/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

170 young people graduated at the University of Johannesburg on 22 September 2023, trained by the Gauteng Department of e-Government in collaboration with the University of Johannesburg. 

These young people were enrolled with the department’s ICT and SMME training program which took place over a year, developed to empower the youth with essential ICT skills in the digital era. The program focused on Incubating digital start-ups by training and mentoring digital entrepreneurs who own Small and Medium Enterprises as well as developing ICT skills for unemployed youth (ages 14 to 35) through training and mentoring them. 

The department’s Deputy Director General (DDG) of Information, Communication, and Technology & Support Services (ICTSS) Castro Mosina stated that under the program, 103 graduates completed the Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMME) Development Program, which aims at furthering their skills and capabilities within the entrepreneurial landscape. On the other hand, 67 graduates completed the ICT Skills Development Fourth Industrial Training that aims at equipping the youth with 4IR skills. 

“The department continues to train and up-skill Gauteng youth who own small businesses as well as expose them to the ICT sector. The program was extended to the townships of Gauteng across all the 5 regions namely Westrand, Sedibeng, Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, and Tshwane in order to equally distribute the opportunity and ensure that there is fairness. It is part of the department’s mandate to fight against unemployment” said Mosina.

Submitted by the Gauteng Provincial Government