Cloud, Code, and Connection: The AfriGIS Strategy for Youth Empowerment

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – As South Africa continues to grapple with a critical shortage of high-value digital skills, AfriGIS is doubling down on its commitment to youth empowerment. In a strategic partnership with Go Fourth, an accredited training provider, AfriGIS has launched the latest iteration of its 12-month Professional Learning Programme in IT Systems Development. This initiative is specifically designed to tackle the twin challenges of chronic youth unemployment and the scarcity of specialised technical talent that currently hinders the local economy.

This year, six talented delegates have been selected to undergo a rigorous dual-phase journey that balances theoretical foundations with intensive practical application. The programme structure consists of six months of classroom training at Go Fourth’s campus followed by six months of immersive, on-the-job mentorship within the AfriGIS environment. This curriculum is purposefully built to meet the demands of the modern global tech economy, providing hands-on experience in essential disciplines such as C# and Java programming, large-scale database design, and cloud technology specialising in Amazon Web Services (AWS).

AfriGIS CEO Rochelle Mountany emphasises that in an era where software development is a critically scarce skill globally, the company views this initiative as more than just a training exercise. For AfriGIS, it is a core responsibility to build sustainable pathways that strengthen the entire African technology ecosystem, ensuring the next generation of developers is equipped to lead in an increasingly data-driven world. This sentiment is echoed by Go Fourth’s Sales and Marketing Director, Brad Thomas, who highlights the importance of equipping learners with resilient, industry-recognised skills that can withstand the rapidly changing demands of the global sector.

The human element of this technical journey is perhaps best captured by Treasure Baloyi, AfriGIS Product and Project Development Manager, whose own career began not in a with a high-end computer, but with a pen and a piece of paper. Before he was headhunted by Microsoft, Baloyi spent his early years writing code by hand on paper, fuelled by a fascination with how systems like Windows functioned. He notes that success in this industry is not defined by the tools one starts with, but by the hunger to learn and create. At AfriGIS, the goal is to foster that same grit and curiosity, showing delegates that with a relentless drive, there is no limit to where their talent can take them – even to the most prestigious tech stages in the world.

To excel in this fast-evolving landscape, AfriGIS HR Executive Christa Welthagen notes that learners must become comfortable with being uncomfortable. She asserts that in this field, boredom is a signal that one isn’t pushing the boundaries of their potential. While the programme provides the foundation and the world’s knowledge is at their fingertips, the expectation is for delegates to go beyond what is provided and actively drive their own empowerment.

By the end of this 12-month cycle, these delegates will emerge with international certifications and the proven experience required to thrive, setting a new standard for how private-sector partnerships can solve the skills crisis and drive shared prosperity across Africa.