Young people in townships urged to embrace 4IR

YOUNG people in townships need to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and prepare to work and compete in its economy if they want a better tomorrow, says African Beyond 4IR business development manager Ingrid Mhlophe.

She was speaking during the launch of Digital Youth Festival at the Tshwane South TVET College Odi Campus in Mabopane.

The festival, which seeks to “take the digital future to South Africa”, focused on work opportunities that may disappear and those that would be created, helping young people prepare to find work in tomorrow’s economy.

Mhlophe said the digital world evolved daily, so staying relevant was critical to avoid being left behind.

South African youth are faced with many challenges, ranging from unemployment and lack of access to ICT resources to their ability to take part in the digital economy.

A lot needed to be done to ensure that the youth were provided with opportunities that would shape their future, hence the festival aimed at also promoting innovation and entrepreneurship among the youth, exposing them to the digital economy and encouraging them to be innovators.

Mhlophe said that bringing such an initiative to townships like Mabopane also bridged the digital divide and helped some young people who would not be able to access uncommon information– for example, how a person could make a living by simply playing video games.

The festival had exhibitions of robotics, VR (visual reality), speakers representing technical fields in the digital creative space, the pitching den, showcases of technologies and live entertainment and refreshments, E-sport tournaments and a chill zone.

Africa Beyond 4IR chief executive Kelebogile Molopyane said: “As we empower the youth in the areas of technology, innovation, and business incubation, we understand how technology is a part of our daily lives and 4IR is upon us all.

“Our priority is to develop the youth and make sure that we empower them with future skills to ensure they are included in the digital economy.

“We encourage them to come up with innovative ideas to change their lives for the better. We call on government and the private sector to partner with us as we empower the youth and grow South Africa together.”

The Department of Small Business Development was part of the festival, as was the sponsor: the Small Enterprise Development Agency.