The South African youth don’t have much to celebrate as a high unemployment rate, poverty and inequality still plague the nation. It is believed that technology could play a crucial role in combating these issues that plague the country.
The Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) in Soshanguve is looking to attract young people in South Africa to the IT sector.
The South African Mobile Devices Distributors and Repairers Association (SAMDDRA) is entering into partnerships with higher education institutions to offer young people the space and opportunity of gaining skills in their sector.
SANDRA Managing Director, Mark Mpasa says training opportunities for youth in the sector are often out of reach due to the expensive nature of cell phones and mobile computing devices.
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He explained that partnerships with higher education institutions that can host students could unlock the untapped economic potential for growth in the country’s townships. This as the youth would be in a space to gain critical skills, enabling them to create opportunities for themselves and grow the township economy.
Mpasa said, “If you look at how everyone has a cell phone and everyone goes to repair cell phones and the people that are renting (Cellphone repairmen) in the malls they are ready or able to pay R20 000 per month on rent, that is the money we want to transfer and keep in the township”.
He adds that if this earning capability is delivered to townships, it could generate billions for the local economy.
The Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation has proposed skills development as a key strategy in improving the lives of South African youth.
Earlier this year, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande urged Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA’s) to give priority to the work placement of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college graduates who require workplace exposure.
He further called on young people to look out for these opportunities offered by SETAs and other skills development agencies.
Technology is the Future.
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