Empowering Through Digital Literacy: The Winkie Direko Secure Care Centre Initiative
The Winkie Direko Secure Care Centre initiative addresses critical educational and technological gaps within a secure care environment. By equipping young individuals, teachers, and administrative staff with essential computer and technology skills, the project fosters digital literacy, enhances institutional efficiency, and creates meaningful pathways for future employment and entrepreneurship.
Aligned with the University’s commitment to social justice and sustainable community engagement, this initiative bridges the digital divide. It ensures that both the learners and the staff supporting them are empowered with the modern digital competencies required for academic success, rehabilitation, and long-term socio-economic upliftment.
Strategic Alignment & Project Objectives
Social Justice & Digital Inclusion
Advancing human rights and educational inclusivity by providing marginalised and detained youth with the digital skills necessary for rehabilitation, reintegration, and future employability.
UoT Mandate
Fulfilling the University of Technology mandate through responsive community engagement, integrating real-world digital transformation challenges directly into the Information Administration curriculum.
Core Intervention Pillars
Digital Literacy & Skills
Providing structured, hands-on computer training for juveniles and staff, ensuring participants develop the technological proficiency required for modern academic and professional environments.
Teacher Professional Development
Conducting specialised pedagogical workshops that equip educators with modern teaching methodologies, assistive technology integration, and innovative instructional strategies for special education.
Administrative Capacity Building
Training school personnel in digital record-keeping, workflow automation, and data-driven management systems, significantly streamlining institutional operations and promoting paperless efficiency.
Measurable Impact & Curriculum Integration
The initiative has profoundly influenced both the secure care centre and the wider Mangaung community. By fostering long-term partnerships between CUT, the Winkie Direko Secure Care Centre, and the Tatello Special School, the project ensures sustainable institutional development and creates a harmonious, technology-enabled learning environment.
22
Direct Beneficiaries
(18 Staff/Admin, 4 Juveniles)
5
CUT Academic Staff
(Specialist Facilitators & Mentors)
3
Sustainability Pillars
(Social, Economic, Environmental)
Measurable Outcomes & Curriculum Influence
- Curriculum Enhancement: Insights from the project were directly integrated into the Information Administration course, ensuring mainstream students develop industry-relevant digital skills applied in real-world, community-based settings.
- Operational Efficiency: Administrative staff achieved proficiency in digital record-keeping and management systems, promoting paperless administration and reducing environmental waste.
- Social Reintegration: Juveniles acquired critical digital competencies, directly supporting their rehabilitation, educational inclusivity, and future employability prospects upon reintegration into society.
Project Facilitation Team
Dr Mosweunyane
Ms N Khoza
Mrs I Ngowi
Ms B Mogkosi
Mrs C Maasdorp
Department of Business and Support Studies, CUT
Community Partner
Winkie Direko Secure Care Centre & Tatello Special School
Mangaung Metro Municipality, Free State
Partner With Us
The Department of Business and Support Studies is committed to expanding its digital inclusion and special education outreach. We actively seek to strengthen partnerships with government departments, corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives, and civil society organisations to scale our impact within secure care and special needs educational environments.
Whether your organisation wishes to sponsor digital infrastructure, collaborate on pedagogical research, or support youth reintegration programmes, we welcome your engagement.
Explore Departmental Partnerships
