Deputy Minister Philly Mapulane Addresses Limpopo Digital Summit: Bridging the Digital Divide and Empowering the Youth

by
1 min read
youth empowerment digital skills development

In commemoration of Youth Month, Deputy Minister Philly Mapulane spoke at the Limpopo Digital Summit. The theme for the 2023 Youth Month is “Accelerating youth economic emancipation for a sustainable future,” which reflects the importance of empowering the youth in South Africa’s journey towards progress.

Addressing Youth Unemployment through Digital Skills Development

With the number of unemployed youth reaching 4.9 million, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is called upon to intervene and empower the youth through digital skills development. Deputy Minister Mapulane emphasized the significance of digital literacy, coding, robotics, data analytics, data science, network engineering, internet of things, cloud computing, machine learning, software development, and engineering in addressing the challenges faced by young people today.

The National Digital and Future Skills Strategy

The Department has developed a National Digital and Future Skills Strategy aimed at equipping the citizens of South Africa with the necessary digital skills for the future. The strategy focuses on a well-coordinated drive to skill, re-skill, and up-skill the citizens through the collaboration of stakeholders.

Empowering Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) play a vital role in South Africa’s economy, providing employment opportunities, driving innovation, and contributing to economic growth. The Digitech SMME platform launched last year aims to overcome the obstacles faced by these businesses and contribute significantly to the nation’s prosperity.

Bridging the Gap through Data and Cloud Policy

The release of the Data and Cloud Policy aims to bridge the gap between government and citizens, as well as government and industry by enabling access to data and cloud services. This policy will facilitate cloud adoption across government departments and ensure compliance with data security and privacy requirements, and cost-optimization.

Achieving Affordable, High-Speed Internet Access for All

Mapulane emphasized the need for a social compact with all of society to ensure that no one is left behind in the ongoing digital transformation. The vision of affordable, high-speed internet access for all announced in the 2023 State of the Nation Address can only be achieved through collaborative efforts.

The Limpopo Digital Summit serves as a platform for further interrogating these issues and catalyzing progress in bridging the digital divide and empowering South Africa’s youth. Through digital skills development, empowering SMMEs, and bridging the gap through data and cloud policy, South Africa can build a brighter future for its citizens.

Tags:

You might be interested in

A Russian-Spanish journalist and Cape Town native, channels his lifelong passion for South Africa into captivating stories for his local blog. With a diverse background and 50 years of rich experiences, Serjio's unique voice resonates with readers seeking to explore Cape Town's vibrant culture. His love for the city shines through in every piece, making Serjio the go-to source for the latest in South African adventures.

View all

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

child protection harmful practices Cape Town
Previous Story

International Children’s Day 2023: An Urgent Call to End Harmful Practices

south africa mining industry
Next Story

South Africa’s Mining Industry: Progress Amid Challenges

Latest from Blog

racism slavery

A Disturbing Incident: Recollection of Slavery in a High School Incident

Students at a Cape Town high school were involved in a disturbing mock auction that resembled scenes from slavery. The incident, filmed and circulated on social media, triggered investigations by school officials and widespread indignation. A spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department confirmed that the students’ actions were not in line with the values and principles of the department or the school. The incident highlights the need for ongoing dialogues about racial equality, mutual respect, and education on the lasting effects of historical crimes such as slavery.

ireland vfs global

The Evolving Global Travel Landscape: A New Chapter for South African and Botswana Nationals

South African and Botswana nationals now need to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland, following the Irish Department of Justice’s appointment of VFS Global as its official partner for travellers from these two countries. The decision was made in response to a surge in International Protection applications from South African and Botswana nationals, and is aimed at aligning Ireland more closely with the Schengen Area. The move is part of a broader trend of countries modifying their immigration policies to balance security considerations, economic requirements, and aspirations to maintain an opendoor policy.

electric fence south africa

“Spearheading Safety: South Africa’s Revised Electric Fence Regulations”

South Africa’s Bureau of Standards has updated regulations for electric fences, with new rules requiring the use of premiumgrade materials, regular inspection schedules and enhanced testing methods after installation. The SANS 10222–3: 2023 Edition 5.1 requirements also include revised standards for warning sign placement and joint installation. Failure to comply with the standards can result in the denial of insurance claims, while consumers can request the Electric Fence System Installer number from installers and report improper conduct to the Department of Labour.

homelessness cape town

The Unfolding Homelessness Crisis in Cape Town’s Central Business District

The homelessness crisis in Cape Town’s CBD is becoming increasingly urgent, with hundreds of homeless individuals facing eviction. The city’s proposed solution, the Safe Spaces Initiative, provides shelter, meals, and vocational training to homeless individuals and is funded by the city. While some support the initiative as a way to preserve the dignity of the destitute, others argue for more comprehensive solutions, such as repurposing vacant buildings for permanent housing and addressing health and employment issues. The decision of how to tackle this issue has farreaching implications, making it a critical moment for the city.

south africa democracy

Examining the Path of Democracy: South Africa’s Transformation Over Thirty Years

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile emphasized the need for scientific and evidencesupported strategies to handle socioeconomic complexities, identified key issues integral to the nation’s developmental dialogue, including countering the impacts of climate change, capitalizing on the advantages of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and supporting peace initiatives on the continent. The conference reflected on the struggles, achievements, and aspirations of a nation striving to uphold principles of justice, equality, and social transformation.