Samsung’s EEIP skills development initiatives in collaboration with Ocule IT include – the Electronics Technician Programme and Enterprise Development Bootcamps for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These programmes focus on igniting economic growth in the country’s rural provinces, including Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) and the Eastern Cape. Ocule IT is an application development company that serves as the training and development partner for Samsung’s EEIP initiatives in South Africa.

For Samsung, there is an ongoing need to ensure that these EEIP programmes offered in rural provinces in the country are able to drive positive social change and empower both individuals and communities in a meaningful way. Importantly, these EEIP programmes aim to foster innovation and promote environmental sustainability to build a better future. It is for this reason that these partners have taken the time to speak to two beneficiaries from the Samsung, Ocule IT programmes that are based in the Eastern Cape and KZN. The conversations aimed to gather insights from the beneficiaries about the impact of these programmes on their lives; and this is what they had to say:

Siphindile Nonhlanhla Mazibuko is a 26-year old beneficiary who is originally from Mtubatuba in KZN. She studied Electrical Engineering at Majuba TVET College which provided a solid foundation in electrical systems, circuits and principles. She got involved with the Samsung Ocule IT programme through an application process after learning about the initiative’s focus on developing technical skills in electronics. The programme’s emphasis on practical training and industry-relevant skills aligned with her interests in electrical engineering. She saw this as an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and a chance to enhance her employability.

Through the programme, Siphindile said: “I acquired a range of in-demand, technical and soft skills that included Electronics Repair and Maintenance – a hands-on training in diagnosing and repairing electronic devices. The training also included Troubleshooting expertise which involved developing problem-solving skills to identify and fix faults in electronic systems. In addition, I gained some valuable, practical experience when I worked with various electronic devices and equipment; as well as some field-oriented skills that included learning about the latest technologies and industry standards,” she added.

The second participant is Yonela Kohlwa who is originally from East London currently residing in Kwa-Zakhele, Gqeberha. She studied Electrical engineering at Iqhayiya College and in November 2023 – she decided to apply for the Samsung Ocule IT learnership. In 2024, she went for an interview and was accepted. Yonela said: “It was a great experience being in this programme, I have learnt a lot of new skills that include soldering, installing windows and software on PCs. Now, I’m even able to fix kettles and stoves; and I can also change screens of PCs as well as do housekeeping.”

Samsung Ocule IT EEIP programmes are continuing to achieve their objectives of stimulating economic growth and job creation by developing sought-after skills in the ICT and electronics sectors. Importantly, this is testimonial evidence of the fact that the programmes are providing targeted skills development to previously disadvantaged youth – with the ultimate aim of improving their employment prospects. 

In 2019, Samsung in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) launched this EEIP initiative which was formulated specifically to address some of government’s priorities as well as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) challenges faced by South African youth from underprivileged communities.

Through strategic public, private partnerships (PPPs) with various institutions of higher learning, government and the private sector; Samsung’s EEIP programme has over the years managed to make a tangible impact in the lives of the youth in the country. The FIL at UWC in particular, is now a driving force in South Africa’s digital transformation agenda. Established in 2019 through a multi-year partnership with Samsung, the FIL creates pathways for young people to thrive in the digital economy through cutting-edge training, applied research and inclusive innovation.

The FIL equips students not only with strong foundations in software development and digital social innovation, but also with the advanced skills needed for emerging careers in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven software development. Through its work-integrated learning streams and close collaboration with industry, the FIL ensures graduates are job-ready for the rapidly evolving AI and technology landscape.

A large number of young individuals who were part of Samsung’s EEIP programme across the country have now been able to overcome challenges, secure meaningful employment and drive positive change within their communities. In an effort to show evidence of these tangible results from individuals who were impacted specifically by the FIL programme at UWC; Samsung is now bringing testimonial stories that are highlighting the journeys of the participants as well as their personal growth achieved through this programme:

Buhle Mcetywa, a 23-year old student from UWC says she found out about the EEIP software development (SWD) programme through the institution’s notice emails and applied. She had heard of it before through her professor while pursuing her degree in Chemical Sciences and decided to take part in this EEIP programme, namely the Multi-platform software development with an emphasis on C#, six (6) months after completing her degree. She went from not being able to write a line of code to being part of a team that built a gardening application incorporating an AI model for disease detection.

She added: “I gained a lot of experience from the programme and went from being a Chemist student to being able to read and write software in a space of 10 months. The regular presentations during the programme also helped me to become a better public speaker and communicator and now, this is a skill I’m actively working on developing further.”

Luke Padiachy, a 26 year-old who is originally from Eerste River in Cape Town said that his sister was part of the programme before him. Prior to enrolling, he didn’t have any tertiary education – he was just a general worker and about a year or two later, he met two colleagues who were part of the EEIP SWD programme.

