Tag: skills development

Digital transformation in local government can dramatically improve service delivery, transparency and citizen engagement. This finding comes from research published earlier this year by Nelson Mandela University. The study, “Assessing the impact of digital technologies on service delivery in local government”, published in March 2025, concluded that digital initiatives enhance efficiency, improve citizen participation and increase transparency.

The Skills Development component of B-BBEE scorecards has created a large and robust training industry. However, while many organisations deliver quality learnerships and skills programmes, an alarming number exploit the system and the corporate sponsors of learnerships. The consequences extend far beyond financial loss.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept waiting on the horizon. It is here. And it is moving fast. For South Africa, a country facing structural challenges but rich in ingenuity and potential, AI brings both monumental opportunities and real risks. The question is no longer whether we will participate in this new world of AI. The real question is how.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of South Africa's economy. They contribute more than R5 trillion in turnover and account for roughly 34% of the country's GDP. SMEs also employ 11.4 million people. These vital economic engines drive innovation, create jobs and fuel growth across the nation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming the engine room of South Africa’s economic future. Across sectors, from banking and insurance to healthcare and retail, AI systems are transforming how decisions are made and how services are delivered. They are also changing how organisations compete.

If you ask any South African tech leader what keeps them up at night, chances are the answer will not just be the country’s unreliable energy grid or regulations. You can add skills to that list as well. More precisely, the lack thereof. As businesses push ahead with digital transformation, the demand for specialised IT skills has never been higher.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills revolution is no longer a future concept or speculative technology. Generative AI is here now. It is rapidly reshaping industries and rewriting the rules of competitiveness. In South Africa, generative AI holds immense potential. It can drive inclusive economic growth, boost productivity and spark entrepreneurial innovation.

Three months into 2025, most new year “trends” articles have run their course. It is helpful to know what is coming. Businesses also need to understand where they must evolve to stay relevant. However, one constant remains clear in all this. Communication continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace.

South Africa’s youth unemployment rate stands at an alarming 44.6% for individuals aged 15-34. This sobering statistic reflects challenges such as limited work experience, educational gaps and economic hurdles.

Competence forms the foundation of a secure and efficient workplace. It equips employees with skills to execute tasks proficiently. Additionally, competence fosters adaptability to industry changes and technological advancements. In workplace safety, it elevates technical expertise into accurate risk assessment.