In an effort to address this, Livity Africa has joined forces with the British Council ConnectZA, the British High Commission and Google SA to launch two groundbreaking initiatives that will provide access to digital skills development, job opportunities and insights into the industry. The initiatives: Digify Bytes and Digital Hustles, will empower and educate youth about the endless opportunities in digital through shared expertise and training programmes offered throughout the country.
"Digital technology provides a fresh solution to issues of youth unemployment faced by many young people today," says Gavin Weale, Livity Africa founder. "These initiatives will not only empower young people with skills that are in high demand, but will also provide access to fresh insights and perspectives that may be otherwise hard to find."
Both programmes will launch respectively on 25 and 26 June with two events in the heart of Johannesburg.
Digify Bytes is an extension of the successful Digify ZA programme, which was launched in partnership with Google and the IAB SA in 2014. In an effort to broaden its reach and impact, Digify Bytes was created to provide short-form workshops offering digital skills and development to students and young people through universities, colleges and youth organisations country-wide.
"South Africans already socialise online as part of their daily lives; more and more business is moving online too. Digify Bytes gives thousands of young people skills to take advantage of this shift. It's about learning the 21st century skills that companies want their staff to have now that will be indispensable in the future." says Tom Birtwistle, deputy director South Africa - British Council.
The free workshops will be facilitated by experienced Digify ZA alumni starting in Johannesburg. Participants will gain hands-on experience with different elements of social media, content marketing, search, analytics and more.
Digital Hustles is an entertaining series of conversations, gatherings and activities focused on bringing awareness to digital skills and creativity. Each event will be led by a facilitator featuring a line-up of industry professionals and entrepreneurs who have utilised technology or digital platforms to create a viable business or "hustle" for themselves.
Digital Hustles will take place in various locations in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban throughout the year. The first Digital Hustle will take place at Jozi Hub (44 Stanley Ave.) on 26 June featuring entrepreneur Rohan Gunatillake, director of UK-based Mindfulness Everywhere and advisor who specialises in digital innovation in the arts and wellbeing through technology.
Other panelists will include self-taught web designer and founder of Fashion Church, Sanego Motsweni, South African marketeer and app developer, Pearl Sokhulu and digital expert, Sarah Blake. The event will be facilitated by Tegan Bristow, Lecturer at the Digital Arts Division of the Wits School of the Arts.
To attend the Digital Hustle, please register here