He said: “At that time, I had gotten a promotion at work and was asked to train them on our new system. Getting to know them inspired me to apply for the programme as well. Honestly, I never thought I’d get in, but when that acceptance message came through, I was so surprised and excited. It really felt like someone was taking a chance on me and I’m so grateful they did.”

According to Luke, through the programme, he studied Multi-Platform Software Development and Digital Social Innovation for Impact and gained so much from being part of it. He believes that some of the programme’s benefits included access to tons of learning materials and he was introduced to a huge network of people in the tech world. They had guest lecturers like Scott Hanselman, VP Developer Community, Microsoft, and met so many tech influencers that they’d be able to look up when they needed help solving problems.

Luke explained: “The biggest benefit was that the programme helped me land my first tech job at Full Stack in Century City. We started as interns and then, got hired full-time. I learnt project management skills and the basics of coding which I use every day now as a Junior Developer. All of this experience now comes in real handy when I’m working with teams at my job. The programme has also taught us how to think through problems and solve them step by step, which made it so much easier to adapt to the real world of being a developer and, its been an amazing ride since then.”

Nicky Beukes, Samsung SA EEIP Project Manager concluded: “It’s quite satisfying to hear testimonies from the beneficiaries of the EEIP programme. To us, this says that together with our partners – we are achieving the objectives that we set for ourselves when we initially launched the EEIP programme. Together with UWC, this initiative reflects our strategic focus on graduate employability, socially responsive research and it’s strengthening the university’s role in South Africa’s innovation ecosystem. All of this is an affirmation of our commitment to empowering the country’s youth in in-demand skills needed by the local economy.”

The graduation ceremony which was held on 27 August 2025 provided Samsung an opportunity to reinforce its commitment of investing in ICT education, with the main aim of empowering black youth in the country’s rural communities. The aim of this programme is to address the challenge of unemployment and contribute to economic development in the Limpopo province. This programme forms part of Samsung’s R280-million worth Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) which was launched in 2019 in collaboration with the DTIC.

The University of Limpopo was initially on-boarded as Samsung’s collaborative partner in June 2023 and contracted to deliver two cohorts (50 students in total) in the Introduction to Multi-Platform Software Development and Digital Social Innovation over two years. The official launch of the Limpopo Digital Innovation Lab took place on 06 March 2024. By February 2025, this cohort had managed to complete the curriculum (theoretical part) and, in the same period, the team’s projects were also presented to a panel of industry experts, Samsung and potential employers.

According to the University of Limpopo, the status of the current programme’s cohort is as follows: 24 students have completed the programme successfully, one (1) student left the programme due to personal circumstances and 10 of these students have already found permanent employment. The University sees this partnership as a way of addressing youth unemployment and drive positive change in the community. For this reason, the University is currently playing a key role of liaising with employment partners and its own university structures to place the remaining number of students for employment.

Mr Isaac Maredi, Executive Director, University of Limpopo ICT said: “Based on this progress, the programme is indeed achieving one of its main objectives of contributing to the growth of the tech industry in Limpopo and the country; by producing skilled software developers ready to tackle real-world challenges. We are very grateful to our partners in particular Samsung that has, through its EEIP contributed financially towards the equipment, tools and refurbishment needed in our university Lab.”

When the project initially started, the University of Limpopo identified a dedicated space to house the Limpopo Digital Innovation Lab, but it required extensive refurbishments that included electrical, fittings, carpets and equipment; to name a few. Through the guidance and support from one of the institution’s academic partners, the University of the Western Cape – the two institutions were able to successfully establish this strategic programme. In the absence of an accredited programme from UL, the UWC co-branded its EEIP accredited programme for use in its own institution for the benefit of the student community in Limpopo.

Mr Maredi expressed with pride how the University of Limpopo is now in the process of finalising its accreditation for its own programme. He also explained just how grateful his institution is for the active support that it has received from UWC when it comes to curriculum development, employment training programmes and advice relating to the growth of the Limpopo software development community. Importantly, the university partnership with Samsung has help the institution to deliver this innovative programme that is part of their broader efforts to upskill students and contribute to the digital economy.

“The University of the Western Cape is honoured to celebrate the first cohort of Multi-platform Software Development and Digital Social Innovation in Limpopo. This partnership with Samsung and the University of Limpopo continues to create meaningful skills development, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities in our joint vision of addressing youth unemployment through strategically targeted interventions. We congratulate all the students on their hard work and wish them much success in their software development careers,” said Dr Wouter Grove, Manager, Future Innovation Lab at UWC.

