In case you needed reminding, South Africa’s unemployment rate isn’t so hot. Among the country’s youth, 44% are in dire need of a job. That’s why the University of Limpopo has put together a ‘Digital Innovation Lab’, and why Microsoft and Vodacom are partnering up. You know, to “address the urgent need for relevant skills in the modern job market.”
How? By providing free access to Microsoft’s Mzansi Digital Learning platform — a free resource that’s being taken advantage of today. As for where Vodacom comes into this — it’ll be hosting Mzansi Digital Learning on the network’s new NXT LVL platform and integrated into ConnectU — a zero-rated platform that will allow Vodacom customers to access the free resource without any mobile data or Wi-Fi.
It’s essentially turning what was already free learning into, er, free-er, learning. And we’re here for it.
Modern problems require modern solutions
“We are extremely grateful to embark on this transformative partnership with our longstanding partner Microsoft South Africa. Collaborating with a like-minded brand who share our values and ambition is [a] testament to our collective commitment to address unemployment and empower individuals through innovative digital training,” says Mathys Venter, Managing Executive for Prepaid and Loyalty at Vodacom South Africa.
The courses found in Mzansi Digital Learning focus on “important topics to help users understand the changing landscape of business in a digital world of Generative AI, entrepreneurship, and cybersecurity.” Vodacom added that the courses have been designed to align with the most sought-after jobs in South Africa and that participating customers will receive certification by completing courses on the platform.
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Vodacom and Microsoft aim to reach around 300,000 South Africans through the initiative, adding to the 95,000 people already studying there.
“We are fully committed to supporting and enabling our youth as we collectively work towards closing the skills gap and empowering every person to achieve more in this era of digital transformation. It is increasingly about ensuring young people are equipped with the skills they need for the jobs that exist today and, in the future,” says Asif Valley, National Technology Officer at Microsoft South Africa.
Any Vodacom customers interested in registering for the programme can do so here, though it’s worth a reminder that non-Vodacom customers can also sign up for Mzansi Digital Learning too — though they will have to suffer the burden of mobile data and Wi-Fi requirements. That’s probably what Vodacom is counting on (at least a little).