SMME Focus — Youth Tech Programme sparks jobs and innovation from code to community
From the digital hubs of North West to the townships of the Eastern Cape, young South Africans face a daunting reality. According to Stats SA, youth unemployment reached 62.4% nationally for those aged 15 to 24 in the first quarter of this year. However, the Liquid Intelligent Technologies Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme is equipping young innovators with digital skills, funding and mentorship.
Last month, the programme celebrated 20 graduates at Liquid Intelligent Technologies' Johannesburg headquarters. The event featured a pitchathon where four standout start-ups presented their innovations to a panel of industry judges.
ProLink, a digital platform connecting users with verified contractors in Mthatha, won the top prize of R100,000 in seed funding and a 12-month business support package.
'We have created employment opportunities by hiring two interns who are actively involved in platform development and community engagement,' said Qhawe Mlengana, chief project director at ProLink.
Mlengana added that the startup was founded with the vision of not only connecting clients with certified professionals, but also empowering those in the informal sector who lack formal qualifications.
Over the next year ProLink plans to launch their platform and scale their presence across the Eastern Cape.
Tracking down livestock theft
Other finalists included HerdTrace, which uses GPS-enabled ear tags and health monitoring to combat livestock theft; Otomex Innovations, leveraging AI to address mental health challenges; and The Eye of Tech, focused on expanding digital skills in rural communities.
'We started HerdTrace because we come from communities where livestock isn't just income; it's survival, education and legacy,' said Zusiphe Makeleni, head of marketing at HerdTrace.
Makeleni shared the heartbreak of witnessing farmers losing livestock they rely on, with no safety net to fall back on.
This growing crisis has also caught the attention of political parties like the DA which highlighted a worrying increase in stock theft across the Eastern Cape. Recent figures show that stock theft cases have risen by 8.5%, with 1,628 incidents reported in the latest quarter alone.
For Makeleni, stock theft is more than a crime, 'it threatens education, generational progress and dignity'.
HerdTrace addresses this by using GPS-enabled ear tags, tamper alerts, health monitoring and geofencing to give farmers real-time updates and peace of mind.
Before joining the Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme, the team had passion and a clear problem but lacked the full business picture. The programme helped them to validate their market, sharpen their pitch and build a sustainable business model.
Mindful innovation
Meanwhile, Okuhle Badli, COO of Otomex Innovations, said their invention of MindPal isn't 'just a tech product'.
'It's a culturally attuned, locally designed mental health platform built for Africa's realities,' he said.
Badli added that gaining recognition and funding in the mental health sector had been challenging. To overcome this his team focused on purpose-driven innovation, building partnerships and creating their own pathways through bootstrapping and incubators.
MindPal is designed to be flexible and accessible. It also offers offline USSD access and scalable NGO and school partnerships, making it a trusted platform tailored specifically to the needs of African communities.
What this means for you
If you're a young person with tech ambitions, the Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme could be your gateway.
The programme runs annually, with applications usually opening around March and April. Announcements are made on the Liquid Intelligent Technologies SA LinkedIn page and through their implementation partner, Deviare.
The programme lasts 12 months, followed by an additional 12 months of support for winning entrepreneurs to help them grow their start-ups.
Application criteria:
Unemployed youth aged 18 to 35.
Matric certificate required; tertiary qualification is a plus.
An entrepreneurial mindset is essential.
Selection includes aptitude testing.
Turning challenges into opportunities
The programme offers a year-long, MICT Seta-accredited curriculum in artificial intelligence and software development, combined with comprehensive mentorship, business development support and access to funding.
Building a tech ecosystem
The programme's holistic approach ensures participants not only gain technical skills, but also develop the entrepreneurial acumen necessary to launch and scale their ventures.
This includes pre-incubation support, networking opportunities and access to cloud resources through Microsoft's Founders Hub, enabling start-ups to build robust, market-ready solutions. DM
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