Latest news with #R280-million
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Samsung celebrates successful completion of ICT training
Software Development Internship Programme: Designed to provide graduates with hands-on experience, skills development and industry exposure to enhance their employability JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – XX Month 2025 – Samsung celebrated the successful completion of the ICT training by hosting a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, 30 July 2025 for Tshimologong's 5th Cohort of the Software Development Internship Programme. In attendance were some dignitaries and partners that included Simon Lee, President and CEO, Samsung Africa, CEO of Tshimologong, Mr Mark Harris and Wits Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Lynn Morris. Sponsored by Samsung, this ICT training programme has been designed to provide recent graduates with hands-on experience, skills development and industry exposure to enhance their employability. The latest cohort of 18 graduates (including six females) was conferred with their certificates at the ceremony. This 12-month software development internship programme offered at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Johannesburg, provides graduates with practical experience in cutting-edge technologies needed to thrive in the digital economy. It also equips the youth with skills that prepare them for careers in the tech industry. Samsung's investment in ICT education for unemployed youth, which includes the provision of stipends, equipment, data access, mentorship and access to facilities – aims to address the challenge of unemployment in the country. This programme forms part of Samsung's R280-million worth Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), which was launched in 2019. Through Samsung's collaboration efforts with universities – the programme has been able to achieve significant milestones and some tangible opportunities have been created for these graduating students. Together, the partners have managed to enhance employment prospects and are addressing some of the socio-economic challenges faced by the country's youth and their respective community. For instance, in the first three (3) years of this programme, the partners were able to achieve 100% employment rate and the objective has been to ensure that the next cohorts have the same success. Nine (which is 50%) of the current graduates have already secured permanent employment, in part thanks to the skills they gained in the programme. According to some of the alumni students from the programme – this ICT training taught them to think innovatively, collaborate effectively and take accountability. Importantly, after this ICT training – the students were able to delegate tasks and responsibilities as well as make objective decisions to prioritise their teams' needs over personal preferences. Reflecting on her journey, one of the graduates, Ms. Nqobile Biyela shared how the programme helped her become a real-world developer with some of the practical skills she gained. 'The training I received at Tshimologong ensured that I the knowledge of coding to the application but were also taught to think differently, solve problems by collaborating in teams. I am now confident to apply my expertise in the world of work. The programme does not just teach you the technical skills but helps you build a career,' Biyela added. The Tshimologong environment has over the years expanded the student's professional network and enriched their personal growth – making them more open-minded and empathetic. Also, during the internship programme – the students saw the value of having different ideas, perspectives and experiences to a solution. Mr Mark Harris the CEO of Tshimologong said: 'As Tshimologong, we are extremely proud of the partnership with Samsung that allowed us the opportunity to run a programme to build world class software engineers. This programme creates valuable opportunities for graduates, most of whom already have a formal qualification in ICT or software engineering. This is not just about skills development, it prepares students for real work in software development and the world of innovation.' He explained that these graduates have now been prepared to solve real world problems. From reporting municipal issues, to managing bakeries as well as improving collaboration and streamlining data for businesses – this programme ensured that Tshimologong turned theory into practice. The graduates were given the opportunity to build products with real-world application. 'As partners, we know that the tech world is changing fast and that we are now in the era of AI-accelerated innovation. We are also well aware of the fact that the rules are being rewritten and that learning a single development language is no longer sufficient. This is why we are now embedding AI tools from day one, enabling faster learning, more rapid prototyping and scalable innovation. Ultimately, this will allow our interns the opportunity to become innovators, founders and problem-solvers in their own right,' Mr Harris added. Also important to note is that this programme not only focuses on developing technical skills in software development but also emphasises real-world project experience and mentorship. The programme has seen significant success, in particular – graduates have over the years gained proficiency in in-demand coding languages and software development skills. Furthermore, this initiative continues to strive towards reducing unemployment and fostering job creation in the tech sector. Speaking at the ceremony, Nicky Beukes, Samsung EEIP Project Manager said: 'As Samsung, we know very well the transformative potential of ICT education in empowering individuals, particularly unemployed youth and how it can help to overcome socio-economic challenges and unlock new career opportunities. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to drive positive change within the community and the broader industry. Samsung is committed to assisting government in addressing the challenge of youth unemployment and this is evident from the programme's impact highlighted in the previous success stories from alumni students who have benefited from the programme,' concluded Beukes.
Daily Maverick
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
NPA secures major State Capture win: Gupta associates and Free State officials face retrial
In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of Appeal has overturned the 2023 acquittals of Gupta lieutenant Iqbal Sharma, Gupta-linked executive Ronica Ragavan, and senior Free State government officials in the R24.9m Nulane fraud case. The court found multiple legal errors in the original trial and ordered a retrial before a new judge. In a tough week, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has won a major State Capture milestone as a four-judge bench of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) on Thursday, 12 June 2025, ordered that a new judge hear the Nulane State Capture case after an initial acquittal. More than R280-million was squandered on the Vrede dairy case, which saw the Gupta family take over prime Free State land run by their henchmen from India, who then ran it into the ground as they knew little about agriculture and even less about dairy farming. This money was found to have been used to pay for the infamous Bollywood family wedding in Sun City in 2013. In April 2023, Acting Judge Nompumelelo Gusha threw out the case against Nulane's Iqbal Sharma, Ronica Ragavan (representing a Gupta company) and various Free State officials. 'The SCA judgment confirms our view that the acting judge (Nompumelelo Gusha) misdirected herself in applying the relevant principles with regard to the case and erred in her strong criticism of the prosecution team,' said the NPA. Andrea Johnson's Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) will reinstate the case, one of the first significant acts of State Capture by the Gupta family and their associate, former trade official Sharma. The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture heard that poor black farmers were deprived of up to R280-million in the Vrede dairy farm case. The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption charged Sharma, Ragavan (representing the Gupta company Islandsite Investment One Hundred and Eighty [Pty] Ltd), as well as Free State government officials, Mbana Peter Thabethe, Limakatso Moorosi, Seipati Silvia Dhlamini and Dinesh Patel (Sharma's brother-in-law). Thabethe, Moorosi and Dhlamini were senior Free State Agriculture and Land Reform Department officials. While Ace Magashule was premier at the time, he was not charged with this case but with other charges. Because of a separate judgment, the court ruled last week that the extradition of his secretary, Moroadi Cholota, was not legal, and his asbestos capture case has been pushed out to 2026. The SCA ruled that the high court made multiple errors of law, including those related to the doctrine of common purpose, evidence rules, and an incorrect interpretation of Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act, among others. The SCA said the accused may be retried on the exact charges before a different judge as if they had not been tried or acquitted. The Nulane accused face charges related to fraud, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act with the first part of the contract. This was a scoping contract by Sharma's company Nulane, which paid R24.9-million. The State Capture commission heard that Sharma subcontracted this work to Deloitte for R1.5-million. In 2024, Daily Maverick reported here that the black farmers who had been deprived of their rights at the Vrede farm had received a R1,300 gift card and a 5kg meat hamper from the new farm owners, which has since reverted to state ownership. 'This judgment paves the way for the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption to reinstate the case within a reasonable period. The NPA remains resolute in its stance of effectively prosecuting and holding accountable those responsible for State Capture-related corruption,' said the NPA, which is under fire for slow progress. However, the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption has enrolled 50 State Capture cases and declared 133 investigations. It also works with the Asset Forfeiture Unit, run by Ouma Rabaji-Rasethaba, to obtain R14.3-billion worth of asset seizures through freezing and preservation orders. DM