Nicky Beukes, Samsung SA EEIP Project Manager added: “We are very proud of these graduates and what we have been able to achieve together with our partners. Since inception of the programme, there has been a number of key milestones that include the achievement of our key mission of empowering young talent and advancing ICT skills in the province.

“In collaboration with the University of Limpopo, DTIC and UWC – this programme has allowed us the opportunity to empower the next generation of software developers through education and innovation, fostering growth and opportunity in rural communities,” concluded Beukes.

In attendance were some dignitaries and partners that included Simon Lee, President and CEO, Samsung Africa, CEO of Tshimologong, Mr Mark Harris and Wits Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Lynn Morris. Sponsored by Samsung, this ICT training programme has been designed to provide recent graduates with hands-on experience, skills development and industry exposure to enhance their employability. The latest cohort of 18 graduates (including six females) was conferred with their certificates at the ceremony.

This 12-month software development internship programme offered at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Johannesburg, provides graduates with practical experience in cutting-edge technologies needed to thrive in the digital economy.  It also equips the youth with skills that prepare them for careers in the tech industry. Samsung’s investment in ICT education for unemployed youth, which includes the provision of stipends, equipment, data access, mentorship and access to facilities – aims to address the challenge of unemployment in the country.

This programme forms part of Samsung’s R280-million worth Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), which was launched in 2019. Through Samsung’s collaboration efforts with universities – the programme has been able to achieve significant milestones and some tangible opportunities have been created for these graduating students.

Together, the partners have managed to enhance employment prospects and are addressing some of the socio-economic challenges faced by the country’s youth and their respective community. For instance, in the first three (3) years of this programme, the partners were able to achieve 100% employment rate and the objective has been to ensure that the next cohorts have the same success. Nine (which is 50%) of the current graduates have already secured permanent employment, in part thanks to the skills they gained in the programme.

According to some of the alumni students from the programme – this ICT training taught them to think innovatively, collaborate effectively and take accountability. Importantly, after this ICT training – the students were able to delegate tasks and responsibilities as well as make objective decisions to prioritise their teams’ needs over personal preferences.

Reflecting on her journey, one of the graduates, Ms. Nqobile Biyela shared how the programme helped her become a real-world developer with some of the practical skills she gained. “The training I received at Tshimologong ensured that I the knowledge of coding to the application but were also taught to think differently, solve problems by collaborating in teams. I am now confident to apply my expertise in the world of work. The programme does not just teach you the technical skills but helps you build a career,” Biyela added.

The Tshimologong environment has over the years expanded the student’s professional network and enriched their personal growth – making them more open-minded and empathetic. Also, during the internship programme – the students saw the value of having different ideas, perspectives and experiences to a solution.

Mr Mark Harris the CEO of Tshimologong said: “As Tshimologong, we are extremely proud of the partnership with Samsung that allowed us the opportunity to run a programme to build world class software engineers. This programme creates valuable opportunities for graduates, most of whom already have a formal qualification in ICT or software engineering. This is not just about skills development, it prepares students for real work in software development and the world of innovation.”

He explained that these graduates have now been prepared to solve real world problems. From reporting municipal issues, to managing bakeries as well as improving collaboration and streamlining data for businesses – this programme ensured that Tshimologong turned theory into practice. The graduates were given the opportunity to build products with real-world application.

“As partners, we know that the tech world is changing fast and that we are now in the era of AI-accelerated innovation. We are also well aware of the fact that the rules are being rewritten and that learning a single development language is no longer sufficient. This is why we are now embedding AI tools from day one, enabling faster learning, more rapid prototyping and scalable innovation. Ultimately, this will allow our interns the opportunity to become innovators, founders and problem-solvers in their own right,” Mr Harris added.

Also important to note is that this programme not only focuses on developing technical skills in software development but also emphasises real-world project experience and mentorship. The programme has seen significant success, in particular – graduates have over the years gained proficiency in in-demand coding languages and software development skills. Furthermore, this initiative continues to strive towards reducing unemployment and fostering job creation in the tech sector. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Nicky Beukes, Samsung EEIP Project Manager said: “As Samsung, we know very well the transformative potential of ICT education in empowering individuals, particularly unemployed youth and how it can help to overcome socio-economic challenges and unlock new career opportunities. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to drive positive change within the community and the broader industry. Samsung is committed to assisting government in addressing the challenge of youth unemployment and this is evident from the programme’s impact highlighted in the previous success stories from alumni students who have benefited from the programme,” concluded Beukes.

This Samsung ED programme which aims to empower black-owned ICT and Service Centre enterprises to boost the economy and create jobs through entrepreneurship and business support – involves initiatives like grant funding, specialist business development support and access to supply chain opportunities for black-owned and women-owned small, medium and micro enterprises. This programme’s efforts are aligned with the country’s transformation goals and aim to foster a more inclusive economy. 

