Host: Xolani Moloi

Country: South Africa

Closing the Digital Gap for Pensioners: The Cyber Zone Project at La Lucia Library, South Africa

Xolani opened the doors of La Lucia Library in South Africa to elderly pensioners, providing them with access to digital literacy skills and helping bridge the gap in digital inclusion through the Library Internet Governance Ambassadors Program.

As part of the program completion requirement on the Library Internet Governance Ambassadors Program by Library Aid Africa Xolani Moloi implemented his project, "Cyber Zone Computer Training” at La Lucia Library in the ethekwini Municipality, specifically designed for elderly pensioners.

In September, he welcomed a group of about 20 pensioners for a vintage-themed training session to explore the digital world. With the support of his colleagues, Xolani guided participants through practical lessons on using the internet safely, navigating computers, and accessing digital resources available at the library. Many of the pensioners, some with little or no prior computer experience, learned to operate a computer, use the keyboard and mouse, search the internet, create email accounts, and perform basic word processing tasks.

According to Xolani, implementing the project challenged him to adapt his teaching style to different learning backgrounds and paces. It also strengthened his facilitation, communication, and project management skills, as he coordinated schedules and prepared materials to ensure the library’s cyber zone was fully accessible and functional.

Through his Cyber Zone Computer Training for elderly pensioners, he has demonstrated that libraries remain powerful spaces for inclusion, learning, and transformation for all age ranges.