Ubombo Sugar Limited (USL) has invested E466,000 to refurbish and equip a modern ICT laboratory at Big Bend High School, giving learners in the rural Lubombo region greater access to digital learning tools.
The company officially handed over the upgraded facility on Thursday during a ceremony attended by the Minister of Education & Training, Owen Nxumalo, regional leaders, school authorities, teachers, and students.
The project delivered 30 desktop computers, an HP Colour LaserJet printer, Microsoft Office 2024 software installed on all machines, a projector for teaching and presentations, and two 30,000 BTU air conditioners. USL also renovated the classroom by painting the walls, tiling the floors, and refurbishing the computer desks to create a more conducive learning environment.
Nxumalo welcomed the investment and stated that the upgraded ICT facility will help prepare learners for a technology-driven economy. “The world our learners are entering is one where technology is no longer optional; it is essential,” Nxumalo said.
He noted that many rural schools still face challenges in accessing modern digital tools and urged stakeholders to collaborate in bridging the gap between urban and rural education systems.
“For rural schools like Big Bend High, bridging the digital divide is not a luxury; it is a necessity,” he said. “This ICT facility will help learners gain confidence, exposure, and competence in using technology.”
Nxumalo also commended Ubombo Sugar for promptly responding to the school’s request for help and turning a struggling computer room into a modern digital learning space. “A few months ago, this school reached out for help because the ICT lab they had was no longer suitable for the world our children are growing into. Ubombo Sugar did not hesitate. They responded positively and made this transformation possible,” he said.
USL Managing Director, Muzi Siyaya, stated that the investment demonstrates the company’s long-standing dedication to education and community development near its operations. “Education has always been a core pillar of Ubombo Sugar’s community investment efforts,” Siyaya said.
He explained that the company saw an opportunity to improve digital learning at a school near its operations. “Big Bend High School sits in a rural community where students often face barriers to modern technology and digital resources. We felt strongly about playing a role in closing this digital divide,” he said.
Siyaya urged learners to utilize the facility to build digital skills and seek opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). “This lab is a platform for innovation, a gateway to information, and a bridge between classroom learning and future careers,” he said. “Your background does not limit your dreams; your effort does.”
He added that the project complements Ubombo Sugar’s STEM Subjects Tutoring Program, launched two years ago to support students pursuing science and technology courses. Six students from Big Bend High School were part of the program’s first group of 30 students who took their external exams in 2025.
School head teacher Bongisipho Vilakati described the new facility as a major boost to the school’s learning environment. “Before the renovation, the lab had outdated computers and deteriorating infrastructure. These challenges slowed down learning and affected our academic performance,” Vilakati said.
He said the refurbished laboratory has already inspired teachers and students to adopt technology more actively. “After seeing this project, even I realized that I must have a computer in my office,” he said. “The wind of technology is blowing across the school, and we must move with it.”
Vilakati also thanked Ubombo Sugar and the Ministry of Education for recognising the school’s needs and investing in the future of its learners.
Learners welcomed the new facility and said the extra computers would make it easier to complete assignments and research projects. Previously, many students had to share machines and take turns because of limited equipment.
Nxumalo urged the school community to protect the facility and ensure it benefits generations of learners. “Today we are not just opening a computer lab,” he said. “We are opening a door to digital learning, new opportunities, and a brighter future for the children of Big Bend High School.”