The Joburg Market Opportunity Centre is calling on unemployed youth and Small, Medium and Micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the City of Johannesburg to enrol for a free learning programme focused on skills development and networking.
The programme will also help SMMEs with digital literacy skills for running their businesses and advancing their skills set in artificial intelligence (AI) and adapting to technology, and cyber awareness for small businesses.
Interested applicants can visit the Joburg Market Opportunity Centre at 4 Fortune Street in City Deep on Tuesday, 3 March 2026, to register. Failure to come to the Opportunity Centre on the 03 March 2026 will result in applicants not attending the launch on 10 March 2026.
The initiative is a partnership between the City’s Department of Economic Development and private sector partners and forms part of the pilot Learn and Earn programme.
Akona Bavula, Joburg Market Opportunity Centre Manager, says the programme will equip participants with tech knowledge. “The expected outcomes include improved digital literacy, the formalisation of new start-ups, improved business sustainability and productivity, and enhanced employability and entrepreneurial capacity.”
Devan Naidoo, Dzuvhatech Chief Information Officer, say Dzuvhatech and the Department of Economic Development’s vision aligns with the National Development Plan of 2030, particularly in empowering and upskilling young people.
Naidoo says the course is structured around five pillars covering AI, capacity building, e-commerce and cyber awareness, market access and growth support, as well as business communication, effective presentation, data science and analytics. He adds that participants must maintain 100% class attendance to receive a certificate of completion.
Sipho Msolo, Dzuvhatech Chief Executive Officer, says the initiative is designed to create an ecosystem where participants learn from one another while generating income through a practical sustainable project. “The programme will focus on leveraging technology to advance their businesses and careers and create opportunities.”
Sameer Padayachee, Manager at Siyafunda adds that the collaboration between the Opportunity Centre and the private sector brings together different skill sets and strengths, making it both important and effective.
Applicants must have operating businesses, matric certificate, be South African and registered on the Opportunity Centres database.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi