Mixo Ngoveni, Tech Advocate and Red Bull Basement partner.

Studies show that while the youth unemployment rate in South Africa currently sits at 45,5%, jobs are available in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. (STEM) - but local STEM experts are few and far between. 

This has led to local jobs in the space being outsourced to large multinational companies from China, India and the US – setting South African youth who are already behind, at a greater disadvantage.

Beyond the employment crisis, the lack of experts in the tech space impedes the growth of the South African economy, as technological progress is key to changing economies and societies.

Identifying the gap

These stats are indicative of the gaps and the unequal opportunities in the South African education system, as well as the lack of support for youth who hold great potential to grow in the tech space. Furthermore, they highlight the need for mentorship – where experts teach the next generation, empowering them with the necessary knowledge and skills.

The reality is that while an individual can have the necessary ambition and self-motivation in place to secure a role in STEM or come up with a life-changing innovation – it takes way more than this to make it big.

What is the solution?

In order for the next generation to be empowered, mentorship is necessary. This is where initiatives such as the Red Bull Basement for example – an initiative dedicated to empowering the next generation of innovators to conceive, develop and launch their outstanding ideas, accelerated by AI technology – plays a crucial role.

Programmes such as this are key to giving South African entrepreneurs and innovators an opportunity to put their ideas into action, grow their startups, and present their innovations, as well as put South Africa on a global map. 

For example, the winners of Red Bull Basement get to represent the country at a Global Final in Tokyo. Not only does this further the innovations of the next generation, but it exposes the potential of South Africa to the world – which is key to boosting the South African economy. Further to this, it inspires the next generation.

Innovators today are driven by a sense of purpose and entrepreneurial ambitions. Hence, the need for empowerment initiatives that will provide access to networking opportunities, collaboration, and expert mentor workshops aimed at supporting their goal to disrupt the status quo holistically with technology.

Beyond this, collaboration from the private and public sectors is needed, as it is also key to driving change and closing the gaps in the South African tech space. 

Young people need to be exposed to the relevant information from the high school level – setting the necessary foundation for them to think innovatively while helping them build the courage to go into the tech space at the university level.

By educating tomorrow’s tech talent and supporting youth-led and tech-enabled start-ups, we can foster South Africa’s long-term growth and success for youth within this space.