In an increasingly digitised world, the trend of young South Africans competing for jobs in an environment where those with an innate understanding of ICT are at an advantage is set to become more stark.
For Masabata Chabelli, one of 10 finalists in the MTN Foundation’s Women in Digital Business Challenge, the idea that skills are essential if you want to succeed was planted in her by her father. He began teaching Chabelli that obtaining skills would unlock her dreams while she was in primary school. And many years later, she is passing on the message to children attending courses at her New Dawn Skills Hub in Bloemfontein.
But the lesson is more than verbal. Children attending her after-school centre also learn about the basics of coding and robotics. Moreover, the fingers flashing across keyboards are those of kids as young as five. For the tech teacher turned entrepreneur, homework still comes first, but then it’s on to computers and mobile phones where kids learn skills that include 3D printing and laser cutting, which Chabelli believes will give them an edge in future job markets.
“It bothered me that when I matriculated from a technical high school, I still felt that my classmates and I weren’t ready for the world of work. I went on to get a diploma in technical education but always felt a gap existed in our educational system. I believe that education should be proactive and that instead of waiting until we finish school to begin learning essential skills, it should be a process that begins at school,” she says.
As one of the few independent learning centres in Bloemfontein, Chabelli has found that her work extends to parents who believe that maths and science skills should only be given additional attention if children are struggling. “Children have open minds and are always ready to try new things,” she says, pointing out that when it comes to coding and robotics, most of her pupils see the courses as fun rather than essential skills.
She is grateful that when spreading her entrepreneurial roots, MTN helped fill essential knowledge gaps. The additional marketing, financial, and time management skills she gained in an MTN sponsored development course she attended have proved to be invaluable. The experience also gave her the confidence to answer an MTN SA Foundation advertisement calling on women in digital business to take up the challenge of matching skills against other women and competing for a share of a R1 million cash prize. That confidence saw her walking away with a cheque for R100 000 that will take her business to new heights.
“MTN SA Foundation is taking action to help us,” says Chabelli. “The members understand that small business owners don’t want handouts, but they have a lot to deal with, and getting practical help with business skills is the way to go. With the money, I have been able to invest in more laptops, electronic components, robotics kits, and a visualiser. This will help New Dawn to grow and add more learners to our courses. We started with nine children and now have 23 and a staff of four.” Regarding her long-term plans, she adds that in future she would like to expand and have New Dawn offering courses in rural areas where children don’t have access to the facilities available in cities.
“The New Dawn story is inspirational as it demonstrates how South African women are using their business skills to make a difference by helping close gaps in education and other vital sectors,” says Angie Maloka, senior manager for community programmes at the MTN Foundation. “The MTN SA Foundation believes that in a country where there is a skills shortage, women are ready to stand up to show what they can achieve. We are proud to have contributed to the development of the STEM sector by helping enable our ten finalists to change the face of ICT in South Africa.”
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