Skills drive targets South Africa’s unemployed youth
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — ICT services firm Gijima, private hospital group Lenmed, and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation are collaborating to roll out a computer skills program for South Africa’s unemployed youth.
This partnership aims to empower youth and staff from Lenmed’s hospitals in the province of Gauteng, emphasizing the importance of narrowing the digital divide and promoting an inclusive tech-savvy community.
Targeting youth from areas like Lenasia and Soweto, the initiative also extends to Lenmed Health Group’s semi-skilled workers, providing them with computer and digital skills.
“We are excited to have collaborated with Gijima and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation in providing computer lessons to those who lack the skill and necessary resources,” said Lenmed CEO Amil Devchand.
Devchand added that they want to create a “more inclusive society” through this partnership “where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive in an increasingly digital world.”
Meanwhile, Gijima Head of Transformation Elisa Makwa said that this program would have a long-lasting positive impact that could be passed to many other individuals in the country.
At the same time, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Board Member Prema Naidoo said that this initiative will help sharpen the digital skills of South Africa’s youth and enable them to compete in the job market.
About 50 participants graduated with basic computer and digital communication proficiency in the program’s prior iteration at Lenmed Nursing College. The non-profit Umbuso Digital Technology Organisation facilitated the training sessions.
