The Minister of Higher Education and Training unveiled a R103 million partnership between the department, Services SETA, and Takealot. The ceremony took place on Tuesday at the TVET Ekurhuleni West college in Katlehong.
The Minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela, appealed to the private sector to activate opportunities and invest in developing the skills of the country's youth. This appeal was made during the launch of the fund in collaboration with the Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA) and the delivery service provider Takealot.
Manamela and his team emphasized the importance of upskilling and creating meaningful career paths for over five million unemployed young people in South Africa who are trying to link education with practical workplace experience and economic opportunities.
This initiative aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa's commitment to bridging the gap between unemployment and the world of work. It aims to support at least 20,000 young people through various programs focused on delivery services, digital skills training, and other areas.
Manamela stressed the critical role of industry participation in utilizing state skills levies, stating: 'We want industry to utilize the state skills levy. We are discussing simplifying this for employers, so we urge the private sector and the entire industry to open their doors and collaborate with us in training youth, just as we have done with institutions like Takealot.'
The initial investment of approximately R103 million is earmarked to create 20,000 income-generating opportunities through skills development, work experience, entrepreneurship, and participation in South Africa's growing digital economy.
Planned programs include work-integrated learning opportunities for TVET college students, scholarships for acquiring critical skills, personal shopper training, driver development initiatives, and digital upskilling tailored for small businesses.
Deputy Minister Yusuf Kassim supported the Minister's view, highlighting the importance of transitioning youth from learning to earning. Kassim noted: 'Our duty is not to announce opportunities, but to make them measurable and real. We want to see young people move from learning to earning, from qualification to participation in this country's economy.'
Frederick Tshetsman, CEO of Takealot, affirmed the company's commitment to talent development across various sectors, including food delivery and e-commerce. He stated: 'My job is not to repeat what has been said, but to reflect on the last 11 years. We have seen how our business has developed and grown as a dawn industry in the digital economy. With over 25,000 drivers, we stand firmly on reality, and we measure everything we do as a data-driven organization.'
Among the young beneficiaries of this initiative is Sophie Mokoena, a resident of Vosloorus, who shared her story of resilience. After finishing school in 2019, Mokoena faced significant difficulties due to lack of employment. However, after completing training as a licensed scooter driver under this partnership, she expressed joy about the potential positive impact on her life.
She recounted: 'I am happy about this opportunity and I feel it will change my life for the better. The last few years have not been smooth because opportunities were very limited. With this new opportunity, I feel it will benefit me, but also other young people who previously struggled to access work.'