Mbeki: Come finish my speech
2004-09-13 10:10
Mokopane - A local young man who was initially hired to unpack boxes at a community computer centre, made history on Sunday when President Thabo Mbeki asked him to deliver his presidential speech on his behalf.
The unusual honour that befell Solly Masinga, 24, on Saturday took place at the second birthday celebrations of the Mogalakwena HP community centre after his success story formed part of Mbeki and Africa's first space traveller, computer whiz Mark Shuttleworth's speeches.
Carly Fiorina, chief executive of the American computer company Hewlett Packard (HP), said Masinga was initially hired to unpack boxes at the centre.
At the time, he had only basic knowledge of computers, but wanted to learn more about the things he was unpacking from the boxes. Within six weeks, he had a new system under control.
Heads a project
He attended more courses and is currently heading a project where a new system, the so-called 441, is being implemented at the University of Limpopo. This new product of HP makes it possible for four people to work on one computer individually at the same time.
When Mbeki had to deliver his speech later, he said: "Everybody knows I am not very bright. Solly, however, is." He briefly told the audience how impressed he was with the new centre before calling on Masinga 'to finish my speech for me'".
Going to university
Masinga stood next to Mbeki and thanked everyone who had contributed to his success. He said such support could help to curb crime and unemployment in South Africa.
After Masinga's speech, Mbeki undertook to see that his (Masinga's) dream of going to university is realised.
Mbeki also asked Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who accompanied him on his visit, to investigate how computers can be used to assist the teaching of hearing-impaired persons.
This came after he heard earlier in the day of a pupil who lost his hearing in 2000, but who completed all his schoolwork with the aid of a computer.
The centre was opened two years ago after a decision was taken at the World Summit on Sustainable Development to launch the project in the Mogalakwena municipality.