TCS plans to expand presence in South Africa

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) plans to expand its presence in South Africa, according to draft prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) recently.

TCS is currently working with the South African government, in its adult literacy programme, by providing a software that helps illiterates.

TCS' computer-based functional literacy programme, which has so far helped over 20,000 illiterate adults in India read and write across 1,100 literacy centres, is now being adapted to suit South African dialects.

The TCS adult literacy programme is founded on the principle of phonetics and recognition of words rather than alphabets.

By using the TCS programme, a completely illiterate adult can learn to read at least 70 per cent of a newspaper in 7-8 weeks time. TCS has been working with local linguists and NGOs for a few months now.