In a world increasingly shaped by digital technology, access to IT skills and cyber security knowledge is no longer a luxury but a fundamental inference on human rights. The Southern African Association of Youth Clubs (SAAYC) recognises this reality and has taken action through its ICTage Programme—an initiative designed to empower young people especially in historically disadvantaged communities by equipping them with practical IT and Cyber Security skills to break cycles of poverty and unemployment. By ensuring that youth from marginalised backgrounds have equal access to digital education, the ICTage Programme aligns with the principles of human rights, equality, and digital inclusion. It provides a pathway for young people to actively participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), ensuring that no one is left behind in an increasingly digital world.
Digital Skills as a Human Right in the 4IR Era
Access to technology and digital education is not just an economic necessity—it is steadily becoming part of the charter of human rights. The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights both emphasize the right to education, work, and participation in society. In the digital age, this must include access to IT training, cyber security knowledge, and digital literacy. However, in many historically disadvantaged communities, young people face systemic barriers that prevent them from fully participating in the digital economy.
– Limited access to IT education many schools in these communities lack the resources to provide adequate computer training.
– Unemployment and poverty, without digital skills, young people struggle to find sustainable employment.
-Digital divide, A lack of exposure to cyber security and IT innovation keeps many youths from taking advantage of new opportunities.
The ICTage Programme directly addresses these challenges, positioning digital education as a tool for social justice and human right
ICTage: Breaking Barriers in Historically Disadvantaged Communities
The ICTage Programme is designed to bridge the digital divide by providing practical, entry-level IT training through SAAYC’s CISCO-accredited training. By focusing on young people in historically disadvantaged communities, the programme ensures that those who have been excluded from the digital economy are given the tools to thrive in the 4IR era.
Key Elements of the ICTage Programme:
- Practical Computer Skills Training
– Digital literacy and essential software proficiency.
– Computer hardware and software maintenance.
– IT troubleshooting and basic networking skills.
- Cyber Security Education
– Protecting personal and organizational data.
– Combating online threats and misinformation.
– Ethical digital engagement and online privacy.
- CISCO-Accredited IT Courses
– IoT (Internet of Things): Understanding how smart devices shape the future.
– IT Essentials Software and Hardware: Building a foundation in computer systems.
– Introduction to Cyber Security: Preparing youth for careers in online safety and data protection.
These trainings ensure that young people from marginalized backgrounds can gain marketable digital skills and break into the formal economy, entrepreneurship, and innovation-driven sectors.
Digital Empowerment as a Tool for Social Justice
For historically disadvantaged communities, digital skills are more than just a career advantage—they are a means of reclaiming economic and social power. ICTage fosters digital citizenship, ensuring that young people can: Exercise their rights online: Understanding digital privacy, cybersecurity, and freedom of expression. Access employment opportunities: Gaining the skills needed to compete in the digital job market. Advocate for social change: Using technology to amplify community voices, expose injustices, and promote equality.
By placing digital education at the heart of youth empowerment, ICTage is breaking the cycle of exclusion and ensuring that young people in historically disadvantaged communities can actively participate in shaping their future.
Closing the Digital Divide: A Call to Action
The ICTage Programme is not just about teaching IT skills—it is about ensuring that all young people, regardless of background, have equal access to the opportunities of the digital age. To achieve true human rights and equality, South Africa must continue investing in digital inclusion, IT education, and youth empowerment.
By expanding the reach of ICTage SAAYC aims to:
– Provide IT training to more rural and township communities.
– Strengthen partnerships with existing tech companies and infiltrate new ones to increase job placement opportunities.
– Support youth-led digital initiatives that drive local economic development.
In a society where access to technology determines access to opportunity, digital literacy is no longer optional—it is a human right. The ICTage Programme stands as a beacon of hope, proving that with the right resources, young people can break barriers, transform their communities, and claim their rightful place in the digital world.
By: Londeka Msibi
SAAYC Public Relations Assistant
