Question NW2599 to the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

Reply:

There are a number of initiatives that the DCDT, working with its State-Owned Companies and the private sector, are rolling out to ensure more black youth enter the technology industry.

The following projects are being implemented to aggressively provide opportunities for Black youth in the ICT subsectors:

1. The SA Connect programme, whose primary aim is to expand digital infrastructure through broadband network deployment, intends to empower SMMEs and create jobs;
2. To support the digital economy and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, the DCDT aims to train 90 000 beneficiaries on cellphone repairs, software development, cloud technologies, Web/App development and podcasting, amongst others. These areas are prioritised as they have the potential to increase the employability of young people and empower them to create cooperatives so as to provide services in their local areas;
3. The Youth Internet Service Provider Project has a long-term goal of having more young people and youth-owned SMMEs being fully-fledged Internet Service Providers. Young people are trained as domain name resellers and, later, are upgraded to become domain name registrars. The project trains 50 young people per province;
4. The department is involved in the Digitization of Youth Enterprises, which is a pilot project with 30 enterprises, focusing on the impact and requirements for digitization by youth enterprises to fully participate in e-commerce. It also seeks to maximize their digital online presence;
5. A pilot project to create The Digital Media and Film Indaba is presently being finalised by the DCDT. It has targeted over 300 young people from rural areas. Umsinga was identified as one of the areas that has seen several popular short films and telenovelas (e.g., Isibaya) being shot in different sites;
6. The DCDT has, through NEMISA, integrated Digital Entrepreneurship training in some of its programmes to enable young people to start their own businesses. In the Creative/Audio Visual Industry, the following programmes are being implemented in the current financial year:

1. 2D Animation Bootcamp: Digital Literacy, and Design Foundation (SABC Campus: Gauteng)
2. Graphic Design Bootcamp: Digital Literacy, and Design Foundation (SABC Campus: Gauteng)
3. Interactive Media Bootcamp: Digital Literacy, and Design Foundation (SABC Campus: Gauteng)
4. Drawing Workshop Eastern Cape: Non-accredited workshop (Cortex Hub: Eastern Cape)
5. Radio Project: Radio Production (SABC Campus: Gauteng)
6. Film Project: Film and Television Production (SABC Campus: Gauteng)
7. Radio Project: Radio Production (Mpumalanga: Nelspruit)
8. Radio Project: Radio Production (NWU Free State & Northern Cape)

1. And, finally, the DCDT, in collaboration with SITA, developed a South African digital marketplace portal referred to as DigiTech. The purpose of the DigiTech Programme is to collate data about digital products developed locally with the aim of supporting the products’ technology enablement, promoting, and expanding their market reach. The DCDT is forging partnerships with global and local ICT companies who have existing sponsorship and mentorship programmes to support DigiTech SMMEs. The industry companies will also support the DigiTech SMMEs with technical vetting and categorisation of their digital products and SMME Development Support (access to funding, markets and skills development).

Thank You.