Resource And Information Centres (RICs)

 The Tembaletu Resource and Information Centre

The Tembaletu Resource and Information Centre (RIC) has been operational for over 12 years.  From its inception, the RIC served a dual function – 

Adults, scholars and out-of-school youth are the primary users and beneficiaries of the RIC. With respect to the youth, the RIC addresses, amongst other, the following needs: 

About 17 000 people, on an annual basis, access the various services of the RIC.  The career information provision service is proving to be a valuable service, especially to unemployed youth who lack fundamental knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in the very competitive work environment.  This service equips a young person with information that would lead to an informed decision on his/her part.  It also helps prepare the person to enter the world-of-work whether as an entrepreneur or as an employee of an organization 

The RIC is an enabling environment that empowers people and communities to start and develop self-growth by accessing the different services it offers.  Information is packaged in a format that is accessible and in the desired language for the level of literacy of the users.  The RIC continues to play a strong informal educational function to all. 

The RIC houses an extensive range of FET material (matric subject videos, textbooks, study guides, past exam papers, prospectuses of various educational institutions, career and study materials). These resources support matric and FET learners. This service is further enhanced by the career guidance opportunities offered by the Centre.   

Literacy materials (adult easy readers, facilitator guides, posters, games and IEB past exam papers) are available for both educator and learner to use.  These literacy materials and resources are also utilized by externally based ABET learners and facilitators. 

The RIC networks with other academic institutions, organizations and libraries.  This networking assists the RIC to expand and acquire a broader resource base, which in turn, is made available to the users.  

The Naledi Stoffelton RIC

This RIC is situated at Stoffelton, in the Impendle area, 100 km from Pietermaritzburg.  From its humble beginning in June 2001, the RIC has now grown and become an integral part of the community.  The RIC was initially established with the primary aim of supporting ABET learners sustain their newly acquired reading and writing skills.  However, the services of the RIC have grown and have been extended to the community at large.  Scholars, out-of-school youth, young children, adult learners and members of the community use the RIC on a frequent basis.

 Quarterly stakeholder meetings are held where the community decides on and prioritises social, economic, and educational issues they want to be addressed via the public seminars. To date, the public seminars have addressed issues around stock theft, careers and the world-of-work, government pensions and nature conservation. The seminars prove to be very popular and are well attended by the community.

 The RIC offers another valuable service to ABET learners who are engaged in livelihood activities.  This service was extended to the rest of the Stoffelton community as people recognised the benifits of such a service. 

The Loskop RIC

The Loskop RIC was established in 2005.  It is housed at Mjwayeli HP School in Loskop (Estcourt area), 130km from Pietermaritzburg.  The users of the RIC are ABET learners, scholars and out-of-school youth, members of the local community and preschool children. 

The Loskop RIC also holds stakeholder meetings in which the local community prioritises socio-economic issues they want to address via the public seminars.  To date, the public seminars have addressed issues around spousal and child abuse, careers and the world-of-work, and gender (women) rights.

Like the Stoffelton RIC, the Loskop RIC also offers a valuable support service to all people engaged in livelihood activities.

The Tugela Ferry RIC

The Tugela Ferry RIC was established in 2005.  It is situated at Ebathenjini Tribal Court, Tugela Ferry, 150km from Pietermaritzburg.  The users of the RIC are scholars and out-of-school youth; ABET learners, pensioners and members from local communities.

Stakeholder meetings are also held to prioritise socio-economic issues that would be addressed through public seminars.  To date, the public seminars addressed issues around transport (roads) and housing.

Like the Loskop and Stoffelton RICs, the Tugela Ferry RIC also offers a supportive service to ABET learners and community members who are engaged in livelihood activities and projects.

The Dalton RIC

This RIC started in February 2007 and is situated at Njengabantu School.  The aim of the RIC is to support ABET learners at Njengabantu, Jikijiki and Dayingubo.  The RIC offers support to the local communities via skills training around business skills, livelihoods and Human Rights. 

The RIC holds quarterly public seminars to address issues affecting the community as a whole. To date, the public seminars addressed issues around pensions and grants; creating a viable working relationship between the community and the SAPS; soil conservation; and access to government grants for communal farming.

Like the Loskop, Stoffelton, and Tugela Ferry RICs, the Dalton RIC also offers a supportive service to ABET learners and community members who are engaged in livelihood activities and projects.