In an effort to inspire potential future participants coupled by Samsung’s need to measure the impact and effectiveness of its CSR initiatives – the company took the time to speak to two of the beneficiaries from the ED programme in the last few years. When asked how Samsung EEIP provided the participating SMME owners with the confidence and support needed to mean business about their businesses, this is what they had to say:

One of the beneficiaries is Thoriso Rangata. He is a 32-year-old, businessman and the owner of KTO Digital, which focuses on Business Process Automation, Software Development Services and Background Screening Software as a Service (SaaS) solution provider. Thoriso says from being part of the programme, he gained the reassurance and confidence he needed.

Thoriso based in Johannesburg, originally from Limpopo, became part of the programme when he responded to a public call for applications in 2020. At the time, his business, KTO Digital, needed support in order to meet the company’s growth objectives. Thoriso is a true example of how the programme is able to empowerment ICT entrepreneurship as well as stimulate job creation and assist in contributing to economic growth. 

Since being part of the EEIP programme, Thoriso’s company won the Nedbank Business of the Year Award in 2022. In the same year, his company launched their own product and received accreditation as a credit bureau business.

The support he received from the programme has allowed KTO Digital to create over 20 jobs between 2021 to date. This is in line with the programme’s objective of creating both direct and indirect jobs, with a particular emphasis on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and the development of township economy.

These achievements demonstrate how the EEIP programme has provided Thoriso and his team the opportunity to pursue their passions as well as bringing security and stability – not only to his employees but also to their families’ livelihoods. Thoriso explains, “the other direct benefits that KTO Digital received from being part of the programme included: Grant Funding, Asset Financing as well as Continuous Business Mentorship – and this, is exactly what our business needed in order to move forward.”

He added: “As a company, we strongly believe that the skills we acquired from this EEIP programme, which included Business regulatory governance structures and strategic business growth approaches/methods – have contributed to the success of our business to date. This programme has really helped us to achieve our goals, and it has taken our business to new heights.”

Based in Sinoville, Tshwane, the second EEIP beneficiary is Dumisani Mkhwebane – a 38-year-old businessman who co-owns and runs TIA-Solutions – an IT company with Boitumelo Mkhwebane – a 36-year-old, businesswoman. Their business focuses on Secure Scalable IT Solutions by building cloud infrastructure through collaborative team efforts. This provides their customers with resilience from cyber-attacks and contributes to productivity, efficiency as well as business continuity.

Dumisani explained further: “As TIA-Solutions, we partner with multinational vendors such as Microsoft, Fortinet and Veritas which allow us to give our customers end-to-end, tailor-made IT solutions that cater to their business needs.”

He also elaborated on how the company entered into the programme, Dumisani said: “We saw an advert on LinkedIn in 2023 about the EEIP Enterprise ED and decided to enter. We then received Capital Investment to buy computer equipment for our internal operations as well as company vehicles. In addition, we received Business Training and Skills development for our employees as well as other vital skills that we needed which included: Business Management Skills, Marketing and how to better position our company.

“The programme has both Financial and Non-Financial benefits for Business Growth and Sustainability,” Dumisani added. “It is for these reasons that we would like to encourage other SMEs to apply to be part of the programme. We strongly believe that the ED programme will help grow other SMEs like it did ours and it will help a great deal in upskilling their workforce.”

Importantly, this Samsung ED programme seeks to inspire potential future participants by demonstrating how the EEIP can help them kick-start their businesses. The tangible results articulated by these beneficiaries are a confirmation of Samsung’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and providing a reliable support system to SMEs in the country.

Nicky Beukes, Samsung South Africa EEIP Project Manager concluded: “It is clear from these testimonials that through the reassurance and confidence offered by this Samsung EEIP ED programme – we are slowly, but surely achieving our intention of shifting the perception of potential candidates from “I’m working on something” to “I run a successful business”. As Samsung, we are happy to be delivering according to our programme’s overall and multi-faceted objectives which include the creation of a more inclusive and prosperous society through strategic investments, skills development and entrepreneurial support.” 

According to research by Thrive CFO*: Small businesses in South Africa face numerous challenges, including access to funding, competition from larger companies, limited market reach, high operating costs, lack of skilled labour, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity threats, cash flow management, limited access to technology and environmental sustainability. *

To help small enterprises in South Africa to overcome some of these challenges, Samsung in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) has – under its R280-million worth Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), which was launched in 2019 – formulated programmes that address some of government’s priorities as well as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) challenges.

This multi-million rand EEIP programme aims to empower black owned and local SMEs with a particular focus on women and start-up businesses in the ICT sector. It supports skills development, enterprise development and job creation to contribute to black economic empowerment. The EEIP is part of Samsung’s broader commitment to social responsibility and economic development within South Africa.

