JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 27 January 2022 – Both globally and locally, there is clear consensus that investment in a country’s technological advancement is intrinsically linked to economic growth. Samsung South Africa has long-recognised this philosophy, which is why it is spearheading large-scale ICT-driven initiatives aimed at empowering previously disadvantaged South Africans and boosting the economy. The fact is, this convergence of technology and economic forces is increasingly dictating everything from growth rates and incomes to inflation, as technology is now integrated everywhere in society, from how we work, live, and play.

In 2019 Samsung South Africa launched its R280-million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), under the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Programme. This is aimed at strengthening black economic empowerment through enterprise development, ICT capacity development to tackle the triple challenge of unemployment, inequality and poverty.

Creating entrepreneurs to stimulate the GDP

As part of its far-reaching EEIP plan, Samsung in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the DTIC) embarked on an initiative to provide opportunities for Black Industrialists (BI’s) in the Recycling sector. Through this initiative Samsung has become an integral partner in the creation and support of black-owned businesses that can manage and impact Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE). Furthermore, this initiative supports the reduction of “waste to landfills” objective of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) and Samsung’s investment in e-waste is visionary in terms of the recently published Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations (EPR).

In addition to e-waste investment, Samsung has committed to invest and the support of black-owned and women-owned businesses through its Enterprise Development (ED) programme. Investment in ICT entrepreneurs aims to support sustainable businesses that can help address the country’s 4IR challenges.

Another programme is the development of accredited services centres to provide greater access to electronic repairs of communities residing in townships and peri-urban areas. Samsung’s Service Centre programme is bringing skilled black engineers to under-serviced areas, with sufficient retail footprint, to tackle the repair of mobile devices and consumer electronics that are subjected to rapid technological advancement and changing consumer needs. Samsung provides the selected entrepreneurs with grant funding to support their operations, including specialist business development support and access to Samsung’s service repair network.

The investment in E-Waste, ICT and Service Centres provide the enterprises with much-needed funding to capitalise their businesses for plant, equipment and operational expenditure. The programmes are formulated to make a measurable difference by supporting high potential entrepreneurs to grow their businesses sustainably

Driving future success through youth development

South Africa now more than ever, needs to equip the youth to seize the opportunities that lie in the ICT sector. This is why Samsung recognises that education and beneficiation are the cornerstones of the country’s future, and are requirements for it to be a major player in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Samsung App factory learnership programme is a good example of how this can be achieved. The programme is geared to bridge the gap between tertiary learning and market requirements for employment. The support and guidance of learners under the supervision of a mentor in the form of a qualified systems engineer, prepares learners for employment as software developers, as it is commonly known that the industry prioritises candidates with a couple of years of experience. These skilled interns can be part of driving local economic growth.

“Ultimately through our partnership with DTIC on their industrialisation drive and our ICT-education-based investments, Samsung can play a vital role in creating meaningful employment and strengthening South Africa’s economy, all through the power of innovative technologies and a focused long-term vision”, says Hlubi Shivanda. Director: Business Innovation Group & Corporate Affairs, Samsung South Africa.

Samsung South Africa and Ocule IT have announced the graduation of the Cohort 1 of its 12-month Electronics Learnership programme. At a virtual ceremony, the new graduates were commended for their achievement and their ability to adapt to the unique learning conditions during Covid-19. To overcome these challenges and ensure effective remote learning, Samsung supported the learners with tablets and access to data. Samsung South Africa’s mission to empower youth in the ICT sector has produced incredible results since the launch of its R280 million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (“EEIP”), launched in 2019.

Participating in the ceremony was Jacob Maphutha, the Chief Director of the dtic, Sanele Gcumisa, CEO of Ocule IT, Ms. Lungile Shabangu-Dlamini and Ms. Lungile Ngcobo from MICTSETA and Hlubi Shivanda: Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa

Sanele Gcumisa, CEO of Ocule IT

“Samsung will remain committed to the idea of real empowerment and education that changes lives. We are pleased to partner with Ocule IT who share our vision of equipping the youth to seize the opportunities that lie in the ICT sector.  This is an inspiring capacity building programme, that showcases the power of technology to train and inspire young people to pursue their greatest ambitions. We wish the graduates the greatest of success on their journey, and will continue to seek out the avenues that will lead to their success,” said Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa

Ocule IT hosted the 12-month MICTSETA accredited Electronics Learnership. The programme is focussed on the training and development of electronics, technicians. Overall, the programme benefits 40 unemployed black youth over two years. This is a fully funded bursary programme that provides for tuition, equipment and stipends. In essence, it is a comprehensive integrated skills development investment programme that prioritises the delivery of an integrated holistic package of personal, technical, entrepreneurial and business skills, aligned to meet the needs of the country’s economic development strategies.

Ocule IT is pleased with the progress achieved by the first cohort of 20 young unemployed youth recruited and trained during challenging period, when COVID 19 hit South Africa. The majority of the group has managed to secure employment or is involved in self-employment initiatives. Ocule and Samsung is committed to providing support and guidance to those with an interest in meaningful employment, in order to create more opportunities in the future.

Jacob Maphutha from the Dtic

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 04 May 2021 – As part of Samsung’s R280-million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), under the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment that was launched in March 2019, Samsung in collaboration with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) embarked on an initiative to provide opportunities for Black Industrialists (BI’s) in the Recycling sector. Through this initiative Samsung has become an integral partner in the creation and support of black-owned businesses that can manage and impact Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE).

After stringent evaluation, due diligence and presentations to the steering committee, that included representation from the dtic, The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Samsung South Africa, two black women owned businesses – Ilanga E-Waste Management and Matongoni General Trading were selected to participate in the programme.

“We applaud Samsung for this important milestone on their EEIP journey. B-BBEE in South Africa should be supported, promoted and implemented, in particular by big corporates like Samsung. The South African Constitution laid the foundation for a creation of a coherent and inclusive economy. This will only be possible if the SouthAfrican economy builds on the full potential of all persons and communities across the length and breadth of our country.  B-BBEE policy is at the centre of government’s strategy to create such an inclusive economy. This initiative by Samsung is a great example of the policy in action”, said Jacob Maphutha, Chief Director: B-BBEE Policy at the dtic

The programme is structured in two phases. The first phase supports the establishment and growth of Black Industrialists in the e-waste value chains who specialise in collection, dismantling and pre-processing. The second phase aims to partner with industry specialists to develop and introduce beneficiation technology to the BI’s.

“Samsung’s investment in our company has been a complete game-changer for the team. It plays a major role in our business’s capability to meet our long-term fiscal objectives and remain aligned to our vision of a more sustainable future for the country,” said Maria Rakgalakane, Managing Director of Ilanga E-Waste Management.

Ultimately, the investment over the next three years will provide the BI’s with much-needed funding to capitalise the business for plant, equipment and operational expenditure.

“Samsung is focused on the growth of entrepreneurship in South Africa, our investment in the development of e-waste programmes amongst others, is testament to this. The selection of e-waste companies and the support provided plays a pivotal role in affirming Samsung’s commitment to not only growing South Africa’s e-waste economy but also preserving the nation’s natural resources. It is an essential part of Samsung’s mission to put the environment first in all business operations, with several long-term sustainability programmes that include sustainable packaging design and the reduction of carbon footprints through the use of recycled materials. Critically, the positive impact on the environment will result in lasting change that benefits all South Africans,” says Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa