On Monday, 16 June, South Africans gathered in remembrance of the 16 June 1976 Soweto Uprising, observed as Youth Day.
The significance of education in the 16 June 1976 Soweto Uprising lies at the very heart of the protest since education was both the cause of the uprising and a powerful symbol of the broader struggle against apartheid.
Observed this year under the theme: “Skills for the changing world – Empowering youth for meaningful economic participation”, youth month highlights the urgent need to prepare young people with the skills essential for today’s evolving global economy and to ensure their active involvement in creating economic opportunities for themselves.
Aptly under this theme, Engen proudly celebrated the power of education and digital empowerment by spotlighting the inspiring journeys of young people whose lives have been transformed through the Engen Community Computer School and the Engen Global Citizen Development Programme (EGCDP).
Thobeka Ngobese from Umlazi graduated from Engen’s free four-month computer course in December last year and has since progressed into the year-long, accredited ICT (Information and Communication Technology) learnership offered by EGCDP.
Another stand out student is Natasha Moonsamy from South Durban who said that the free course has ignited an entrepreneurial spark in her. “This was my stepping stone. It helped me develop discipline, study habits, and a vision for the future. I even started my own PC repair business,” she said.
Their stories represent just two of the 17 top-performing students who graduated from the computer school and were accepted into the EGCDP. The EGCDP offers NQF Level 4 and 5 qualifications in Technical Support and Systems Development, combining theory and workplace experience to build industry-relevant ICT capabilities.
Engen’s CSI Manager, Olwethu Mdabula said: “Since its launch in 2009, the Engen Community Computer School in Wentworth has trained 3374 unemployed individuals in foundational digital skills, all free of charge. Recent impact data showed that 28% of graduates gained employment, 10% pursued further studies while 6% progressed into structured learnerships like the EGCDP. We believe that education is the key to economic freedom. This Youth Month, we salute the resilience and ambition of South Africa’s youth and reaffirm our commitment to creating tangible opportunities for them to succeed.”
