Dr Iqbal Survé Calls for Digital-Driven Youth Employment at Future of Jobs Summit
Speaking alongside civic and business leaders, including Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, FNB South Africa's Head of Marketing Katlego Mahloane, and Gauteng Legislature's Dulton Keith Adams, Dr Survé used the platform to spotlight the role of technology and media in combating South Africa's youth unemployment crisis.
Receiving a warm welcome from delegates, Dr Survé veered off-script at moments to share anecdotes from his journey — from a young medical doctor to leading a multi-billion-rand conglomerate with over 8 000 employees. Half of them, he proudly noted, are black African youth under 35.
'Sekunjalo doesn't just talk about youth empowerment — we live it, breathe it, and invest in it daily,' he told the audience.
'This is why today's conversation isn't theoretical for us. It's practical. It's urgent.'Dr Survé highlighted Sekunjalo's investments across energy, media, ICT, e-commerce, and telecommunications, and drew attention to the group's philanthropic work supporting youth entrepreneurship and education through Survé Philanthropies.
Focusing on the summit's core theme — jobs for the future — Survé zeroed in on digital transformation.
He shared the inspiring story of Thato Joseph Mashifane, a young man from Dennilton in Limpopo who, after losing his job, turned to TikTok with a comedic character named "Sis Maria."
With just a smartphone, broomstick, and a laptop, Mashifane has built a social media empire with over 1.3 million TikTok followers, turning content creation into a sustainable career.'This is the power of media and technology,' said Survé.
'If one young South African can rewrite his future with a smartphone and passion, imagine what millions could achieve.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
6 minutes ago
- IOL News
University of Pretoria recognised as leading institution for AI research in South Africa
UP's researchers are actively helping shape the future of this field in Africa and beyond. Image: DC Studio / Freepik The University of Pretoria (UP) has been recognised as the top institution in South Africa for artificial intelligence (AI) research, according to a recent EduRank analysis. This achievement highlights UP's increasing influence in AI scholarship and its sustained investment in research excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation that benefits society. The ranking is based on an evaluation of more than 61,200 academic papers and 969,000 citations from 24 South African universities. Globally, UP is ranked 532nd, and it holds the second position across the African continent for its AI research output and impact. Professor Sunil Maharaj, UP's vice-principal for research, innovation, and postgraduate education, commented on this recognition, stating, "This ranking confirms UP's role as a leader in developing AI technologies that are impactful, ethical and relevant." He added that UP's researchers are actively "helping shape the future of this field in Africa and beyond." UP's AI research capabilities have been strengthened by new international funding awarded to Professor Vukosi Marivate. Professor Marivate holds the ABSA-UP Chair of Data Science within the Department of Computer Science. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ This funding is dedicated to supporting African-led AI research in crucial areas, including healthcare, agriculture, climate resilience, and language technology, with a strong commitment to ethical considerations and inclusion. Professor Marivate's work focuses on developing AI systems specifically designed for African contexts. This includes creating tools capable of processing underrepresented languages and providing data insights that are directly relevant to local needs. The funding will also support postgraduate training and collaborative projects aimed at developing the next generation of African AI researchers. Professor Marivate emphasised, "We are committed to ensuring that AI solutions emerging from Africa are shaped by African priorities." He also noted that this support enables the growth of local research capacity and the creation of "tools that have direct, meaningful impact on communities." The University's AI projects frequently involve collaborations with industry, partnerships across various faculties, and engagement with policymakers to ensure broad societal benefit. Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Francis Petersen stated that the combination of this new ranking and increased research funding reflects the university's core mission. "We aim to be a thought leader in areas that matter most to society," Professor Petersen remarked. He concluded that UP's AI research serves as a prime example of how the university can deliver solutions that are "globally competitive and deeply relevant to Africa's development."
