Severe skills shortage threatens South Africa’s ICT growth: expert
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA — South Africa’s ICT sector is facing a persistent skills shortage, particularly in software development, which threatens innovation and economic growth.
Cinga Nyangintsimbi, managing director of Batsamayi Software Development and the 2024 IT Personality of the Year, highlighted this issue during an interview with ITWeb TV.
“The skills gap, particularly in software development, is still quite severe,” said Nyangintsimbi.
He noted that South Africa has only 121,000 software engineers compared to a global pool of 26.8 million. Despite a reported 26% year-on-year decline in IT hiring demand in early 2024, the underlying shortage of skilled professionals persists, creating a “complex dynamic” between supply and demand.
Policy gaps and government challenges
Nyangintsimbi pointed out that outdated policies and a lack of understanding of emerging technologies among government leaders hinder ICT growth.
“For instance, when we have a solution that we present to our government leaders, we often observe their lack of deep understanding of technology,” he said.
This disconnect often delays the adoption and regulation of innovative technologies critical for the sector’s advancement.
A national skills crisis
The challenges facing South Africa’s ICT sector are part of a broader national issue. The Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) has highlighted “skills recycling” as a major concern, where companies rehire from the same limited talent pool rather than investing in new talent development.
This practice exacerbates competition for skilled workers and drives up salaries, making it difficult for smaller firms to retain talent.
Additionally, youth unemployment remains alarmingly high at over 50%, further complicating efforts to close the skills gap. Experts argue that aligning educational curricula with industry needs and expanding access to practical training are critical steps toward resolving this crisis.
Upskilling youth to address the crisis
Batsamayi Software Development has adopted a proactive approach to tackle the skills gap by focusing on youth upskilling. The company offers certification programs and hands-on experience to novice engineers, helping them develop practical skills.
Since its inception as a university project in 2013, Batsamayi has grown from six employees to 70, many of whom are Amazon Web Services certified.
“Focusing on building the skill ensures we are focused on delivering our services on par with the best companies in the world,” explained Nyangintsimbi. This strategy has enabled Batsamayi to secure 20 clients, including major global firms.
Future outlook: Collaboration is key
Looking ahead, Nyangintsimbi emphasizes collaboration between government and private sectors to address these challenges effectively. Batsamayi plans to continue investing in youth empowerment through mentorship programs and community outreach initiatives.
“In a world where experience is favored, we’ve opted to focus on building a team of talented young people who will grow their experience with us over time,” he concluded.
For South Africa’s ICT sector to thrive, addressing its skills shortage will require coordinated efforts across education, policy-making, and industry investment.