Samsung’s EEIP programme is closely aligned to the overarching objectives of the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision for 2030 and South Africa’s framework of broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) – providing a mechanism for multi-nationals to contribute towards the development of black South Africans.

This framework has allowed our company to contribute to B-BBEE goals through alternative investments, including investments in black-owned businesses, ICT development and skills development. Our EEIP programme focuses on strengthening black economic empowerment by supporting ICT entrepreneurs and fostering technological advancement, ultimately contributing to socio-economic development and job creation. South Africa’s NDP envisions a thriving SME sector as a cornerstone of the country’s inclusive, resilient economy by 2030.

In essence, the NDP sees SMEs as a crucial engine for economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction. This strategic plan for South Africa’s future outlines various tactics to foster SME development and ensure their long-term success. Our government, which includes our collaborative partner, DTIC, believe that SMEs can create the majority of new jobs in the country – contributing significantly to economic growth as well as play a vital role in the reduction of poverty and inequality.

As Samsung, we also understand how much entrepreneurship contributes to job creation, community development and how it fosters innovation and drives economic growth. For that reason, Samsung EEIP programme and DTIC have opened the third Call to Market for the Transformative SME Development Programme – targeting suitable ICT entrepreneurs in the country, that are eager to grow their businesses for funding and support.

This transformative SME Development Programme seeks to support local entrepreneurs throughout their journey as well as driving a culture of innovation and digital solutions. So, in an effort to go beyond meeting our obligations towards government and demonstrate our ongoing investment in SME development – we are in the process of recruiting suitable SMEs to participate in this EEIP SME Development Programme with the ultimate aim of contributing to economic growth and job creation.

In the last two years, our criteria for this EEIP SME Development Programme focused on targeting SMEs that had been operating in the ICT and Service Centre space for at least a minimum of three years with a turnover that is less than R50M per annum. This year, our EEIP SME Development Programme “Call to Market” campaign for entries has gone with a unique approach that aims to make a tangible difference in the lives of local ICT SMEs. We have changed our focus to include start-up, micro-enterprises that are still in their infancy stage and also put a strong focus on women-owned businesses.

In collaboration with DTIC, we understand that start-up businesses are generally considered high-risk ventures, particularly in the early stages. We have therefore put in place some mitigating measures coupled with key performance indicators (KPI’s) to help manage these micro-enterprises efficiently and overcome any challenges that might come our way. The specific KPIs that are used in this EEIP SME Development Programme include:

• Economic Impact – looks at accumulative investment in SME development, capacity building as well as the contribution to the South African economy. Also, this KPI looks at job creation, growth in revenue and the profitability of supported SMEs.
• Enterprise Development – evaluates the number of SMEs specifically black-owned as well as those that are township-based and the number of businesses supported.
• Capacity Building: looks at the number of individuals trained or upskilled, improvements in business management skills as well as access to new markets and technologies. And lastly,
• Sustainability: The environmental impact of supported businesses, long-term viability of supported SMEs as well as the number of black-owned businesses and townships-based that are supported.

We made these changes because we understand the need to develop local start-up enterprises and also how gender representation plays a crucial role in the development of entrepreneurs in the country. Importantly, we strongly believe that gender inclusion in the ICT entrepreneurship space will help to unlock economic potential, drive innovation and create a more equitable and sustainable future.

With this new approach in this year’s EEIP SME Development Programme, we are now able to offer a larger pool of eligible ICT SMEs in the country an opportunity to access grant funding and enterprise development support to help propel their businesses to greater heights. This improved approach aims to identify gems in the market and offer them holistic support which also includes Business Development assistance (mentoring and coaching) to help in fostering growth, a dynamic and connected information society as well as a knowledge economy.

This essentially means that this holistic approach in our transformative EEIP SME Development Programme does not only focus on developing technical skills (for those organisations in the ICT sector), but also other key entrepreneurial capabilities such as soft skills that can help create sustainable businesses in South Africa and enable them to become engines for job creation.

Also, our business development initiatives include an Enterprise Development Bootcamp that is part of Samsung’s EEIP Programme – which helps young entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. This fast-paced four –month long, Bootcamp programme focuses on developing entrepreneurial skills and supporting Black-owned businesses in South Africa, particularly in the areas of Service Centre repairs and ICT. It aims to accelerate and grow businesses by providing entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, and financial support. 

Samsung’s EEIP programme – now in its seven years of sustained success and this Enterprise Development “Call to Market” which represents the 3rd edition of our programme seeks to continue making a measurable difference to the socio-economic development of black South Africans. This year’s call follows two successful cycles and forms part of our broader commitment to the ICT sector, SME development and Vision 2030.

