In commemoration of Nelson Mandela Day yesterday, a senior tech executive has urged corporate SA to invest in sustainable projects beyond offering handouts.
Tshepo Mokoena, chairman of In2IT Technologies, says this year’s Mandela Day celebrations came on the back of the devastating effects COVID-19, which accelerated the adoption of the digital economy. This has resulted in an urgent need to support projects that will enable many to participate in the new economy.
Nelson Mandela International Day is held in honour of the former president, and is celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela's birthday. The day calls on all to dedicate at least 67 minutes in service of those less fortunate or doing good acts in the community.
To celebrate the day, Mokoena and his team partnered with the Mkhabela Foundation to spend time with 30 grade seven and eight learners from Orange Farm, introducing them to technology careers that are in demand.
“Our morning was devoted to introducing the technological career path. Our aim is to introduce the world of technology to our youth, and bridge the technical divide. Digital skills are no longer optional. They are the lifeblood of the digital economy, which is the reason we are marking this Mandela Day by empowering young people with skills for the future,” says Mokoena.
In the last two years, he says, In2IT, a tech multinational, on-boarded 300 young graduates through its skills programme, with courses ranging from three months to 12 months duration.
“Many youth went through a rigorous process of world-class certification, including 40 who received Cisco certification, while 30 were issued with Huawei certification. By the end of 2023, we aim to add another 200 young graduates to the skills programme.
“We implore others to support such initiatives in our effort to celebrate Mandela Day. We hope our effort to empower our youth will be taken and appreciated by our peers.”
Yesterday, several companies operating in the ICT sector organised various projects that went beyond food hampers and gifts.
Vodacom embarked on a ‘Greening Project’ at early childhood development centres (ECDCs) in SA’s vulnerable communities.
“Through the project, we install clean energy and water-saving solutions to help ECDCs maintain vegetable gardens we plant. The planet is protected, children get the nutrition needed to learn, and sustainable farming skills are transferred to the community via teachers and parents,” says Shameel Joosub, Vodacom Group CEO.
“This July, Vodacom staff are donating time to green many more ECDCs, uplifting and empowering communities, in keeping with the spirit of #MandelaDay.”
Cell C worked on renovations at the Orange Farm Children’s Home, and donated beds, chairs and groceries, as well as 20 tablets and two routers to connect the charity organisation to the digital world.
Other tech firms, including those listed on the local bourse, participated in the #67MinutesOfMentorship, which focused its attention on mentorship, in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
“We have chosen this calibre of mentors because of their role as leaders of the economy in the country and are of the view that, at this moment when we, as a country, are having so many dislocations, there are no better leaders to demonstrate investment into future leaders and guide our mentees on this prestigious day,” say the organisers .
Share