The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli, has expressed concerns that the province’s youth are not venturing into entrepreneurship in the tech sector. He spoke on the issue recently while announcing a partnership with one of the telecommunications companies in the country.
Ntuli unveiled a landmark partnership with telecommunications giant MTN, aimed at expanding internet connectivity in rural areas and equipping young people with critical digital skills last week. Ntuli expressed disappointment at the low uptake of the KZN Youth Fund by tech-based enterprises. Despite the province’s youthful population, where nearly half of residents are under 20, he said few young entrepreneurs are venturing into digital businesses.
He implied that issues of connectivity could be one of the problems in attracting the youth to the sector. “Our observation has been that, like their global counterparts, many of our youth seek to start internet-based businesses and help build ICT-based companies akin to those in Silicon Valley. However, we have found that internet and cell phone network connectivity, especially in rural areas, remains a major barrier,” Ntuli said.
He stated that this must change: “Young people do not need handouts or favours; they need tools and the environment to compete for jobs. They need skills to thrive in the digital and cyber space. This is not optional; it is the bedrock of inclusive growth,” he added.
“It is time for the KwaZulu-Natal Government to modernise, to speak the language of the youth, and ‘get with the programme.’ The public service must shed its reputation as a paper-based, inefficient employer,” Ntuli stated.
Dr Sabelo Gwala, Special Advisor to the Premier, highlighted Ntuli’s longstanding commitment to digital empowerment. “While leading SALGA, Honourable Premier Ntuli launched the SALGA Tech Games, where municipalities hosted coding classes and competed in computer coding competitions. This initiative fits into and continues that vision; urging young people to ‘get with the programme,’” Gwala said.
He added that the Premier has issued a direct challenge to the 2,000 sites, including traditional courts, clinics, and libraries, to leverage their 500GB of free monthly data to digitise public services, cut bureaucratic delays, and eliminate red tape. “The Premier wants a public service where young people feel understood and appreciated, as employees in the public service and as citizens,” Gwala concluded.
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