Address by Mr Philly Mapulane MP, Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies at the Huawei seeds for the Future, Johannesburg, Gauteng
Thank you, Programme Director;
Huawei South Africa Deputy CEO, Mr. Kian Chen
Huawei Seeds students, the past and the new cohort,
Esteemed guests,
Ladies and gentlemen;
Good afternoon!
Introduction
I would like to take this opportunity and convey my sincere gratitude for the invitation for me to come and witness the launch of the Seeds for the Future programme.
Programme Director, let me also express my appreciation for the continued partnership that Huawei has with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies on the implementation of Huawei Seeds for the Future programme. It has been seven (7) years since the initiative started and it remains an important platform in our pursuit of bridging the digital divide.
National Digital and future skills conference
Programme Director, last month on the 26-27 October, at East London ICC in the Eastern Cape, we hosted a highly successful National Digital and Future Skills Conference. Successful not merely by its organisation and attendance, but by the quality of the speakers and the resolutions that were made at that conference.
Throughout the conference , we delved deep into the world of digital skills, exploring emerging technologies, best practices, and the impact of digitalization on various industries. We also discussed the importance of inclusive digital education, bridging the digital divide, and promoting diversity within the ICT sector.
The commitment that were made over two days at this conference, demonstrated that the conference was not just a platform for dialogue; but was a true incubator for action. The insights we gained will serve as building blocks to shape our collective digital future.
One of the key resolution we took at this conference was that the Digital Skills Forum, which is forum envisaged by the implementation plan of the Digital Skills Strategy, must be convened and launched before the end of this calendar year.
This forum, to be chaired by the Minister, will serve as an institutional mechanism for reporting on all digital skills initiatives in the country. It will report to Human Resource Development Committee which is chaired by the Deputy President and focusing on the broader human capacity development in the country.
At this inaugural Digital Skills Forum, to be held before the end of the year, the forum will receive a report of the Nation digital and future skills conference, inclusive of the resolutions. We are looking forward to Huawei, as part of the industry players involved in digital skills, development to attend the Digital skills forum.
Together, we must ensure that the benefits of the digital age are accessible to all, regardless of background or circumstance. Scaling up skills development to support innovation and the digital revolution is an investment in the future. It's not only about empowering individuals with the tools to succeed but also about driving economic growth and societal progress. By embracing these principles, we can unlock the full potential of the digital age and foster a culture of innovation and adaptability.
The demand for individuals proficient in various digital domains is growing exponentially, and as we've seen, the right skills can open doors and career opportunities. Skills development, fostering innovation and navigating the digital revolution requires a holistic approach to skills development. This includes both technical skills like coding, data analysis, and cybersecurity, as well as soft skills like creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability.
ICT impact on the economy
Information and communication technology (ICT) skills are in great demand for most industries. The ICT sector enables economic growth by broadening the reach of technologies and making it easier for people to interact and more productive. Therefore, having appropriate and relevant ICT skills is essential for future growth potential and prospects in transition economies.
The ICT progress has a significant influence on macroeconomic outcomes, and it is widely recognized as an important factor of the transition toward a new economic system. As it stands, South Africa does not have sufficient digital skills to participate and compete in the modern economy. Further to that, higher education institutions remain inaccessible to most South Africans. A process of rapid national transformation is therefore necessary to establish an education and skills development ecosystem that provides all South Africans with the skills required to create and participate in the economic and social opportunities in the digital economy. The Department’s National Digital and Future Skills Strategy sets out many layers at which digital skills should be given attention, and many mechanisms for advancing digital skills. Unless the digital skills divide is narrowed, a vast number of people in our country will remain on the fringes of the digital economy.
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2022 and SME South Africa note that 45% of emerging businesses have little to no new technology orientation and 50% consider technology access a challenge to growth and have insufficient skills for use. By increasing the adoption of technology, entrepreneurs can increase their contribution to economic growth by introducing innovative technologies, products, and services.
Impact of the partnership Huawei
Esteemed guests, in 2016 when this programme was started, the world was at the cusp of the 4th Industrial Revolution, and many countries were planning how to develop digital skills necessary for the deployment of artificial intelligence, internet of things, cloud computing, big data, 5G spectrum and related technologies.
Today, as we address the 2023 Seeds for the Future students, the technologies we deemed technologies of the future are here with us in full force.
Seed for the future partnership with Huawei
DCDT has been partnering with Huawei in ICT talent development through various programmes, such as 4IR talent development, Seeds for the Future, SMME digital skill transformation programme.
Through SMME digital skill transformation programme, more than 300 persons from various SMME companies have benefited from this wide impactive programme. The programme will continue to introduce the ICT technologies to more SMMEs so they can utilize the technologies to make their business operation more efficiently.
Seeds for the Future is Huawei’s global CSR flagship program, which was initiated in 2008. The program seeks to develop local ICT talent, enhance knowledge transfer, promote a greater understanding of and interest in the telecommunications sector, and improve and encourage regional building and participation in the digital economy.
On the 7th of November 2016 South Africa officially joined Huawei’s prestigious global training programme. In partnership with the Department of Telecommunication’s and Postal Services (DTPS) at that time, Huawei sent the first intake of 10 South African students to China for international training in Beijing and Shenzhen.
In 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Seeds program was successfully held in November her at Huawei Office Park, Johannesburg. Totally 12 students from 10 universities participated in the program. And South African team was placed in top 10 beating 79 other countries at Seeds for the future global Tech4Good competition, winning recognition for their project aimed at protecting South Africa’s rhino population from illegal poaching.
It is hoped that the South African Seeds 2023 team can make good performance int the global competition and shine on the stage.
Four Seeds students joined Huawei after the Seeds for the Future programme 2021, and their growth at Huawei proves the programme not only provides a learning platform and but also a career path for South Africa’s outstanding youth.
We ought to appreciate that DCDT through collaborations that we have with organisations such as Huawei, has managed to leapfrog the deployment and adoption of these technologies of the future.
Accelerating the adoption of SA digital products
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has initiated a South African digital portal called DigiTech, and the main objective of the portal is to collect data of South African digital products and accelerating digital platforms use and support the efforts to scale up digital trade services through transformative technology applications and E-commerce platforms as a way of positioning South Africa to compete in the Global Digital Economy (GDE).
Through this initiative, we looking forward to receiving more contribution from the class of 2023 Seeds of the Future participants, we are looking forward to them innovating in their respective spaces and continue the efforts to expand the reach and adoption of South Africa’s digital products.
Conclusion
I would like to take this moment to appreciate the contribution of Huawei towards digital skills development in the country and would like to thank you for your continued contribution towards the development of our country. We express our appreciation for the friendship and partnership in making South Africa a better place. We look forward to continued collaboration and cooperation.
To the students in our midst today, congratulations on making it into the Huawei Seeds for the Future Programme! I wish you well in this journey, it’s a great opportunity for you to showcase your talent and skills and build a legacy. You are not only the future of this great nation that we call home, but what you chose to do day-in and day-out will determine the future that you will realize. The future is indeed in your hands.
I made a remark at the Conference when I was thanking the various companies who made pledges to partner with our department to contribute to changing the digital skills landscape and position our country as among the best in the world, which I think best describes the event today. I said ‘The seed you are planting today will germinate and grow into a giant baobab tree, under which future generations will find refuge under its shade’. And so lets plant these seeds
Let me conclude with a quotation by former President Nelson Mandela, “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that generation”.
I thank you!
