiatives from its operations across the world.
North America
Westcon International North America continues to support the community by donating to local charitable not for profit organisations such as Toys for Tots and Meals on Wheels.
Europe
Westcon UK – Foodbank appeal.
In April 2022, Westcon International's UK team hosted its first Migrant Leaders event. Migrant Leaders is a charity working with first and second-generation migrants to inspire and help them capture career opportunities. A three-day hybrid internship was designed in which six students were introduced to Westcon International's global business functions in the first two days through interactive virtual sessions and online meetings, followed by an in-person final day at the Westcon-Comstor office in Bracknell UK which included security and collaboration workshops. The students were given valuable insights, tips, training and a network of professionals to build lasting connections with.
Money was also raised for one of Westcon International's charities, #ShelterUK. All leftover food and sweet treats were taken to The Salvation Army homeless shelter in Swindon.
Weston-Comstor Iberia collaborates with non-profit organisations whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social wellbeing. One of the projects supported helps children with health problems through a bottle caps recycling initiative to help cover some of their needs.
Events promoted and held in the region included:
- "March4Woman" for International Women's Day in March 2022
- "Walk & Talk" for World Mental Health Day between October and November
The Central European region supported a children's home in Berlin, SOS-Kinderdorf and donated EUR10 000.
Middle East and Africa
Westcon International's Middle East team is passionate about supporting disadvantaged communities. Among the initiatives that Westcon International's Middle East supported in FY23 were:
- Volunteering at Senses Residential and Day Care for Special Needs, a non-profit organisation based in Dubai, and the first residential care facility in the Middle East dedicated to improving the quality of life of People of Determination
- Toy donation to Al Jalilah Children's Specialty Hospital, the first dedicated children's hospital in the United Arab Emirates built on the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity for success in life and that the treatment of children suffering from illness or disease should not be subject to geographical chance
Westcon Iberia – Employee children Christmas party.
WestconGroup SA continues to support the JB Marks Education Trust Fund by providing bursaries to study Information Technology at tertiary level for the dependants of the National Union of Mineworkers members. Its disabled learnership programme also continued, providing learnership for four disabled individuals run by Action for The Blind, including accommodation, sourcing and assessment, and a stipend. It also offered a schooling assistance programme to support employees' children through bursaries that will fund primary and secondary education. In addition, the Westcon Woman's Empowerment Trust provided bursaries to two females to study Information Technology at the tertiary level. Employees also participated in a canned food drive and successfully collected over 2 000 food cans for Meals on Wheels.
Westcon Africa partnered with Rising Above the Storms ("RAS"), a global non-profit organisation providing aid in Rwanda. RAS is dedicated to advocating for at-risk and vulnerable youth. It is continuing this partnership to ensure the continuity and longevity of the ongoing projects at the Rwanda Learning Centre, which include:
- Youth Education: Sponsorship of 10 youths for their education and schooling needs for an entire year
- Technology: The business setup of a computer lab named "Comstor and Friends E-Lab" (in partnership with Westcon Africa's business partners in Rwanda) to introduce disadvantaged youth to technology early in life
- Girl Health: A contribution was made towards purchasing sanitary products (equivalent of one-year supply)
Asia-Pacific
Further internal promotion of Westcon International's "Community Service Day" in New Zealand saw over 100 hours dedicated to volunteering, an increase from the previous financial year. Some examples of how the team spent their days volunteering includes: Eat My Lunch, Surf Lifesaving, and youth/school camps. Employees also donated Christmas gifts to Starship Children's Hospital while Westcon New Zealand made a charitable donation to continue as a corporate partner.
In February 2023, New Zealand experienced a severe tropical cyclone, Cyclone Gabrielle, which devastated the North Island, resulting in an estimated 10 000 people being displaced and over 225 000 homes losing power, with some towns being completely cut off from telecommunications and road access. Westcon New Zealand partnered with Cisco New Zealand to provide logistic support and the transportation of critical Cisco equipment to recover Hawkes Bay region, the worst-hit area.
