Leading global IT vendor, Acer, has joined forces with top SA soccer club, Kaizer Chiefs to make technology available to supporters branches around the country while simultaneously promoting entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency.

Kaizer Chiefs is the first and only sports body in South Africa to begin the journey across the Digital Divide. This initiative will establish online communications within the Kaizer Chiefs community around the country, with an intranet connecting the local branches.

Kaizer Motaung, Amakhosi managing director says, "There is a great need for computer literacy in this country, and through the Chiefs branches we have an ideal base from which to access the community. This is our way of giving something back to the supporters that have supported our team so loyally over the years. And we’re pleased to be involved with Acer in making this project a reality."

Acer equipment, including workstations, servers, storage and networking solutions will ensure each Cyber Centre is equipped with state of the art equipment. Acer will also be providing training to staff of the Cyber Centres so that the equipment can be managed and utilised to its full potential.

"After 25 years of innovation, Acer is committed to more than just technology," said Peter Ibbotson, executive chairman for Acer Africa.

"Acer is committed to the community - a global brand with a local touch. Our partnership with Kaizer Chiefs allows Acer to demonstrate the contribution that we can make to our communities through innovation and technology.

"We are confident that this project will contribute not only to levelling the playing fields around Southern Africa, but will also provide a green, fertile foundation on which to build a better future."

The Amakhosi boast 13,1-million supporters and 220 active supporter branches throughout Southern Africa. Acer is to provide the latest computer equipment, to establish Chiefs Cyber Centres for supporters branches over the next three years.

"We’re not just supplying IT equipment and walking away," said Stella Helwick marketing and communications manager at Acer. "We have lined up a host of top organisations in the IT and training arenas to provide appropriate software and training for the Cyber Centres."

This project is also expected to provide a base for online micro-e-businesses. "We anticipate a variety of micro businesses springing up around the Centre as individuals with basic IT literacy skills sell their services to other members of the community," she explained.

The first learning centre will be established in Johannesburg, with the rest of the clubs to follow. The centres will be equipped with a powerful AcerAltos server, networked to eight Veriton 3200 and two multimedia Veriton 9100s.

About the Acer Group

Established in 1976, Acer is among the world’s top ten PC vendors, offering a broad range of PC products from industry﷓leading high﷓end PC servers and multimedia desktop computers to notebooks, computer peripherals and components. Acer is also a major Internet-enabler, providing Internet component technologies, devices and services.

These include end-to-end solutions, mobile phones, plasma displays, TFT LCDs, projectors, wireless communications, and e﷓corp solutions.

The Acer Group employs nearly 35,000 people in 232 enterprises spanning 41 countries worldwide, supporting dealers and distributors in over 100 nations. Acer Group revenues were US$9.9 billion in 2000.

For more information about the Acer Group, please visit our website at www.acer.com.