Latest news with #Tshimologong
The Citizen
6 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.
Mail & Guardian
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
The art of the hustle
Learning space: People attend HEATSKRS CON, which offers educational workshops for innovators and creatives. (Lethabo Motseleng) Walking into Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, I am immediately immersed in creativity and knowledge sharing. I am here to witness this year's edition of HEATSKRS CON (Heatseekers Convention), a power-packed two-day event that champions youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship and cultural storytelling. After media accreditations and pleasantries, publicist and host Nikiwe Buhlalu showed me to the first discussion of the day, the #FintechXfilm: Finance for filmmaker's workshop. I get in while a film guarantor is addressing the mostly young audience on film insurance. 'HEATSKRS is curating spaces where we could find the heat from the latest innovators and creatives but also creating a space for education,' Buhlalu tells me. The convention aims to blend the worlds of creative entrepreneurship with filmmaking, music, cultural organising and pop culture through carefully curated stages, workshops, talks and showcases. I asked Buhlalu about the genesis of this convention in its second year. 'It started off basically because of Pride and Petty, which is a YouTube channel we had a few years back. 'With the HEATSKRS events we wanted to create a space for the youth, where independent artists can perform on stage and actually get paid,' she says. 'Those who make short films, for instance, that don't have distribution deals can come here to show their films and engage with the audience by having a live response.' HEARTSKRS is a launch pad for young creative careers, including Buhlalu's. 'One of the first acting auditions I ever did was because someone saw me at HEATSKRS, so that's, at its core, what it's all about.' As we chatted amid Joburg skyline views and sips of ginger beer, NotAnotherPodcast Live, hosted by Masego Matiko and guest Monwabisi Rodolo, were doing a live recording. 'This is their premier episode,' Buhlalu adds, driving home her point about young creatives finding space to launch their work publicly. Through the BAI Spotlights section, HEATSKRS provides a platform for creative trailblazers to show what they do and how they do it. BAI Spotlights for the first day included Dennis Ngango, Julian Masindi, Mkhetwa Baloyi and Gugulethu Nyatsumba. As the afternoon sun flirted with setting, I asked Buhlalu for some of the general feedback they receive from the attendees. 'Young creatives who attend are intrigued and shocked by this niche that they never knew they needed until they experienced it. 'They never needed to know as a freelancer what Sars [the South African Revenue Service] looks like or what film scoring is. Now they have an idea,' Buhlalu says with her signature infectious smile. Event curator and filmmaker Yalezo Njuguna concurs about the industry knowledge gap among young, independent creatives. Popularly known as 'Yazz', Njuguna says after he finished his degree and working on a few films and shows, he decided to go out on his own: 'When I went independent as a filmmaker, and started working on the first project, I saw I didn't know much about the independent space in film, and other creative artforms, as a young artist.' Njuguna's view on the intersectionality of artforms took me back to my poetry days in Pretoria under Lefifi Tladi's mentorship. A renowned poet and painter, Tladi emphasised the importance of finding the sweet spot between artforms such as poetry and jazz or producing a painting from watching a dancer. Njuguna says he believes creativity is intersectional. 'I wanted a space where creatives could come together and give a chance for the audiences to interact with the rest of the ecosystem. 'It is amazing that we can actually intersect different creative forms and industries for young artists so that, as we grow together, we can develop innovative relationships and collaborations. I am excited, I am hoping it will grow more.' The heat is on: HEATSKRS CON publicist and host Nikiwe Buhlalu takes to the stage at the Johannesburg event which aims to boost innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity among the youth. (Lethabo Motseleng) The two-day HEATSKRS CON was a multi-stage experience, with the Creative Stage and Afriquan Film Stage hosting some of the most forward-thinking conversations and live experiences in youth culture. The workshops on film budgeting, risk management and market readiness were fascinating. On the second day, what caught my imagination was Njuguna's conversation with Intellectual Property lawyer Kevin Smith, titled The Geopolitical Implications of Artificial Intelligence. Smith spoke about how Western countries like the US use AI for commercial gain, and Eastern countries like China for surveillance, while Africa is merely reacting to new global technologies. He pointed out that Africa needs up-to-date AI regulations and adequate compensation for content creation. To avoid further exploitation, Smith emphasises the call to consolidate our African culture, arts, heritage and indigenous knowledge systems to create digital libraries owned by African governments and trusts. After lunch, more ginger juice and networking, I head over to the Creative Stage for the BAI Spotlight presentations. The creative companies for the second day included Mercha, Revenge Club Records and Legacy Defined. These start-ups took audiences behind the scenes of merchandising, record label and artist management. Take note: The two-day HEATSKRS CON event in Braamfontein featured notable speakers. (Lethabo Motseleng) As Jay Jody, rapper and co-founder of Revenge Club Records, spoke about the hard lessons of starting a record label, I thought about the challenges of balancing creativity and business. Jody said one must be prepared to wear multiple hats to ensure sustainability of the creative work and business operations. The pursuit of such a balance was a common topic throughout the two days. Most speakers gave insights on the importance of understanding administrative structures to blend pop culture and business. As a youth growing up in Mabopane, a township outside of Pretoria, the arts were seen as a hobby and associated with laziness, dirty All-Star sneakers and substance abuse. However, meeting fellow creatives at poetry and hip-hop events I assimilated into a creative community that welcomed my oddness. Parents around the neighbourhood couldn't understand this movement of youth with guitars, paint brushes and notebooks in hand. Their concern was whether we could make a living out of the arts compared to the norm of getting a job at a retailer in town. Initiatives like HEATSKRS targeting young creatives go a long way to keep such concerns and stigmatism at bay. When a creative is armed with the necessary entrepreneurial tools and industry knowledge, they can craft a sustainable future for themselves and the creative community. Besides the copious amount of ginger beer and popcorn, the two days were filled with insightful workshops, talks and networking, showcasing the best of African creativity and youth-driven ecosystems.
