Latest news with #digitalskills
The Herald
6 days ago
- General
- The Herald
'Now I can do it myself': Gogos learn to use smartphones in 'Gogos with Vuma' digital skills training programme
In a step towards digital inclusion, 49 elderly residents from Katlehong graduated on Friday from a digital skills training programme aimed at empowering senior citizens with essential tech knowledge. Hosted by VumaTel in partnership with goGOGOgo (NPC) at Matsediso Primary School in Katlehong on the East Rand, the programme equipped the participants, many of whom had little or no prior experience with technology, with vital digital skills. It covered fundamental skills such as using smartphones, navigating the internet, sending emails, using social media, accessing online services and practising digital safety. One of the graduates, Phinet Lekau, 88, speaking at the graduation ceremony, said he was grateful to have been part of the course as he now knew how to use the internet, order supplies from shops and speak to his friends with ease. 'I knew nothing about the internet before this course. My grandchildren would simply call me holding the phone, telling me what to do. But this course has opened my eyes. I can now do all of those things on my own,' said Lekau. Agnes Letsoge, 82, said she can now use her smartphone. 'I am very happy to have been part of this programme, because the phone was being used by my grandchildren and they would constantly finish my money and airtime. Since I've been taught how to use it by myself, I can finally enjoy my pension money,' Letsoge said. Before doing the course she couldn't even load airtime, she said. 'Now I can do it myself, they can no longer rob me,' she said. Vumatel CSI co-ordinator Thando Mokoena said with most NGOs focusing on the youth and children, they identified a gap for training for the elderly. 'We know that almost 40% of children in South Africa are living with grandparents. We want to revive that thing that they are still here, we still care and we see that they matter. The course we put them through is a standard ICT course, learning how to browse the internet, and how to use a smartphone, as most of them used or knew how to use small phones,' Mokoena said. The programme, which was part of Vumatel's ongoing commitment to community upliftment and digital inclusion, also fostered intergenerational learning, with younger facilitators helping to mentor the elderly participants throughout their training. Jane Simmonds, founder and executive director for goGOGOgo (NPC), an NGO aimed at building capacity in elderly people raising grandchildren, Simmonds explained that with 9.7-million children in South Africa essentially living in multigenerational households with grandparents playing an important part in their upbringing, the organisation is working to strengthen the role of the older people to build their footprint and amplify their voices. This is to ultimately give them knowledge, information and modern-day practices to navigate raising children in the digital age. 'Many of these older people are also raising fourth generation, so they raise their children, their grandchildren and are now looking after their great-grandchildren. We are working at strengthening the role of these women and men, building their footprint, their voice, amplifying their voices, giving the knowledge, information about modern-day practices. When raising children with internet and wi-fi, social media, violence, GBV, so many things that these elderly people have to address when raising children. We provide programmes where we strengthen the role of grandparents raising grandchildren and recognise the importance of this vulnerable, marginalised, often excluded population of people who are the heroes of South Africa,' she said. Simmonds said the initiative, which started during the Covid-19 lockdown, has funded more than 10 programmes with about 400 beneficiaries. She said the grandparents are identified through local schools and organisations. TimesLIVE
Zawya
09-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Du and Huawei renew partnership to accelerate Emiratisation and digital talent development in UAE
