More than 60 people from Khayelitsha graduated from a three-month computer training programme at the Blue Hall in Site C on Saturday June 8.
The training had been offered by Whizz ICT Centre, a non-governmental organisation, to equip the youth with skills to make them employable.
Those who received their certificates promised to use their stories to inspire other students facing hardships. Whizz ICT founder Thembinkosi Qondela said four of the 64 students who initially enrolled, dropped out due to work commitments..
“But we are happy because they had something to do. Today, 24 attended the ceremony some surely had to attend few things because it is a weekend,” he said. Among the dignitaries at the graduation was Gwamaka Mwalemba from University of Cape Town who said that they are happy with the partnership they have with Whizz ICT Centre.
“The major worry for Whizz is the digital divide which undermines the country’s economy. Should access to technology be equalised, it will ease a lot in terms of socio-economic problems faced by our people,” he said.
Edmo Chinhamo, research analyst at Business Process Enabling South Africa (BPESA), urged the graduates to take up opportunities that exist in the industry. He said BPRESA was set up by the provincial government and the City of Cape Town to provide for skills in the call centre.
The students said this was the beginning of good things to come. Speaking on behalf of graduates, Kopano Damane said when he registered with the programme, little did he know that it was the beginning of a new career for him. He did a web development course provided by Whizz in partnership with Penguin Protocols. He is now a director and a shareholder of a web development company based in Rondebosch.