By Matṧeliso Phulane
Non-profit organisation, Stones Digital Citizens Lesotho (SDCL) recently held training aimed at empowering young people with digital literacy and skills.
The trained held at the American Corner Maseru also sought to create awareness on cyberbullying.
It was attended by SDCL’s partners and the youth.
SDCL is a non-profit organisation which started in February last year and got registered in June. It is dedicated to empowering individuals, especially Basotho youth, with digital literacy skills, as well as educating them on how to navigate the internet safely and responsibly.
The objective of the workshop was to introduce SDCL and showcase its role in empowering youth who are willing to live in a digitalised space to be responsible and respectful citizens.
In her presentation, the founder of SDCL, ‘Mankaba Matela, said the organisation was founded after the Covid-19 pandemic which disrupted everything including students’ learning.
Matela noted that students encountered difficulties through online learning hence she noticed the need to use her digital knowledge from school to equip youth with digital skills in order for them to be able to thrive.
Matela, who studied professional design which includes graphic design and web design at Limkonkwing University of Creative Technology, disclosed that she had to start teaching English classes online.
She said her enthusiasm in technology started way back after completing high school level. She went to Quadrant Computers and studied Microsoft courses and then started tutoring individuals since at that time there was still scarcity of computer studies in most schools.
“What also gave me inspiration was that if there is a way in which people can live indoors, what more when they are able to go outside. Thus, if we are able to communicate with people from China while we are here, then possibilities are endless.
“I then started teaching people online and doing workshops online. At that time I had not even registered SDCL yet,” she recalled.
Matela pointed out that she then discovered there was a lot to do on the internet to make a living through sharing her literacy skills and creating awareness to the people to first of all know the advantages and its disadvantages of using internet.
Furthermore, her inspiration was drawn from one of her friends who complimented on how important it was for her to do online classes.
Matela mentioned that having surrounded herself with friends and people who have the same drive as hers motivated a lot since she had fear of judgement from people.
She encouraged the youth to not only use the internet to chat but also to grow and make money.
She said the way the organisation is growing amazes her and that means as it goes further, she is looking forward to meeting people who will open her eyes and support her with their expertise and funding.
During her presentation, Matela cited two terms: digital literacy and digital citizenship.
“Digital literacy is the ability to look for information, access it and evaluate it and communicate using digital devices and any typing and digital media platforms. On the other hand, digital citizenship is the responsible, respectful and safe use of technology.
“Among other initiatives done by SDCL in Lesotho are: youth cyber bullying and cyber security, and awareness campaigns in high schools and tertiary levels.
“This is where we sensitise students and teachers to be aware of the bullying that is happening online, not just on Facebook but also on WhatsApp,” Matela explained.
SDCL has also engaged into youth career guidance boot camps and kids’ workshops. The company has also introduced a children’s digital citizenship guidebook as well as cyberbullying prevention podcast series.
“We collaborate with various professionals such psychologists and organisations which, among others, deal with mental wellness.
“Apart from that we launched a free digital online magazine December last year, which celebrate Lesotho’s arts and culture as well as informing about topics relating to latest digital trends and digital citizenship and also sustainable initiatives done in the country relating to our culture.
“We have also been engaged on cultural exchange live streams between Lesotho and Japan: cultural keys, online English teaching workshops by introducing Basotho to English as a second language teaching the industry to combat unemployment,” she added.
For safer and respectful online community SDCL encourages the following principles:
- Privacy matters: protect your personal information, be cautious about sharing sensitive data and review your privacy settings regularly.
- Think before you post: consider potential consequences of your post before hitting “Send”.
- Cyberbullying prevention: Stand up against cyberbullying, report and block individuals who engage in harmful behaviour online.
