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26 March 2025 | Story: Qhawekazi Memani| Photo: Supplied.
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) E-Skills Collaborative Laboratory (CoLab), in collaboration with the Moses Kotane Research Institute (MKRI), recently celebrated a significant milestone at the Vuma Development Centre in Eshowe: the completion of the Cell Phone Repair Programme.
This initiative, aimed at equipping the KwaZulu Natal (KZN) youth with essential technical skills, concluded with a certificate ceremony. In attendance were key stakeholders, including the KZN Department of Social Development and the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA).
For VUT, the programme underscores its commitment to bridging the digital divide and empowering communities through skills development. Speaking at the event, Ms Antoinette Lombard from VUT E-Skills CoLab highlighted the university’s role in advancing digital literacy and fostering entrepreneurship. She emphasised how initiatives like these align with VUT’s mission of preparing individuals for the evolving job market, particularly within the growing technology sector.
The event featured insights from key speakers who emphasised the significance of collaboration and skills development in driving economic empowerment. Ms Zama, ICT Manager at MKRI, highlighted the role of partnerships in fostering opportunities for youth and promoting self-sufficiency through technical skills training.
Stakeholders such as Mr Wikus Van Der Merwe from the Human Capacity Leadership Centre (HCLC), Mr Bongani Mkhize from EDTEA, and Mr Sqiniseko Khowa from the KZN Department of Social Development’s Youth Development Unit discussed the growing demand for mobile phone repair services and how participants could use their skills to pursue entrepreneurial ventures or enter the job market.
In a keynote address, Dr Simphiwe Buthelezi, Executive Manager of Development at MKRI, congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to apply their skills in ways that contribute to innovation and community development. She underscored the broader impact of skills-based programmes in shaping future entrepreneurs and enhancing local economies.
Through strategic collaborations like this, VUT E-Skills CoLab continues to champion digital skills development, bridging gaps in access to technology training and unlocking new economic opportunities for youth. As the demand for mobile technology services grows, initiatives like the Cell Phone Repair Programme play a pivotal role in equipping individuals with practical, in-demand skills for a sustainable future.
