Digify Africa expands free digital skills programme to De Aar

DIGIFY Africa has announced the expansion of its General Practitioners (GPs) programme to De Aar. Following successful initiatives in Kuruman and Kimberley, this new phase aims to empower young local residents with practical digital marketing and entrepreneurial skills essential for thriving in today’s digital economy.

The programme, supported by Longyuan, is a comprehensive 10-week free boot camp that equips participants, aged 18 to 35, with crucial competencies to bridge the digital education gap in rural regions. Specifically designed to cater to aspiring freelancers and budding entrepreneurs, the initiative seeks to arm youth with essential digital marketing knowledge coupled with hands-on experience.

From its inception, the programme has focused on delivering impactful training that nurtures creativity and innovation among participants. Each participant undergoes rigorous engagement with various facets of digital marketing and entrepreneurship. Notably, from Week 6 onwards, participants will collaborate with local small businesses in De Aar, applying their newly acquired skills on real-time digital marketing projects, thus enriching their learning experience.

Reflecting on the significance of this programme, Qhakaza Mohare, CEO of Digify Africa, stated, “This expansion to De Aar is about creating pathways for young people to build sustainable digital livelihoods. We have seen how youth in Kuruman and Kimberley have harnessed digital skills to create opportunities for themselves and their communities. Now, it is De Aar’s turn.”

Supporting this initiative is Longyuan Wind Project’s 5I R Program, which emphasises innovation, inclusion, and integrity. According to Fay Cassim, head of sustainability at Longyuan, “When innovation meets inclusion, transformation becomes inevitable. Through this collaboration, we aim to unlock the potential of young South Africans to lead with purpose, creativity, and responsibility.” The partnership seeks to merge technology with a strong sense of social good, creating a new epoch of digital empowerment in the Northern Cape.

Digify GPs has already seen the successful graduation of over 100 youths from its previous groups in Kimberley and Kuruman, with participants like Nhlanhla Majola attesting to the programme’s efficacy. “As a self-taught social media marketer, this programme was the perfect springboard to the next level where there’s team structure, workflow flow and the ability to translate taste in a more palatable way,” Majola shared. She urged the youth of De Aar to seize this opportunity and transform their aspirations into reality.

The training is scheduled to commence on January 19 and conclude on March 27. More details are available via www.digifyafrica.com.