Giorgio Gorelli, the Managing Director of Fiat Group Automobiles South Africa, has officially presented Mokgome Senior Secondary School in Soweto with their very own personal computer lab.

Following the visit of the Confindustria (representing all leading Italian industries) and the Associazione Bancaria Italiana or Italian Bankers Association, Giorgio Gorelli, the Managing Director of Fiat Group Automobiles South Africa, officially presented Mokgome Senior Secondary School in Soweto with their very own personal computer lab comprising eight personal computers each with their own tutorial flat screen monitors.

This brings the total to six schools (Kelokitso Senior Secondary, Hlabangani Juniour Secondary, Thakisa Primary, Thobeka Primary, Mokgome Senior Secondary and Marumofase High) that have received similar fully-kitted computer labs courtesy of this initiative.

The installed computer equipment worth around a half a million Rand was generously donated by the aforementioned organisations. This kind gesture arose out of a fruitful forum that was held earlier this year in which the Confindustria of Italy (the Chairman is Luca Cordero di Montezemolo - also the Chairman of the Fiat Group), the Italian Trade Commission and Business Unity South Africa with the support from the South African Government fostered the building of partnerships, joint ventures and investment projects between South Africa and Italy.

“It’s both a pleasure and a privilege for me to represent these important Italian associations, knowing that this initiative is going to touch the lives of more than 10 000 previously disadvantaged learners,” Gorelli said.

He added that this project together with Fiat Group Automobiles SA’s own realisation of the Fiat Sports Centre in Soweto is evidence of big business supporting skills development, whether it be in the sports or academic arena. His request is that others join this kind of initiative to create the ‘right base of behaviour and knowledge for our learners to participate fully in society’.

In conclusion, Mr Gorelli expressed his sincere thanks to the Vice President of Confindustria, Mr Giuseppe Morandini, and the Vice President of A.B.I., Mr Giovanni De Censi, both of whom personally met the principals of the recipient schools in Soweto back in July when the initiative was born.