New Sinazongwe ITC in Zambia established

Austria Zimbabwe Friendship Association, Kunzwana Trust, Horizont3000 and the Tonga.Online team are very proud to announce a major step forward in the extension of Tonga.online project: Ziliikuchitika, it's happening in Sinazongwe across the river - Mulonga. The establishment of Sinazongwe ITC at Sinazongwe Basic School, Zambia has been completed.

Five years after the start of the project in Binga, the network has now definitely reached the Zambian side of the Valley. What an occasion to celebrate together with the #50 edition of Tonga.Online newsletter!

Previously, Tonga.Online trainer Theo Sianyuka made a wide reach with project awareness campaigning in Sinazongwe and Mweemba communities of the valley, Mamba Secondary School and other schools, with the support of the Honorable Chief Sinazongwe and Mr and Mrs Miyanda. The computer technician attached to Binga High School by Horizont3000, Uwe Allgäuer, has joined hands with Gary Brooking from Arachnid Design in Bulawayo and traveled to Zambia, successfully installing 15 computers at Sinazongwe Basic School.

Gary wrote: "The installation went well. Connectivity and communications are a big issue there. But apart from that there is a lot of support and enthusiasm for the Project. Theo has been very well received and she is a great ambassador for the project. The Ubuntu and Open Office I am sure will be a great success and a model for many other schools to come".

The photos documenting the installation of the computers are already online. Thanks to Uwe and Tenashi for the pictures.

The IT Centre is expected to be operational by 3rd March 2006. The official opening of Sinazongwe ITC with lots of Ngoma Buntibe and Budima dance and music at another Mulonga.Net Festival is scheduled for the beginning of September.

"I feel there is a call from down under the lake waters for the BaTonga people of the valley on both sides to remain united, sharing the same development and catching up with the world" said Binga coordinator David Mungombe.