The Sunday News
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
MORE than 100 young people from Bulawayo South Constituency graduated in various Information Communication Technology (ICT) courses yesterday that were offered for free with the assistance of their Member of Parliament, Cde Raj Modi, and a local digital hub.
The courses were being offered to willing participants who were keen on developing their ICT skills and also hoping to have their own start-ups in that area and further employ other youths. Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Judith Ncube said it was vital to be abreast with latest ICT trends.
“We are here to celebrate and honour a dream that has come to fruition, Salcon Tech Hub is doing a good job in ensuring that women, youths and children are empowered with ICT skills. The world is ever advancing technologically hence it is important to be empowered technologically and to be ICT literate.
Salcon has managed to keep the youths out of the streets by empowering them with skills that will see them being self-reliant. It is pleasing to note that children as young as four years are being taught to create movies using sophisticated software,” she said.
Member of Parliament for Bulawayo South Cde Modi who assisted the company with premises to carry out their training and other support also attended the graduation ceremony.
“ICT is very important for us to achieve our goal of having an upper middle-income society by 2030. Therefore, skills development in this sector must be taken seriously as it will enhance skills of young people nurturing their careers. I have seen that some young people as young as four years old have interest in this area and they have a lot of time to nurture their skills in ICTs.
There are many opportunities for them in today’s world in this field. The modern world has shifted from the traditional way of communication to the use of ICTs hence we are here to witness that shift. We have a total of 118 students graduating after undergoing skills development programmes such as graphic designing, web designing, cellphone repairs and many more,” said Cde Modi.
He also commended the director or Salcon Tech Hub which was facilitating the training.
“I further extend my gratitude to Mr Archbald Siziba the executive director of Salcon Tech Hub for driving the ICT skills development in Bulawayo South. We need to come together as a society to support such a great initiative by all means possible so that it will not die a natural death,” he said.
Mr Siziba thanked the parents and guardians of the children who were entrusted to him for the training courses.
He also expresses his gratitude to Cde Modi. — @NyembeziMu
