SAS holds third annual charity sailing challenge in support of Khanya Project

Johannesburg, South Africa  (16 Nov. 2007)  –  SAS Institute will hold its third Annual Charity Sailing Challenge on 2 February 2008, in support of the Khanya Technology in Education Initiative.

This ever-popular event is open to sailors and non-sailors of all levels of experience, and gives corporates the opportunity to support a worthy cause and have a day of fun sailing with an experienced skipper.

Once again, the Sailing Challenge will be hosted at the Royal Cape Yacht Club, and all proceeds will be donated to the Khanya project.

The Khanya project was started in 2001 to address the shortage of educators in schools in the Western Cape, by improving educator capacity and learner outcomes using technology. The project has received a number of accolades and has put all money raised in past Sailing Challenges to excellent use in schools in the province.

Says Karima Cowan, SAS BEE Manager: "Khanya has an ambitious goal. This aim is to help bridge the digital divide and empower every educator in every school in the Western Cape to be able to use technology to teach and deliver curriculum to learners by 2012. We are proud to be able to help out with this highly commendable and worthwhile project."

To date, Khanya has achieved the following:

• 765 schools have been provided with technology facilities, and helped to use these technologies;
• A further 219 schools are in the process of preparation for the next stages of implementation;
• A total of 30 463 PCs have been deployed in Khanya schools;
• Of these, 18 328 have been funded by Khanya or its donors;
• 18 762 have been empowered to use and teach using this technology; and
• 629 813 learners are benefiting from using the technology on a daily basis.

Cowan adds: "Khanya is a remarkable initiative that has had a very positive impact on communities within the Western Cape. SAS' Corporate Social Investment strategy supports the delivery of sustainable projects within communities, and will continue to support the Khanya project."

SAS is calling on all skippers or would-be sailors to take part in next year's challenge. Please contact Jenny Meyer on (011) 713 3465 or e-mail marketing@zaf.sas.com to enter or for more information.

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