As part of its social responsibility programme, Software Futures has sponsored the Bridging the Gap Education Foundation (BTGEF) by donating R50 000 towards the purchase of a new car, as well as supporting the fund in additional areas.
Humbulani Mulibana, MD of BTGEF, says the foundation was founded to assist black students in making the right choices throughout the education process. "Many black students have no idea of what subjects they should be taking at school in order to pursue the tertiary education path they desire."
Mulibana adds that often students apply for a degree, but find they do not have the prerequisites the course requires. They are then directed to another course and end up obtaining a degree they do not want, or they lose their motivation and drop out.
"BTGEF was launched to provide mentorship to students," adds Mulibana. "From giving advice and guidance about what school subjects are required for particular degrees, to mentoring and encouraging them into and through their university careers."
"Software Futures understands that unequal and differentiated education was the pillar that sustained apartheid for so long and that this has spawned a legacy that needs more than a normal effort to fix," says Derek Hughes, MD of Software Futures. "With this in mind we applaud the efforts of Bridging the Gap and want to do our part to help them achieve their objectives."
Hughes adds that the IT sector in SA is battling with its transformation process, partly due to the low numbers of graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds. Software Futures recognises the critical need to assist and guide young people in their career choices and to encourage them to pursue careers in IT. "With these objectives in mind, we have pledged financial and other support to the foundation with immediate effect," concludes Hughes.
While the mentorship programme is critical to skills upliftment and capacity building in SA, the BTGEF is also concerned with business skills and getting people into jobs. "We have therefore extended the scope of the foundation to lobby for corporate support for internship programmes," Mulibana continues.
Through these internships, Mulibana hopes to give students a taste of corporate life, expand their vision in terms of what careers are available and, most importantly, create the opportunity for possible fulltime employment once the company has seen their capabilities.
Software Futures' sponsorship embraces the purchase of the car and its future maintenance, keeping it running and insured, and supporting the company with the design of its logo and other marketing collateral and initiatives. In addition, Software Futures people have volunteered to assist the foundation in its activities by visiting schools and universities and counselling students. Software Futures has joined companies such as BMW and NBC in supporting BTGEF.
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