Dubai, UAE: du, the leading telecom and digital services provider, has renewed its strategic partnership with Huawei to enhance Emiratisation by empowering UAE talent with advanced technological skills. Together, the two industry leaders aim to foster innovation and readiness in the digital and telecommunications space, building toward a sustainable future and further solidifying du's position as a leading telecom and digital service provider. Building on a historical partnership grounded in ICT technologies and network development, du and Huawei will focus on equipping du employees, including emerging leaders, with critical competencies in cutting-edge technologies. Training and workshops will target future-forward areas such as AI, data analytics, 5G, and cloud solutions, ensuring alignment with du's digital transformation goals. Fahad Al Hassawi, Chief Executive Officer at du said: 'Huawei and du share a commitment to supporting the UAE's national Emiratisation strategy, and we are proud to build on this long-standing relationship. Through this renewed partnership, we will nurture a competitive and future-ready talent pipeline empowered by world-class digital skills while continuously driving technological excellence within our company and across the region.' As part of this renewed collaboration, du and Huawei will implement activities under the scope of the Joint Annual Training Plan (ATP), including Specialist Programs, Executive Leadership Programs, and emerging ICT knowledge-sharing webinars. Programs like these will be instrumental in enhancing skills across all employee levels, fostering innovation and creating agile responses to increasingly complex challenges. David Tao, Chief Executive Officer at Huawei UAE said: 'We are honoured to work closely with du to promote Emiratisation and help shape the future of digital innovation in the UAE. Through tailored training programs and skills development workshops, our partnership will empower du employees to master cutting-edge technologies in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, and beyond, contributing to the UAE's advanced-tech ecosystem.' Since 2021, key initiatives such as the Huawei Internship Development Program have provided graduate trainees with foundational knowledge in transformative technologies like 5G and Cloud. In line with the strategic ICT Talent Development Programs initiated in 2022, the renewed partnership reflects a shared vision to attract, retain, and grow UAE talent—all essential components of du's Emiratisation goals, digital transformation efforts, and overall growth trajectory. Looking ahead, du and Huawei reaffirm their commitment to cultivating technological expertise necessary for shaping the telecom services of the future—while advancing the UAE's vision of becoming a globally competitive hub for innovation. About du du adds life to life with a comprehensive portfolio of mobile, fixed, broadband, entertainment services, and fintech solutions. Through a digital-first approach powered by ultra-reliable fiber and 5G technology, du delivers bespoke solutions leveraging cloud computing, AI-driven analytics, advanced cybersecurity, and IoT integration. As a trusted digital telco enabler spearheading the UAE's digital transformation, we collaborate with a dynamic partner ecosystem to propel industries and society toward operational excellence, shaping a more connected and digitally advanced future across the region.
Japan Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Japan launches group to help more women become digital experts
Japan has kicked off a consortium comprising the national and local governments and private-sector companies with an aim to foster female digital experts. The public-private consortium — set up Monday and led by Wakako Yata, former special adviser to the prime minister — will work to help women acquire digital skills to raise their wages, among other actions. It also hopes to contribute to promoting regional revitalization. "We want to boost productivity at small businesses in regional areas by leveraging digital technologies and unlock women's potential — an underutilized human resource," Yata said at an event held in Tokyo the same day to mark the launch of the consortium. "Through efforts across government agencies and ministries and in cooperation with the private sector, we hope to create regional communities where women can play active roles," she added. Yata also seemed positive about the idea of working with 68 local governments that are members of the central government's council on promoting workstyle and workplace reforms in regional areas. Digital transformation minister Masaaki Taira said at the event that the Digital Agency is ready to offer support to "realize a society where women can really thrive."