This is our way of ensuring that we empower South Africa’s digital future by helping ICT entrepreneurs thrive as we deepen our commitment and collaboration with DTIC. The success of this EEIP SME Development Programme is highlighting the significant milestone of our EEIP in the country and the profound impact it has had on the nation’s ICT sector in conjunction with the DTIC.

Our programme’s alignment with South Africa’s Vision 2030 and its success to date – has positioned this transformative SME Development Programme as one of the notably -value adding EEIPs in the sector. Furthermore, our strong and successful collaboration with the DTIC in strengthening the ICT sector through the EEIP – now complemented by our focus on providing support to start-ups in the infancy stage while also ensuring gender representation in this year’s SME Development Programme – is a true testament to shared goals for national development in the country.

This Bootcamp which was piloted last year is a critical component of Samsung’s R280-million worth Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) and aims to equip entrepreneurs with the essential skills and knowledge needed to meet investor requirements and effectively approach the market. It is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs with experience in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field with innovative ideas and, this also includes start-ups and established enterprises aiming to scale or overcome challenges.

This bootcamp is an intensive training programme and focuses on areas that include business management, financial planning and pitching to investors; designed to empower young entrepreneurs, particularly those from underserved communities, with skills and knowledge to launch and grow their businesses. Sponsored by Samsung, this EEIP transformative initiative is prioritising alumni’s from the Ocule IT Electronics Technician/Artisan programme.

This programme is part of Samsung’s broader commitment to foster SME development and digital skills development in South Africa – leveraging local talent and expertise. Importantly, it is closely aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) and black economic empowerment goals that are designed to transform the country’s economy by empowering Black South Africans – fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.

Sanele Gcumisa, Managing Member of Ocule IT explained: “The launch of this Ocule IT and Samsung Enterprise Development initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs for investment readiness. This structured support seeks to ensure that participants are fully prepared to secure the needed funding to grow their businesses. This initiative underscores Ocule IT and Samsung’s commitment to foster entrepreneurship and drive economic growth by empowering businesses with business tools to become investor-ready.”

This bootcamp focuses on fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment – empowering a diverse range of participants who already have a foundation in the electronics sector, while also enhancing the programme’s relevance and effectiveness. The programme provides training in areas that are relevant to starting and scaling a business, such as business planning, marketing and financial management.

In particular, the structure of the Bootcamp involves a week-long intensive training session with masterclasses and opportunities to pitch business ideas for seed funding. The programme features a comprehensive five-day boot camp which took place the week of 07 – 11 July 2025 and will now be followed by a four-month incubation process that involves intensive mentoring.

During this period, participants will work on creating a professional data room – a critical tool that potential funders and investors use to evaluate businesses. Also, this programme will provide a direct financial contribution of R500,000 to support participants in their entrepreneurial journey and take their businesses to the next level.

A highlight of the initiative is the Pitch and Polish session, scheduled for the end of October 2025, where nine out of fifteen participants will have the opportunity to win cash prizes. These top performers are then divided into three categories, each comprising an average of five participants. The top three winners in the various tiers will be selected from each category, resulting in a total of nine winners. Following the Pitch and Polish session, the nine winners will undergo three months of monitoring as they submit their business plans and financials to potential funders and investors.

Nicky Beukes, Samsung South Africa EEIP Project Manager said: “For us at Samsung, this programme’s impact goes beyond mere investment – it is there to offer financial support to Electronics Technician Programme alumni as well as innovative ideas to start a business and those who already have established enterprises but require additional assistance. The Bootcamp offers a comprehensive programme designed to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of alumni and this, allows participants to gain access to seed funding, mentorship and business development workshops.”

This holistic approach ensures that participants are equipped not only with financial resources but also with the strategic insights and practical skills necessary to succeed in the competitive electronics industry. With this programme, Samsung is able to provide successful entrepreneurs with access to its supply chain, potentially creating further business opportunities.

Gcumisa added: “Because effective public, private partnerships (PPPs) are crucial to both our company and Samsung, we are also in the process of engaging with the KwaZulu-Natal Growth fund and Sefda including other business partners. Also, the plan is to have additional partners presenting in October closer to the Pitch and Polish stage to give final advice. All such activities will occur in the last quarter; however, the final details will be shared in due course. For now, the focus is to ensure that learners are presented with material that they can use to prepare for the Pitch and Polish.”

This valuable initiative aligns with Samsung’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, skills development and positive social impact in the country. In essence, the Samsung EEIP ED Bootcamp provides a platform for ICT entrepreneurs to gain the skills, knowledge and support they need to thrive and contribute to the South African economy.