The Westcon Australia team contributed to a number of charities during FY23, including:
- Australia's Biggest Morning Tea. This community event raises vital funds to make a big difference for those impacted by cancer
- "CEO Walk in My Shoes", a programme where funds were to support children and their families going through tough times
- For a few years in a row, Westcon Australia has participated in STEPtember to help in raising funds for cerebral palsy research and this year had five teams participate, raising over AU$2 000
- Funds were also raised for Movember which helps to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer and men's suicide
Many community service events were held by Westcon International's teams in Asia:
In Singapore, following last year's success, a "Walk for Charity" was organised, not only to get fit, but to turn miles into charity. Over 100 participants walked along the East Coast Park and MacRitchie Nature Trail and Reservoir Park. An impressive distance of 1 439 km was walked, amounting to US$14 390. Together with the individual pledged donations of US$1 470, Westcon Singapore raised close to $16 000 for Food from the Heart, eligible for a dollar-for-dollar matching grant from the Singapore Government Tote Board; a total of over US$31 000 – slightly more than last year.
In Hong Kong, with the same goal in mind, a charity walk was organised and clocked a total distance of 205 km which amounted to over HK$10 000 for Big Tree Animal Sanctuary and Adoption Centre.
The team in the Philippines organised a mangrove tree planting, and donated necessary items to the Binuangan Elementary School, Obando Bulacan.
For information on Westcon International's FY24 targets, please refer to the Datatec 2023 Integrated Report.
Logicalis
Logicalis' social and community development goal is to improve education for the next generation and to support local charities in the communities that it operates in. Its focus is on supporting education in STEM, and enabling opportunities for women and minority groups to enter and be supported within the ICT sector.
Logicalis continued to support future Architects of Change™ through education in FY23, implementing 15 strategic education projects across the Group in the US, EMEA, Asia, Australia and Latin America, exceeding its goal for FY23. This commitment, as well as its intention to ensure that at least 50% of project beneficiaries are women and/or represent regional ethnic minority groups, is part of its long-term goal to implement at least 30 strategic education projects across the division by FY25 - at least one in every country.
Below are some community initiatives from its operations across the world.
Logicalis Spain Innovation Challenge.
Logicalis International
North America
Logicalis United States ("LUS") launched the Women's Initiatives Network – Live2Lead speaker series to inspire Architects of Change to embrace the power of personal growth and extend job postings to top historically black colleges and universities in the US.
A scholarship programme has been developed to provide financial support for females, transgender women or individuals who identify as non-binary to pursue a career in STEM. US$3 500 in scholarships were awarded to two applicants that will be awarded in FY24. Unallocated funds will be rolled to FY24.
EMEA
Logicalis UK successfully launched the STEM Ambassador Programme in FY22 which was continued in FY23. This national volunteer programme aims to inspire and engage children and young people (ages 5 to 19) in all things STEM. Ambassadors from STEM employers provide free support in and out of the classroom. At the time of launch, approximately six employees joined the programme to provide mentoring to local schools in the Slough area. It also supported the Toys and Teens Appeal over Christmas.
In FY23, Logicalis Ireland introduced one volunteer day per year for employees to engage in community activities and a policy will be implemented to support this.
Logicalis Channel Islands continued the sponsorship of the community rugby club as well as the Gorey Regatta, a family and community sailing event.
Logicalis Germany donated EUR1 000 to each of the social initiatives at its German branch offices, including Tierhilfeverein Kellerranch e.V., Kinderprojekt Arche, Kleine Hilfsaktion e.V., Stiftung Schmetterling, and Bodelschwingh-Schule. It also expanded its cooperation with Hacker School, including integration into Girls' Day.
Logicalis SA homeless shelter donation.
Logicalis Portugal donated towards the Women's Race initiative, to the UNICEF – Ukraine Campaign in August 2022, and donated material and made a financial contribution to the Casa Organisation.
Among Logicalis Spain's community initiatives in FY23 were the "Logicalis Innovation Challenge", in which Logicalis Spain partnered with Spanish universities to support students in technology and Apadrina TIC – Logicalis mentored three STEM students and contributed to funding the programme with a particular focus on women in STEM degrees.