IOL News
36 minutes ago
- IOL News
Sindiso Khumalo opens flagship store in Cape Town, celebrating African creativity
Designer Sindiso Khumalo opens her first flagship store in Cape Town. Image: Supplied Cape Town has a new fashion landmark as internationally celebrated designer Sindiso Khumalo opens her first flagship store, marking a major career milestone and a meaningful return to her roots. Khumalo, known for her hand-illustrated prints, carefully considered silhouettes, and unwavering commitment to sustainability, has spent the past decade carving out a respected global presence. A finalist for the prestigious LVMH Prize, her work has graced runways at Milan Fashion Week and appeared in collaborations with & Other Stories, IKEA and Vans. Now, with the launch of her flagship store, she brings her journey full circle. 'Opening the store in Cape Town just made sense. It's where my family is, where my home is,' says Khumalo. Sindiso Khumalo opens her first flagship store in Cape Town. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The designer launched her namesake label in 2014 after completing her Master's in Textile Futures at Central Saint Martins. Following a short break to raise her young children, she relaunched in 2018 and has since built a loyal following drawn to her slow, intentional approach to fashion. From the start, Khumalo has championed African textile traditions and sustainability. Her collections make use of natural fabrics like African-grown cotton, hemp and linen, while also creating opportunities for women artisans in Cape Town, Jaipur and Burkina Faso. Techniques such as hand embroidery, hand-block printing and crochet form the backbone of her work. These practices are equally reflected in her new retail space. Techniques such as hand embroidery, hand-block printing and crochet form the backbone of her work. Image: Supplied The flagship, located in the lively Longkloof precinct, is a celebration of South African creativity. Inside, the store showcases design pieces from ARRANGE Studio, Dokter and Misses, and Wunders, alongside artwork by Marsi van de Heuvel. A blush velvet curtain, pink-painted piping and a striking fire-engine red railing bring warmth and personality to the industrial bones of the space. 'I really wanted the space to tell a story of South African art and design,' Khumalo explains. 'It really feels like me. We took a lot of care into curating the space to reflect the story of the brand and to bring that story to life in a physical form. Everything you see in the store, the colours, the textures, the energy, is part of the world we've built with the brand.' Even the materials echo the label's ethos. Surplus tiles and a repurposed sofa by Heath Nash continue the brand's commitment to sustainability and circular design. 'I wanted every aspect of the space to be reflective of the work we do at SindisoKhumalo. We've always worked with waste in a way that reimagines it as something beautiful, and I wanted that to be part of the store too.' At the heart of the shop floor is In Full Bloom, Khumalo's latest collection. At the heart of the shop floor is In Full Bloom, Khumalo's latest collection. Image: Supplied Inspired by the women in her life and the sisterhoods that shape her, the collection blends Cape Town-made embroidery with Jaipur's hand-block prints, fusing South African and Indian craft traditions. The pieces are alive with colour, including turmeric, rose and sage, which echo the vibrant souks, spices and tapestries of Marrakech. Alongside her signature bold prints and 60s-inspired silhouettes, the collection introduces more accessible items like T-shirts and collar accessories. 'I've always thought of clothing as a kind of good luck charm,' she says. 'I want our garments to bring joy and feel like little talismans that move with you through your life.' For Khumalo, the flagship is not just a shop, but a space for connection. 'We really wanted to create something that felt warm and welcoming, where people could come in, discover the brand, and feel like they're stepping into a story. I hope they feel at home,' she shares. Looking ahead, the designer hints at more growth and exciting ventures. 'There's a lot ahead for the future of Sindiso Khumalo, and the retail space is just the beginning of this journey.' IOL Lifestyle Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The South African
36 minutes ago
- The South African
8th anniversary: Who is Bongi Mbonambi's wife?
Springboks player Bongi Mbonambi and his wife Anastacia celebrated eight years of marriage on 12 August. Here's what we know about Mrs Mbonambi. Sringboks player Bongi Mbonambi took to Instagram to pen a sweet anniversary tribute to his wife, Anatacia. The pair has been married for eight years. Anastacia and the Springbok star tied the knot at the Webersburg wine estate in Stellenbosch in 2017. The pair reportedly met at a church in Cape Town, while Bongi was playing for the Stormers. 'Happy 8th year anniversary my beautiful wife. ❤️😍🥰 here 🥂 is to many more anniversaries by the Grace and Mercy of GOD. it's hasn't been perfect but definitely worth it… thank you for your love and patience and so much care for our little family. You have blessed me with two beautiful girls who are our world. ❤️🥰😍🥹,' he wrote. '8 years for slapping the same sexy cheeks 🍑😂here's to many more. ❤️🥂until the wheels fall off my Lifie ❤️😍,' he continued. Take a look here. According to her Instagram biography, Anastacia is a digital creator. She has close to 7000 followers on Instagram, where she shares snippets of her everyday life. She is also a qualified cancer therapist. She lives in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal. Anastacia is a mom of two. She has two daughters with the Springbok player. Bongi is also a father to a teenage daughter, he reportedly welcomed with Koketso Matlala. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
