BULAWAYO Ward 25 Councillor Mzama Dube told a full council meeting in May that 20 computers donated to Nketa Library 10 years ago were still to be connected to the internet.
“Councillor M. Dube noted with concern the pass rate decline for 2020 grade 7 results. Previously Council libraries had assisted learners in their studies. In the ward, 20 computer equipment had been donated and the internet had not been connected for the past 10 years,” read parts of the council report.
“There was a need to urgently connect internet so as to assist learners in their studies,”
Contacted for a comment, Corporate Communications Manager Nesisa Mpofu said the computers in the ward were donated in 2018.
“A donation of 20 new HP laptops were made to Nketa library on 23 July 2018. There is no internet but users can use them,” said Mpofu
She said the library also has one desktop computer purchased through the community retention fund for use by the public.
Mpofu added that the internet facility installed at the library was/is not affordable.
“The pay-as-you -go internet facility installed in Keta and Tshabalala is not affordable to all users,” she said.
“The City in partnered with Old Mutual for Mzilikazi library for the provision of internet services for the community,” she said.
“Currently, Council is working on acquiring an affordable public WIFI service for its library. This will enable users to login for 24hours. The process awaits signing of the partnership Memorandum of Understanding.”