Logicalis South Africa ("LSA") upgraded and renewed the Lenasia Muslim School's firewall and internet security. Additionally, it donated clothes, blankets and toiletries to a homeless shelter in the community as part of its Mandela Day and Women's Day initiatives. LSA also provided financial support and investments to its suppliers to help them grow and expand their businesses and offerings as well as bursaries and learnerships for learners in previously disadvantaged communities.
Asia-Pacific
Logicalis Australia executives participated in the annual CEO sleepout event, raising AU$14 000 to support the growing number of homeless people in Australia. It also supported STEPtember, an initiative that promotes active health and raised more than $4 000 for cerebral palsy. Its eighth year running the Christmas Toy Appeal was also a great success.
Logicalis Australia also partnered with Anglicare Victoria and The Salvation Army to donate and wrap toys, raising over $5 000 to provide toys for children who may otherwise not be able to receive them for Christmas. Over 100 toys were donated by staff and key technology vendor Dell Technologies. In addition, it matched donations of AU$5 000 towards these causes.
Logicalis Singapore and iZeno hosted three sessions of technology workshops, career talks and office tours for Polytechnic Girls in Technology to support and inspire the girls to pursue a career in the industry. It also collaborated with Cisco Singapore to support Club Rainbow children (with chronic illnesses) to organise cyber security talks, mentorship, e-learning via Cisco Net academy and office tours. A workshop was also organised for the children at Club Rainbow to celebrate Children's Day, where Logicalis Singapore employees and their children created door hangers and fridge magnets.
Logicalis Australia Christmas Toy Appeal.
Donations of laptops to Medical Awareness Camp Outreach ("MACO") under their Computer Empowerment Programme were made by Logicalis Malaysia. The laptops will be repurposed and refurbished by the group of interns at MACO and donated to schools, refugee homes and underprivileged families.
Logicalis Hong Kong conducted a talk for female students at one of the schools of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, while Packet System Indonesia collaborated with 1 000 Guru Foundation to send 24 of its best employees to pursue a career in technology.
For information on Logicalis International's FY24 targets, please refer to the Datatec 2023 Integrated Report.
Logicalis Latin America
In FY23, Logicalis Latin America supported several education-focused initiatives, which included:
Logicalis LATAM Women Rock IT event.
- PROA Institute: Sponsorship of 10 young low-income black women in the PROPROFISSÃO training course, which enables them to work as programmers and start their careers in IT. The course is intended for young people between the ages of 17 and 22 from the state of São Paulo, who are attending or have completed their third year of high school in the public education system, and runs for six months, with 440 hours of training.
- Women Rock IT (Cisco): A free online programme developed by Cisco, to train girls and women (cisgender and transgender) in support of business operations and small retailers. It covers building simple local area networks, IP addressing schemes, basic network security, and basic configurations for routers and switches. The goal is to enable them to access more career opportunities, increase their employability and ensure they can decide their economic future. The course runs for approximately six months and is part of a global movement to motivate girls and women to dedicate themselves to technology, including pursuing certification in networking.
- Technovation Summer School for Girls: Logicalis Latin America sponsored this event for the third time in 2023, with an entirely online and free event organised by University of São Paulo-São Carlos, allowing girls between 10 and 18 years old to learn how to create mobile applications with training in computing and entrepreneurship. The event's main objective is to demonstrate to teenagers and young women that they are as capable as boys of working in the field of exact sciences, emphasising that computing is not something exclusive to the male world.
- Chess for All: An initiative of the Association for the Development of Chess, a non-profit entity that assists 200 children between the ages of seven and 12 with physical disabilities, visual disabilities, mild Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Down syndrome. The project uses the game as a pedagogical tool to stimulate and develop social and emotional skills in the children, such as memory, concentration, logical reasoning, analytical ability, helping to promote their inclusion.
For information on Logicalis Latin America's FY24 targets, please refer to the Datatec 2023 Integrated Report.