Innovative partnerships between public and private sectors are essential for equipping South Africa's youth with the digital skills needed to unlock the doors to the job market and the economy in general, says the writer.
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In a rapidly changing global economy, too many young people remain excluded, not because of a lack of potential, but because of a lack of access to relevant skills and opportunities. South Africa is no exception.
If we are serious about tackling youth unemployment, we must fundamentally rethink how we prepare young people for the world of work. This is why partnerships between the public and private sectors are no longer optional but essential.
On 30 March 2026, the Department of Higher Education and Training signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Google South Africa to expand access to digital and artificial intelligence skills across our post-school education and training system. This partnership represents more than a collaboration; it signals a shift in how we approach skills development in our country. Google South Africa will initially provide 10,000 career certificate scholarships to students across public universities, TVET colleges and CET colleges.
Digital skills are no longer a niche requirement. They are foundational to meaningful participation in the modern economy. Whether in entrepreneurship, services, manufacturing or the creative industries, digital fluency is becoming a basic requirement for opportunity.
Through this partnership, students – particularly in rural and township areas – will gain access to globally recognised training programmes in fields such as data analytics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and digital marketing. Encouragingly, there are signs of progress. But isolated initiatives will not be enough.
Equally important is creating a better enabling environment in the entire post-school education system (PSET). By strengthening the digital and AI capabilities of lecturers, we ensure that our institutions are not only consuming knowledge but are also actively producing it. But our partnership with Google SA is not just about skills, it is about access, inclusion and equity.
For too long, young people in rural and underserved communities have been excluded from the opportunities created by the digital economy. Bridging this divide is not only a matter of fairness but a prerequisite for inclusive growth.
At the same time, we must be clear: the Department of Higher Education and Training cannot do this alone. The entire government must come onboard. The scale of South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis requires a collective response. It requires business to open its doors, co-create training programmes, and invest in the development of future talent.
We also need to build a system where partnerships such as this are the norm, not the exception; where skills development is directly linked to economic participation, and where young people are equipped not only to seek jobs but to create them.
The urgency of this work cannot be overstated. In their Quarterly Labour Force Survey figures for the first quarter of 2025, Statistics South Africa revealed that close to 10.3 million young people aged 15–24 find it almost impossible to enter the job market. Behind these numbers are real lives, real ambitions, and real potential waiting to be unlocked.
As we reflect on the progress we are making, we must remain focused on the bigger goal: building a post-school system that delivers opportunity at scale. Advancing digital fluency must be one of the fundamental tenets for growing our economy at scale.
At the MoU signing ceremony, Google South Africa Country Director, Kabelo Makwane was indeed correct in stating that AI is no longer restricted to IT specialists but is now part of our daily lives. Makwane further said, “Digital technology is a massive catalyst for South Africa, with Google tools alone contributing R118 billion to the economy in 2023. AI is set to add another R172 billion, creating new skills and unlocking growth opportunities for all citizens. To capture this value, we must close the skills gap and empower our youth to innovate for Africa's unique context.”
The adaptation of technology through AI and digitalisation is rapidly transforming the South African economy, driving efficiency in key sectors like mining, agriculture, and finance while boosting productivity and fostering innovation. When we invest in the skills of our young people, we are not only preparing them for the future, but we are also shaping a sustainable future for our country. Without a doubt, technology is a true driver of growth.
* Dr Mimmy Gondwe is the Deputy Minister for Higher Education and a Member of Parliament for the Democratic Alliance.
Higher Education Deputy Minister Mimmy Gondwe.
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