About Microsoft South Africa

http://www.microsoft.com/southafrica/corp/

From Microsoft Corporation

The passion

At Microsoft it is our belief that the true measure of our success lies not in the power of our software, but in the power it unleashes in us all. There are no limits to the potential we all might reach because there are no ceilings to the power of human imagination. That is what inspires us to create software and technology solutions that help people and businesses throughout the world realise their potential.
Our work is fuelled by the conviction that software, if made accessible to more people, would remove barriers and transform technology into an extraordinary tool for millions of people around the world.

More than a decade in South Africa

Since the launch of the South African subsidiary in Johannesburg in 1992 we have been privileged to work with South Africa’s brightest technology and business minds in transforming software, hardware and technology offerings into the extraordinary tools that are helping people and businesses to achieve great things, every day.
In celebrating more than a decade in South Africa we’re not only looking at 10 years of Microsoft’s business, but also more importantly at our collective power as an industry in continuously working together to build and empower the country of which we are all proud to be a part.

Empowerment

At Microsoft we believe in empowerment, we also believe that our workforce must evolve to reflect the growing diversity of our communities and global marketplace as our efforts to understand, value and incorporate differences become increasingly important. Since 1993 we have actively promoted and integrated diversity at every level of our organisation, working towards a Microsoft that is truly representative of the South African rainbow nation. We are continuously looking towards growing this skills base. Our Internship Programme for example is focussed on working with young candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds and developing their technical and business skills through mentorship programmes and goal orientated training.
South Africa has made tremendous progress over the last ten years, not only in economic and social terms, but also in adopting new technologies and ideas. This has made South Africa a leader in Africa and in bridging the digital divide.

Microsoft in Africa

From 2002 a central team, based in Johannesburg and leveraging off the strength of Microsoft South Africa, has been providing the Microsoft West East and Central Africa (WECA) region with support to deliver on the company’s commitment to the development of the IT industry across the African continent and in doing so contribute to bridging the digital divide.
Since June 2002, Microsoft has formally aligned itself with the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) by signing a declaration of support for the initiative.

Sivula Amasango

The belief in people’s innate capacity for growth also forms the cornerstone of Microsoft’s social investment programme.

Through our community investment programme, Sivula Amasango, which means ‘to open doors’, we continue to work hard every day to bring technology to millions of South Africans, in ways that are affordable and accessible. Everyone should be able to share in the benefits of the technology revolution.

In May 2002, Microsoft entered into an agreement with the South African Government to donate software to all 32,000 state schools, a project which we have called Digital Bridge. We estimate that Digital Bridge will save the Government more than R100 million annually. Through industry collaboration, such as the Digital Partnership, we will not only be able to provide schools with software but also with hardware. This year alone the Digital Partnership plans to bring more than 75, 000 refurbished computers from the European Union to South African schools.

Working with partners, Microsoft has already established 28 Digital Villages - computer resource centres equipped with the latest technology – throughout South Africa.
Microsoft is an active partner in the Department of Communications’ Houwteq Learning Centre, which aims to be South Africa’s Information and Communications Technology hub. The programme targets historically disadvantaged students who display an aptitude for science, engineering and technology. The programme was initiated to address a skills shortage in the technology and telecommunications industry.

In 1986, the University of the Witwatersrand established the Disabled Students Programme to address the academic requirements of people with special needs. Together with Microsoft, the Disabled Students’ Programme has established a computer laboratory that is properly set up and equipped to allow disabled students to write their examinations in a favourable and comfortable environment.
A programme that is very close to the hearts of everybody at Microsoft is our Giving Campaign, through which we take an active role in community development. Microsoft employees raise awareness and pledge support to a community organisation of their choice in a fund raising effort. During the last five years the SOS Children’s Village in Mamelodi, the Woodside Sanctuary, Nazareth House in Johannesburg, the Princess Alice Adoption Home.