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa's Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme celebrates 20 graduates and crowns the winner of its tech start-up pitchathon
Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid) ( a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage, has announced that twenty young entrepreneurs have graduated from its Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme. The year-long programme, currently running in the Eastern Cape and North West Province, aims to address youth unemployment through advanced digital skills development and entrepreneurial support. The graduates received their certificates of completion at Liquid's head office in Johannesburg on 25 June. The event culminated in four technology start-ups pitching their businesses to a panel of industry judges. ProLink ( a digital platform for connecting users with verified contractors in Mthatha, emerged as the winning start-up, securing R100,000 in seed funding and a 12-month business support package. 'This programme proves the impact of investing intentionally in South Africa's youth. By equipping young people with future-fit skills and entrepreneurial capabilities, Cassava Technologies is proud to support grassroots innovation that addresses real-world challenges. For us, it's about empowering the country's youth, not only to participate in the digital future, but actively shape it. Well done to all the graduates and the pitching start-ups, and congratulations to ProLink,' said Ziaad Suleman, CEO of Cassava Technologies in South Africa and Botswana. The programme has already begun delivering tangible results. ProLink has created two new employment opportunities, and Okuhle Badli, COO of Otomex Innovations and founder of Nhanha Technologies, has been appointed Co-Chair for AI, Digital Innovation, Education, and Future of Work for Y20 South Africa 2025, the official youth engagement group of the G20. 'This graduation and pitchathon represent the unlocking of potential and the enabling of a generation of digital entrepreneurs. These young innovators are building solutions that have the potential to scale nationally and across the continent. Along with our implementation partner Deviare, Liquid South Africa is proud to provide the resources to enable this,' said Valencia Risaba, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa. The other start-ups pitching their businesses were Otomex Innovations, which leverages AI to support mental health and well-being; The Eye of Tech, which expands access to digital skills in rural areas; and HerdTrace, a female-led agritech solution transforming livestock management. Participants received MICTSETA-accredited training in artificial intelligence and software development, along with comprehensive pre-incubation support designed to translate innovative ideas into commercially viable enterprises. All the start-ups secured Azure credits via the Microsoft Founders Hub. Initiatives like the Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme underscore Liquid South Africa's unwavering commitment to equipping young people with the technical and business skills necessary to thrive in the digital future. As South Africa celebrates Youth Month, it also represents a firm commitment to ensure that the country's youth can contribute meaningfully to the empowerment of themselves and their communities. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Liquid Intelligent Technologies. About Liquid Intelligent Technologies: Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a business of Cassava Technologies (Cassava), a technology company of African heritage with operations in 40-plus markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, where the Cassava group companies operate. Liquid has firmly established itself as the leading provider of pan-African digital infrastructure with a 110,000 km-long fibre broadband network and satellite connectivity that provides high-speed access to the Internet anywhere in Africa. Liquid is also leveraging its digital network to provide Cloud and Cyber Security solutions through strategic partnerships with leading global players. Liquid is a comprehensive technology solutions group that provides customised digital solutions to public and private sector enterprises and SMEs across the continent. For more information, visit
Zawya
23-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
General Assembly Bahrain and Advantari unite to strengthen digital expertise in the kingdom
Manama, Bahrain — General Assembly (GA) Bahrain and Advantari Digital Solutions have formalized a partnership aimed at enhancing digital skills and bridging the gap between education and industry demands in Bahrain. Advantari, a Bahrain-based consultancy specializing in digital transformation and cybersecurity, has rapidly established itself as a trusted advisor for organizations navigating the complexities of the digital age. With services ranging from CTO and CISO as a Service to mobile and web application development, Advantari focuses on delivering tailored solutions that drive business advantage while safeguarding against cyber threats. Through this collaboration, Advantari will gain access to GA Bahrain's pool of graduates who have completed intensive programs in software engineering, data analytics, and UX design. This initiative aims to provide Advantari with skilled professionals ready to contribute to ongoing projects, while offering GA graduates real-world experience in a dynamic consultancy environment. The partnership also encompasses joint efforts in organizing events such as career fairs, panel discussions, and workshops. Advantari's involvement will provide students with insights into current industry practices, while also allowing the company to engage with emerging talent and innovative ideas. By aligning industry insight with skills development, the collaboration sets a new precedent for how companies in Bahrain can contribute to building future-ready talent. Both organizations share a belief that investing in people is the most powerful way to drive innovation, growth, and long-term impact across the Kingdom's tech ecosystem. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to fostering a robust digital ecosystem in Bahrain, where education and industry work hand in hand to prepare the workforce for the demands of the digital economy. About General Assembly: General Assembly Bahrain plays a crucial role in enhancing the tech skills of Bahrainis. Offering courses in software engineering, UX design, and data analytics, General Assembly Bahrain aligns its curriculum with market trends. Notably, General Assembly Bahrain has achieved a significant positive outcomes rate for its graduates, including employment, freelancing and entrepreneurial opportunities, underscoring its commitment to bridging the digital skills gap in the Kingdom. About Advantari : Advantari is a Bahrain-based company on the mission to enable its clients with business 'advantage' through Digital Transformation while protecting them from Cyber Security threats.
