New season of Digital Ambassadors kicks off

13 May 2016

 

The bridging of the digital divide in Johannesburg is continuing.

 

The 2016 season of the Digital Ambassadors Programme – an R80-million digital training initiative run by the City of Johannesburg in partnership with Harambee Youth Empowerment Accelerator and the University of Johannesburg – has kicked off.

More than two dozen youths gathered at the Klipfontein Multipurpose Centre in the City’s Region E on Wednesday May 11 for the launch of the second season of the programme. This was one of the first such gatherings to be held throughout the city over the next few days. Through the programme, the City recruits and trains unemployed matriculants in digital literacy and information technology.

After the training the youths, armed with a tablet, go into communities to pass on their digital skills so that more and more Johannesburg residents can gain enough knowledge to access the internet and enjoy the benefits of broadband connectivity. The Digital Ambassadors each earn R50 for every member of the community they train.

Speaking at the Klipfontein launch, the City’s Ephraim Pooe told the unemployed youth that this was one opportunity they needed to grab with both their hands.

“To every youth, this is one opportunity not worth missing,” he said.

The initiative – championed by Executive Mayor Councillor Parks Tau – is run under Vulindlel’ eJozi, a City initiative aimed at breaking down barriers to youth employment.When he announced the programme during his State of the City Address in May 2015, Mayor Tau said the City knew and understood that with just a little help, Johannesburg youth could become its greatest asset.

“This is why we are investing so much in the youth of this city. This is in line with our developmental local government approach to the implementation of the 2040 Growth and Development Strategy,” said Mayor Tau.

The programme uses the called Maru a Jozi portal, an easy-to-use digital tool that enables one free access to a range of basic online services. Besides being provided with a tablet to train community members, digi-entrepreneurs will also be mentored in business acumen to enable them to use technology to create innovation for their own enterprises.