HOW THE DIGITECH PROGRAMME IS EMPOWERING YOUTH AND SMMES
The recent Youth Empowerment Career Exhibition, held on 26 June 2026 in Klerksdorp, served as a powerful platform for the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) to showcase the transformative potential of its DigiTech programme. Under the theme “Empowering 1000 young people into careers/jobs through ICT,” the event highlighted how the government is actively working to integrate unemployed youth into the digital value chain.
EMPOWERING THE PUBLIC THROUGH DIGITAL INCLUSION
A primary goal of the DigiTech initiative is to provide structured access to digital exposure and career pathways for local communities.
· Exposing unemployed youth to the mechanisms of the modern digital economy.
· Providing tangible career roadmaps within the ICT sector.
· Ensuring local government remains a vehicle for digital transformation at the district level.
A CATALYST FOR SMME GROWTH AND INNOVATION
The exhibition featured a high-impact showcase of selected DigiTech SMMEs, proving that the ICT sector is a viable path for both employment and independent entrepreneurship. This segment of the programme offers critical assistance to small businesses by providing them with a platform to demonstrate localized application development and robotics innovations.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SMME ASSISTANCE INCLUDED:
· Visibility and Branding: The strategic use of high-visibility DigiTech branding captured the attention of over 70% of attendees, leading to a significant surge in inquiries regarding DCDT assistance for small businesses.
· Real-World Success Stories: Featured entrepreneurs like Tsholofelo Ramokoka (Address Dox), Bongani Mashaba (Lusiko), and Evans Parsons (Optimas Robotics) served as practical examples of how DigiTech supports ICT innovation.
