In a tangible effort to mitigate youth unemployment and address the prevailing digital divide, a newly established Cell Phone Repair Learnership has been introduced in Soweto. This initiative seeks to equip local youth with essential technical competencies, sector-specific knowledge, and entrepreneurial skills pertinent to the expanding mobile technology industry.
Pathways to Sustainable Employment
The programme targets unemployed youth aged 18 to 35, prioritizing individuals from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. Participants engage in a blended curriculum, integrating theoretical instruction with practical, hands-on training in the diagnosis and repair of a range of mobile devices, from basic feature phones to sophisticated smartphones.
Beyond technical instruction, the initiative encompasses business development components. Learners attend workshops on customer service, marketing strategies, and foundational business management—skills indispensable for those intending to establish small repair enterprises.
Institutional Collaboration and Support
The learnership operates through collaboration with regional technical colleges, private repair enterprises, and community development organizations. It is endorsed and supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), as well as the Media, Information, and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA).
Each participant receives a monthly stipend and is provided with professional repair toolkits, thereby facilitating immediate application of acquired skills—whether through self-employment or formal sector opportunities within the mobile repair ecosystem.
Preliminary Outcomes
According to Sipho Molefe, Programme Coordinator at the Soweto Youth Empowerment Centre, the intervention is already yielding positive results. He remarks, “We’ve seen young people transform in just a few weeks. They’re more confident, they have a sense of purpose, and they’re eager to contribute to their communities.”
Testimonies from current participants reinforce this observation. Naledi Khumalo, aged 23, states, “Before this, I didn’t know anything about electronics. Now, I can fix screens, troubleshoot software issues, and even advise customers. I want to open my own repair shop one day.”
Application Process
Applications for the subsequent intake will open in August 2025. Eligibility requires a minimum of a Grade 10 qualification and residency in Soweto. Application forms are accessible at the Soweto Youth Empowerment Centre or may be downloaded via the Centre’s official website.
Conclusion
Given the centrality of smartphones within contemporary economies, the Cell Phone Repair Learnership constitutes a pragmatic and responsive intervention. By imparting technical skills and fostering entrepreneurial capacity, the initiative presents a viable pathway towards self-reliance, innovation, and socio-economic advancement for Soweto’s youth.
