DR HENDRIETTA BOGOPANE-ZULU IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MTN SA FOUNDATION HOSTS A GRADUATION CEREMONY IN MGOBODZI VILLAGE

 By Makhosi Mavuso

• Dr. Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu and the MTN SA Foundation collaborate amidst high youth unemployment to host a graduation ceremony on February 16, 2024, targeting skills development in Mgobodzi village, Mpumalanga.

• 20 graduates will emerge equipped with NQF Level 3 basic computer skills to address the digital gap, paving the way for rural communities to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

• This initiative builds upon establishing a twenty-seater multimedia centre in Mgobodzi village by the MTN SA Foundation and Dr. Bogopane-Zulu in October 2022, promoting digital literacy and enhancing access to technology.

High levels of unemployment in the country, particularly affecting the youth, set the backdrop for Dr. Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu’s collaboration with the MTN SA Foundation. On February 16, 2024, a graduation ceremony will be hosted in response to the pressing need for skills development among young people in Mgobodzi village, under the Mawewe Tribal Authority in Mpumalanga Province.

To address the digital divide and prepare rural communities for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, 20 young individuals will graduate after completing accredited modules in basic personal computer skills, awarded at NQF level 3.

Dr. Bogopane-Zulu’s partnership with the MTN SA Foundation previously yielded a fully accessible twenty-seater multimedia centre with data, generously provided by MTN, in Mgobodzi village in October 2022. This initiative aims to empower rural communities with digital literacy and access to technology.

The graduation ceremony not only signifies a step towards bridging the digital gap but also aims to equip graduates with the necessary skills to navigate job opportunities and advance their careers amidst the challenging employment landscape. This initiative is aligned with the National Youth Policy (2020-2030), which seeks to foster positive youth development outcomes nationwide.