South Africa’s effort to curb youth unemployment gained a lift with the launch of the Afrika Tikkun Digital Skills Hub in Diepsloot, an area where joblessness is high and access to technology is limited. Youth unemployment remains above 44%, while an estimated 70% of future jobs will require digital capabilities, placing new urgency on initiatives that build technology skills.
The hub aligns with national priorities including the Youth Employment Intervention and the National Digital and Future Skills Strategy. Afrika Tikkun has already trained more than 600 unemployed young people in the past three months, reflecting demand for digital literacy, job-readiness support and technical training in fast-growing fields.
“The real heroes of today are the young people of Diepsloot and the dedicated Afrika Tikkun team who walk this journey with them every day. We are honoured to support a partnership that uplifts communities from within. Diepsloot is showing South Africa what is possible when youth are equipped, empowered and given a platform to succeed,” Nompilo Morafo, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, MTN Group said.
Developed by Afrika Tikkun with support from the MTN SA Foundation, the new facility includes 55 upgraded digital workstations and will serve as a central training site for the MTN Skills Academy. Participants will have access to courses in digital literacy, coding, website development, data analytics, digital marketing and workplace competencies tied to high-growth sectors.
“The greatest contribution one can make is helping another person reach their full potential without expecting financial reward or recognition. The true reward lies in celebrating the growth, success, and advancement of others. The Digital Skills Hub will enable this kind of impact by equipping our youth with skills and guiding them toward opportunities that might otherwise have been out of reach. We are proud and humbled to partner with MTN on this meaningful initiative,” said, Marian Claite, Chief Operating Officer, Afrika Tikkun
The project is being positioned as a scalable model for township-based digital inclusion, showing how partnerships can widen access to skills training, strengthen local capacity and support long-term economic participation
