WEB ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT

May 2025.

Access to digital skills and employment opportunities remain a challenge for young people in rural communities. In response to this, a Youth Web Entrepreneurial Development Programme was launched earlier this year in the Saldanha Bay area. Funded by Umoya Energy in partnership with TechWays, a non-profit organisation focused on digital inclusion, this six-month initiative is designed to equip unemployed, low-skilled, and rural youth with in-demand digital and entrepreneurial skills.

Twenty youth from Hopefield, Vredenburg, and Saldanha Bay were selected to participate in the programme. The training focuses on digital literacy, WordPress web development, and freelancing skills to help participants to enter the digital economy, thereby creating sustainable income opportunities. Participants are learning how to build websites, secure and manage freelance projects, and understand professional client engagement, including billing and service delivery.

One of the participants, Edglin March (20), shared, “I joined the programme to grow both personally and professionally. It’s a great chance to build skills, gain experience, and improve my chances of finding meaningful work. I’ve developed confidence, learned graphic and website design, and gained insight into what employers are looking for. My goal after the programme is to find a job where I can use these skills and continue growing in my career.”

The Youth Web Entrepreneurial Development Programme offers both online and in-person training sessions, coupled with ongoing mentorship and access to valuable learning resources. As part of this initiative, participants received laptops at the end of Phase 1 of the programme, handed over mid-April, ensuring they are equipped to continue learning and working beyond the classroom. Upon completion, students will graduate with an official certificate to validate their new skills.

“This initiative aligns with our commitment to empowering local communities through capacity building and skills transfer. We believe that by providing these young people with practical, marketable skills, we’re not only helping them improve their own lives but also addressing the broader shortage of IT professionals in this region,” said Amber Zeeman, Social Performance Practitioner for Umoya Energy.