South African software training academy raises funding from E Squared Investments
E Squared Investments has committed R9.2 million (about $600,000) to software programming training academy WeThinkCode_, to establish a new campus in Durban this July. The capital will be paid out over three years and will go towards equipping the building, staff resourcing as well as costs towards establishing the new curriculum. The new facility will complement the school’s existing campuses in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
WeThinkCode_ was established in 2015 with a mission to close the digital skills gap among South Africa’s unemployed youth. Since inception, the organisation has provided a combination of education, mentorship and vital digital skills to over 600 young Africans.
“As an impact investor whose mandate is to attack poverty and unemployment in South Africa, there are strong synergies between WeThinkCode_’s involvement in assisting disadvantaged young people and E Squared’s social entrepreneurship initiative,” said Cheryl Jacob, head of social entrepreneurship at E Squared.
Commenting on the drivers behind the Durban expansion, WeThinkCode_‘s CEO, Nyari Samushonga says, “The Covid pandemic has accelerated the digitisation process in businesses and demand for these skills is increasing exponentially. The Durban metropole, particularly, has seen significant growth in business activity over the past few years. Hence our decision to open a campus there to satisfy this need.”
“While much of our teaching is done online, we do have important teaching phases when our students need to come onto campus. In addition, there are two internship periods within the two-year course that need to be undertaken near our students homes. Youth in KwaZulu-Natal wanting a start in software programming can now apply for a place on their doorstep,” she adds.
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