Microsoft South Africa has launched Ikamva Digital, a digital learning platform designed to enhance young people’s technology skills.
Developed in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the project aims to address the need for accessible, industry-aligned digital training across South Africa’s 50 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
The program includes learning tracks in cybersecurity, data analytics, software development, cloud computing, and multimedia design.
Through the cybersecurity course, participants will be prepared for roles such as security analyst and IT administrator. The data analytics course will equip learners with data storytelling, business intelligence, and statistical analysis skills, paving the way for careers as data analysts and business intelligence specialists.
The software development program will offer hands-on coding and programming training, while the cloud computing module will focus on cloud architecture, DevOps, and system administration skills.
Meanwhile, the content development and multimedia design track will emphasize creative digital skills such as UX/UI design and e-learning content creation—opening new career paths in education, communication, and design.
Students will also have the opportunity to earn free certification vouchers upon completion of the program.
The initiative is further supported by a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Higher Education and Training, demonstrating the government’s commitment to digital transformation in education.
It is expected that this project will contribute to addressing unemployment challenges in South Africa and accelerate the integration of youth into the digital economy.