Cape Town – Two household names in the South African tech space have partnered to offer free digital training courses to youth to bridge the digital gap.
Vodacom and Microsoft South Africa are collaborating to offer digital training courses on the Mzansi Digital Learning platform in an attempt to address South Africa’s high youth employment rate, which currently stands at 44%.The partnership emphasises digital inclusion, providing access to opportunities in the digital economy and proficiency in areas like artificial intelligence.
Mathys Venter, managing executive for prepaid and loyalty at Vodacom, said: “Collaborating with a like-minded brand who share our values and ambition is testament to our collective commitment to address unemployment and empower individuals through innovative digital training.”
Africa Business Communities reports that the Mzansi Digital Learning platform will be hosted on Vodacom’s NXT LVL platform and integrated into its ConnectU service, a zero-rated platform offering free access to content without mobile data charges.
The national technology officer at Microsoft South Africa, Asif Valley, stresses the importance of equipping young people with the skills necessary for the contemporary job market. “We are fully committed to supporting and enabling our youth as we collectively work towards closing the skills gap and empowering every person to achieve more in this era of digital transformation. It is increasingly about ensuring young people are equipped with the skills they need for the jobs that exist today and, in the future.”
Microsoft South Africa also collaborates with youth empowerment NGO Afrika Tikkun to boost youth employability and entrepreneurship. The goal is to reach 300 000 people with the digital learning platform, empowering them with essential skills for the digital market and future job opportunities.
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Compiled by Samantha Mochele