Beukes concluded: “Our commitment to sustainable development in collaboration with Ocule IT ensures that the initiative contributes to long-term positive impacts on the local community. By empowering young entrepreneurs, the programme contributes to local economic participation and creates a more inclusive and innovative society.”

Samsung EEIP | Enterprise Development | Samsung South Africa

This Artisans’ skills development initiative – sponsored by Samsung’s R280-million worth Equity Equivalents Investment Programme (EEIP) – has successfully hosted training in both KZN and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) in Eastern Cape. Launched in 2019, Samsung’s EEIP which has demonstrated considerable success since its inception, seeks to continue to empower the country’s youth and women from previously disadvantaged communities with Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills.

This graduation ceremony included 20 youth from under-privileged backgrounds: eight (8) males and 12 women. The graduation event was not only an opportunity to celebrate the students’ success, but also to emphasise the role of the programme in driving local development and address the shortage of women in the ICT sector. Samsung does not only credit the success of this Electronics Technician Programme to the students, but also on the impactful collaboration between Ocule IT and other key stakeholders in government such as the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (Dtic) and the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) as well as several workplace partners in the private sector.

Nicky Beukes, Samsung EEIP Project Manager said: “As Samsung, we believe that the combined role of the programme’s key players as well as its strategic focus on critical skills development that’s tailored specifically to meet industry demands – is contributing positively to its main objectives of stimulating job creation in Kwazulu-Natal. We remain committed to sustained investment in ICT training and development to create a workforce equipped with essential, in-demand skills – as this has a significant impact on driving the success of the programme.”

This Electronics Technician programme specifically, seeks to develop sought-after artisan skills in the fields of electronics. These artisans were trained, guided and mentored by accredited specialist providers as part of their workplace training. Learners accessing this qualification were provided with knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable them to diagnose faults, repair and maintain electronics equipment. Learners are now also able to interpret electronic circuits to do component level repairs. This SAQA-Accredited Qualification: Further Education and Training Certificate: Electronics (NQF 4) comprises of Unit Standards that will serve as the building blocks towards progression to an NQF Level 5 Qualification in Electronics as part of these graduates’ career advancement. This 12-month programme which started in February 2024 and ended in January this year, has been able to enhance employment prospects and fosters sustainable economic development.

Sanele Gcumisa, Ocule IT: Managing Member added: “Ocule IT is thrilled to celebrate the graduation of the fourth cohort of our Electronics NQF Level 4 programme in KZN, a remarkable achievement resulting from a four-year partnership with Samsung. This collaboration has empowered 81 learners, leading to impressive results: 80% secured employment, 6% continued their education and the remaining learners are actively seeking opportunities. We’re particularly proud of the 12% who launched successful businesses, contributing significantly to the community’s economic growth. Our heartfelt thanks to Samsung and our partner companies for their invaluable support in making this programme such a resounding success.”

Samsung is convinced that the impressive results of this programme are a clear indication of the opportunities that have been created through this investment. The programme’s success is also due to the collaborative efforts that support its growth as well as the long-term benefits for both the partners involved and the community.
Beukes concluded: “As a company, we are very happy with the thorough training processes followed and overall, how well this programme was run. Our continued investment in ICT, the drive for educational advancement as well as the transformative power of collaboration with Ocule IT and other key partners has – in no doubt led to the successful completion of this 4th cohort of the Electronics Technician Programme.”

Pictured with the graduates and the dignitaries is Ms Bomkazi Maphotho, DTIC, EEIP Program Manager, seated far left

The programme is an electronics artisanal skills development initiative, which aims to stimulate job creation in underprivileged communities. The students learn about the processes of design, manufacturing and repairing of electronic equipment and products.

The graduation ceremony of the 20 students was to celebrate their success and the positive impact this programme has had on rural communities in Eastern Cape. To date, Samsung has trained 162 artisans across three provinces: Kwa-Zulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng. The 1^st cohort graduated in November 2023.

The programme’s strategic focus is to drive local development and empowerment as well as to provide critical skills to the youth – tailored specifically to meet industry demands and the needs of the economic development for both the Eastern Cape and the country as a whole. The 100% employment rate in the programme over the last three years is testament to the demand for qualified artisans in electronics and other trade-related disciplines.

Nicky Beukes, Samsung EEIP Project Manager said: “With this technician programme, we have been able to achieve our main objective of providing skills development to the provincial artisans in an effort to stimulate job creation in a province with so much potential. As Samsung in partnership with Ocule IT, we are committed to empowering the province’s youth by equipping them with much-needed skills to land employment or start their own businesses.”

