Vodacom and Harambee: Creating Employment Opportunities for South African Youth

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Vodacom and Harambee: Creating Employment Opportunities for South African Youth

South Africa continues to grapple with a high youth unemployment rate, a persistent challenge that requires innovative, collaborative solutions from both the public and private sectors. Among the organizations leading the charge to combat this crisis are Vodacom, one of the largest telecommunications companies in Africa, and Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, a not-for-profit social enterprise focused on youth employability. Together, these two entities are helping to create pathways for young South Africans to enter the job market, gain meaningful work experience, and build long-term careers.

Understanding the Youth Unemployment Challenge

According to Statistics South Africa, the youth unemployment rate in the country is among the highest in the world. Many young people between the ages of 18 and 34 face multiple barriers to employment, including lack of access to networks, transport, internet, and training. Most of these job seekers are “Not in Employment, Education or Training” (NEET), making them especially vulnerable to long-term exclusion from the economy.

Addressing this issue requires more than just job creation. It calls for a holistic strategy that includes digital inclusion, skills development, access to information, and partnerships across sectors. This is where Vodacom and Harambee have stepped in to make a difference.

Who is Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator?

Harambee is a South African non-profit that was launched in 2011 to tackle youth unemployment. Its goal is to bridge the gap between employers and young, unemployed South Africans who are locked out of the job market. Harambee operates a scalable, data-driven model that identifies work-seekers, prepares them for employment, and matches them with opportunities.

Harambee is also one of the founding members of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) and the SAYouth.mobi platform, a zero-rated online network that connects young people to learning and earning opportunities.

Vodacom’s Broader Social Commitment

Vodacom has long been committed to inclusive development, especially through the use of technology. As part of its Vodacom Foundation initiatives and Digital Inclusion strategy, the company focuses on education, gender equality, digital literacy, and economic empowerment. Youth development is a core part of its social impact agenda.

In recognition of the fact that technology is a key enabler of opportunity, Vodacom has invested heavily in digital platforms, bursaries, internships, and learnerships. These programmes aim to equip young people with digital and business skills, preparing them for the evolving world of work

Vodacom and Harambee Partnership: A Closer Look

The collaboration between Vodacom and Harambee takes multiple forms, with one of the most notable being zero-rated access to the SAYouth.mobi platform. This means that any Vodacom user can access the site without using mobile data—an essential consideration in a country where data costs are high and act as a barrier for many.

The SAYouth platform is part of the National Pathway Management Network, an initiative of the Presidency and Department of Employment and Labour. Through SAYouth.mobi, users can:

Create a digital profile that employers can view

• Receive tips on CV writing and job interviews

• Get connected to support resources like mental health services and transport stipends

By eliminating the data cost barrier, Vodacom makes it easier for marginalized youth to stay engaged with the job-seeking process. This is crucial because a lack of consistent internet access often results in missed opportunities.

The Role of SA Youth Platform

The SAYouth.mobi platform is a central component of Harambee’s work and has become a go-to hub for millions of young South Africans. It is designed to be mobile-friendly and low-bandwidth, making it accessible even on basic smartphones. The platform currently connects over 3 million young people with opportunities and support.

Vodacom’s zero-rating of this platform is a powerful tool for digital inclusion. It ensures that even those without the financial means to buy mobile data can still actively seek employment and access development opportunities. This is especially impactful in rural areas where infrastructure is limited and unemployment rates are even higher.

Vodacom’s Internship and Graduate Programmes

While the SAYouth partnership is externally focused, Vodacom also runs several internal programmes aimed at empowering youth. These include:

1. Vodacom Internship Programme

This 12-month programme is aimed at unemployed graduates in fields such as IT, marketing, finance, HR, and engineering. Interns receive hands-on experience, mentorship, and exposure to Vodacom’s operations, with the potential for permanent employment at the end of the programme.

2. Vodacom Discover Graduate Programme

This is a rotational programme that allows top graduates to work across various departments in Vodacom’s ecosystem. Participants are trained in leadership, digital fluency, and agile methodologies, helping them to develop into future leaders

3. Youth Academy and Digital Skills Training

Vodacom’s Youth Academy offers free digital skills training in areas like coding, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. These courses are often delivered in partnership with government institutions and NGOs.

These programmes not only address the skills gap but also give young people tangible work experience, which is often cited by employers as a key requirement.

Broader Impact on the Ecosystem

The Vodacom-Harambee partnership aligns with several national development goals, including the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, which calls for the reduction of youth unemployment through coordinated, multi-sectoral interventions. By working together, Vodacom and Harambee serve as a model for public-private collaboration.

Their initiatives also contribute to the growth of the digital economy, which has been recognized as a high-potential sector for job creation. By giving youth the tools and access they need, both organizations help to ensure that more South Africans are able to participate in the fourth industrial revolution.

Testimonials and Real-World Impact

Many young South Africans have already benefited from these initiatives. Testimonials from users of SAYouth.mobi often cite how the platform provided their first real job opportunity. For others, Vodacom’s internships have opened doors to long-term careers in tech and business.

For example, a young woman from the Eastern Cape shared how she used SAYouth.mobi on her Vodacom phone to find a customer service job in her hometown. Another graduate of Vodacom’s Youth Academy is now employed as a network technician and mentors others in his community.

Conclusion: Empowering the Next Generation

The partnership between Vodacom and Harambee is a shining example of how technology and collaboration can be leveraged to solve pressing social issues like youth unemployment. By providing free access to job platforms, developing digital skills, and creating real employment opportunities, these organizations are not just addressing symptoms but working toward systemic change.

As South Africa continues to search for sustainable solutions to economic inequality and joblessness, partnerships like this one offer hope and a replicable model. The future of the country depends on the success of its youth—and thanks to initiatives like these, that future looks a little brighter