On April 14, 2026, the official handover ceremony for the Technology Lab was held at Gcinibandla Primary School in Majola, Port St. John’s, South Africa. This project was spearheaded through a public-private partnership involving Honorable Nonceba Mhlauli, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL)—an NGO in special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)—the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), and local partners.
The Majola region has long faced economic challenges due to geographical isolation, limited resource accessibility, and a history of local conflict.
In 2024, Deputy Minister Mhlauli, then a community activist, collaborated with both organizations to implement a welfare initiative distributing dignity packs to women and girls in Majola. Reflecting on the impetus behind the project, Deputy Minister Mhlauli stated, “Following the local unrest, I recognized the urgent need to address the aftermath and social responsibilities faced by unemployed women who must care for children in our communities.”
These individual support initiatives have since evolved into the expansion of educational infrastructure, driven by the Deputy Minister’s sustained administrative focus and robust public-private cooperation. This culminated in the inauguration of the Technology Lab at Gcinibandla Primary School on April 14, 2026.
During the ceremony, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed to provide ongoing support for the lab’s operation and the integration of peace and digital education. This measure aims to institutionalize the educational system rather than remaining a one-off contribution.
Furthermore, with the administrative support of Mayor Cllr. Cebisa Mazuza of the Port St. John’s Municipality, HWPL’s “Peace Education Curriculum” has been introduced. This program is designed to provide learners in conflict-affected communities with practical tools for conflict resolution and the development of empathy.
Deputy Minister Mhlauli emphasized the importance of sustained partnership, stating, “Change and progress is not an event but a journey. By working together, we can definitely do more.”
In alignment with this vision, a representative from the HWPL South Africa Branch remarked, “Based on active administrative support and policy backing from the government, we will strengthen our public-private cooperation to ensure that the modernization of education and the establishment of peace in the Majola region are implemented effectively.”
