A remarkable milestone in empowering young talent, creating job opportunities, and advancing ICT skills in rural communities. Photos: Lebogang Mathaba
By Hunadi Mothlala and Renae Manenzhe – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), where the digital divide and unemployment are prevalent, the University of Limpopo (UL), in collaboration with Samsung and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), hosted a certification award ceremony for the inaugural cohort of the UL Software Development Programme
This initiative aims to bridge the digital gap and equip youth with ICT skills to improve their employment opportunities.
The graduation ceremony, attended by UL executive management, DTIC representatives, and senior Samsung personnel, provided an opportunity for Samsung to reaffirm its commitment to investing in ICT education, particularly to empower black youth in rural communities. The programme addresses unemployment and contributes to economic development in Limpopo. It is part of Samsung’s R280-million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), launched in 2019 in collaboration with the DTIC.
UL became Samsung’s collaborative partner in June 2023, tasked with delivering two cohorts (50 students in total) in Introduction to Multi-Platform Software Development and Digital Social Innovation over two years. The Limpopo Digital Innovation Lab officially launched on 6 March 2024. By February 2025, the first cohort had completed the theoretical curriculum and presented their projects to a panel of industry experts, including representatives from Samsung and potential employers.
The results for the first cohort are as follows: 24 students successfully completed the programme, one student exited due to personal circumstances, and 10 graduates have already secured permanent employment. UL views this partnership as a critical step in combating youth unemployment and fostering positive community change. The university is actively liaising with employment partners to place the remaining graduates.
Isaac Maredi, Executive Director of ICT at UL, remarked,“Based on this progress, the programme is successfully achieving one of its main objectives, contributing to the growth of the tech industry in Limpopo and the country by producing skilled software developers ready to tackle real-world challenges. We are very grateful to our partners, particularly Samsung, which has, through its EEIP, contributed financially towards the equipment, tools, and refurbishment needed in our university lab.”
When the project began, UL identified a dedicated space for the Limpopo Digital Innovation Lab, but it required extensive refurbishments, including electrical work, fittings, carpeting, and equipment. With the support and guidance of its academic partner, the University of the Western Cape (UWC), the two institutions successfully established this strategic programme. In the absence of an accredited programme at UL at the time, UWC co-branded its EEIP-accredited programme for implementation in Limpopo to ensure that local students could benefit.
Maredi proudly noted that UL is now in the process of finalising accreditation for its own programme. He expressed gratitude for UWC’s active support in curriculum development, training programmes, and advice related to the growth of the Limpopo software development community. Importantly, he emphasised that UL’s partnership with Samsung has enabled the institution to deliver this innovative programme as part of its broader efforts to upskill students and contribute to the digital economy
Nicky Beukes, Samsung SA EEIP Project Manager.
Nicky Beukes, Samsung SA EEIP Project Manager, stated, “We are very proud of these graduates and what we have achieved together with our partners. Since inception, we have reached several key milestones, including our mission to empower young talent and advance ICT skills in the province.”
“In collaboration with UL, DTIC, and UWC, this programme has empowered the next generation of software developers through education and innovation, fostering growth and opportunity in rural communities,” concluded Beukes.
Bomkazi Maphoto, Programme Manager for EEIP at the DTIC
Bomkazi Maphoto, Programme Manager for EEIP at DTIC, commended the dedication of both the facilitators and the graduates, stating that this milestone is a testament to their hard work and commitment. “I commend Samsung and UL for their unwavering efforts to advance and empower the youth of Limpopo, especially in light of the many social challenges facing communities.”
UL, Samsung, and DTIC executives celebrate the graduates of the University of Limpopo’s Software Development Programme, a significant initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide, empowering youth, and enhancing ICT skills in rural communities
The best overall achiever of the programme, Mokgaetji Mashabela (26), from Ga-Matlala Blinkwater in the Mogalakwena Local Municipality, was unemployed when she enrolled in April 2024. Today, she is pursuing an internship with SITA under End-User Computing. She described the programme’s impact as life-changing. “There is so much to learn about software development. I can now develop apps and websites. Thanks to this programme, I will also be able to help my community solve technology-related challenges,” she said proudly.