The official opening of Guga Sthebe in Cape Town's Langa township underlines that townships in South Africa like Langa are becoming real suburbs.

It was a great, vibrant day. And an emotional one. On September 20 in Langa, at o Guga Sthebe, drums and marimba's were playing, while dancers welcomed people from all around Cape Town, and most important, from Langa township itself.

On that day Langa, one of the oldest 'townships' of Cape Town opened a new R500 000 online business centre that promises 'e-development' in this underprivileged area. The Business Centre has its home in Guga Sthebe Arts & Culture Centre.

Guga Sthebe Arts and Culture Centre runs successful programmes in music, dance, drama, visual art and photography, along with cultural clothing projects.

The centre enables Thandiwe Peter from Ma Neo's B&B in Langa for instance to receive her enquiries for her Township B&B at Guga Sthebe (read article on Ma Neo Township Stay in Langa). Students can access internet more easily, and small businesses can much easier develop.

A total 20 computers will be available to community members at R10/hour. The centre will be open eight hours a day, six days a week. A dedicated manager will oversee operations and provide first-line user support.

Other services on offer will include:

• Accounting services for small businesses

• Secretarial and typing services

• Business support services

• Information searches using the Internet to assist pupils and businesses with research.

• Provide information about government and other tenders to the local business community.

Nirvesh Sooful, the City's Director Information Systems and Technology said: "The Digital Business Centre will also be equipped with a fax, photocopy machine, scanner, document binder and digital projector.

Guga S'thebe in Langa is an ideal location for the computer centre which will provide the local community with communications, learning, skills development and business support opportunities. We're extremely excited at the possibilities this online world will open up for the residents of Langa".

Molo says: "More on townships in Cape Town and township tours to Guguletu , Khayelitsha or Langa can be found in our Things to do in the Cape Town Townships section or the Things to do in the townships at night."

"I highly recommend sleeping a night in one of the Cape Town township Bed & Breakfasts such as Ma Neo in Langa Township in Langa or Vicky's Towhship B&B and Kopanong Bed & Breakfast in Khayelitsha township."