The Electronics Technician programme was established in 2020, after Samsung identified Eastern Cape’s critical shortage of technicians needed to service consumer electronics and hand-held devices. Since then, it has focused on training unemployed youth from rural and township areas with the end goal of developing sought-after artisan skills in the fields of electronics. The individuals that were part of the programme have been trained and mentored by accredited specialist providers as part of their workplace training. Samsung’s commitment to empowering the country’s youth has had a significant impact in driving the success of the programme.

Sanele Gcumisa, Ocule IT: Managing Member said: “For students, this programme offers unsurpassed access both in workplace learning and in business, as it assists learners to have the ability to sustain themselves even if they were not employed. Ocule IT in partnership with Samsung is pleased to offer an innovative and exciting programme of learning that emphasises an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge and the solution of real-life problems. We therefore thank Samsung, DTIC and all other stakeholders including employers and learners who participated in this programme.”

Gcumisa explained further that the main objective of this programme is to empower youth by equipping them with much-needed ICT skills to land employment or start their own businesses. This programme is an example of how successful partnerships with organisations such as Samsung and government can make a difference and help create an inspiring story.

Samsung’s sustained investment in ICT training and development in partnership with Ocule IT has contributed greatly in creating a workforce equipped with essential, in-demand skills. This Electronics Technician programme is one of the initiatives that can open new doors for previously disadvantaged youth.

Beukes concluded: “Through our drive for educational advancement and the transformative power of collaboration with institutions such as Ocule IT, we have been able to contribute positively to the growth of this programme over the years. Together, we have ensured that the programme enhances employment prospects and fosters sustainable economic development in the province and the country as a whole. And, all these efforts have had long-term benefits for both, the partners involved and the community.”

South Africa, like many countries globally, grapples with the challenge of youth unemployment. This is supported by statistics indicating a 45,5% unemployment rate among young individuals (aged 15-34 years), in contrast to the national average of 32,9% in the first quarter of 2024”, according to Statistics SA.”  The Western Cape is no exception to this alarming trend.

In response to the country’s youth unemployment issues and a way to assist government to address this challenge, Samsung launched a R280-million worth Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) in 2019. The company is now celebrating five years of this EEIP programme’s sustained success. This EEIP programme is projected to have a measurable impact on job creation and a contribution of nearly R1-billion to the South African economy at large. Five years in and Samsung’s EEIP programme has managed to train 539 youth in SWD and artisanal skills.

Jose Frantz, Deputy Vice Chancellor: research and innovation, University of the Western Cape said: “We firmly believe in the transformative power of higher education to empower youth. The Future-Innovation Lab at UWC exemplifies this commitment by equipping previously disadvantaged youth with the skills and experiences necessary to succeed in an AI-driven economy. By bridging the gap between education and industry, this initiative not only addresses the pressing issue of youth unemployment but also fosters a culture of innovation and resilience. As we celebrate the upcoming graduation of the fourth cohort, we recognize the importance of such programs in nurturing the next generation of leaders and change-makers. Together, we can create a future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.”

This SWD programme that is part of Samsung’s EEIP has ensured sustained ICT investment in historically disadvantaged universities, which in turn has helped to enhance the prospects of employment in the country’s youth. Importantly, this SWD programme has provided an opportunity to previously disadvantaged youth to gain skills in software development and digital social innovation with the ultimate aim of opening doors to employment or further training. Samsung strives for a 100% absorption rate of all the students in its training programmes.

Lenhle Khoza, Manager for B-BBEE and Transformation at Samsung South Africa said: “As Samsung, we would like to congratulate this group of brilliant students. From the start of this programme, our focus has been on capacity building in ICT training and development. With these software development skills, we are confident that these UWC students will now be able to play a crucial role in the digital economy.”

For Samsung, this graduation of the fourth cohort in this SWD programme is a clear indication of how successful partnerships with institutions of higher learning such as UWC are helping to address the country’s societal challenges through the development of digital solutions.

And according to UWC, the 41 students that participated in the SWD programme have gained proficiency in high-demand coding languages, software architecture, web and mobile app development as well as database management and more. The hands-on and project-based approach has ensured that graduates emerge not just with theoretical knowledge, but also with the practical skills demanded by the modern job market.

With hands-on, real-world experience provided through creativity and fun in a learning and working environment, these UWC students will now be able to successfully apply their new skills, which are highly sought-after in the country’s digital economy.

“As Samsung, we’ve always prioritised the need to demonstrate a measurable outcome on the country’s youth in all our education-focused initiatives. This SWD is no exception, in collaboration with UWC – we have ensured that these graduating students are employable and that some are able to attain permanent employment through our partner network,” concluded Khoza.

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^*Source – Unemployment in South Africa: A Youth Perspective | Statistics South Africa (statssa.gov.za)