The Samsung –Sponsored AppFactory, in partnership with Microsoft, is a 9-month internship programme hosted by Tshimologong Digital Precinct and the University of the Western Cape. Over the last two years, Samsung has invested in 49 selected interns with an IT tertiary qualification that can work with a senior developer to grow their skills. The sole responsibility of the senior developer is to focus full-time on the growth of the interns by providing the right mentorship and guiding them on real-world projects. The interns are exposed to high intensity and fast-paced learning over the learnership period – resulting in them gaining invaluable industry experience.

The Future Innovation Programme is targeting unemployed matriculants with an aptitude for software development. This 6-month internship programme provides disadvantaged youth with software development and digital social innovation expertise so that they too can access the digital economy. The outcome at the end of the programme is a much better understanding of the digital ecosystem and the potential paths of opportunity therein,

With a total investment in software development over 10 years of R94 Million, the programme provides a full scholarship to the students that includes equipment, stipend and tuition fees. To date, 311 unemployed youth have participated in the R&D programme with 226 students already proud graduates, ready to take their place in the local ICT sector where these skills are highly sought-after. Importantly, the programme has also attracted female graduates, who are an integral part of future growth in the sector.

Lindiwe Mncwabe, who completing an internship at the Samsung App Factory is already reaping the rewards. She now has a job at BMW as a java developer, a role that may once have seemed impossible, but one which she’s fully embraced. Raised in Soweto, her references and experience of technology was limited until she was accepted onto the programme. It’s with great enthusiasm that she says, “I would like to grow to be one of the most sought-after women developers in the country and in the future have my own technology company. I now dream that I can one day hire young black women and help them hone their craft, for long-term success”

“Samsung is pleased to see how well our education programmes such as the App Factory, along with work placements are making a difference. We feel it is essential to continue to support these far-reaching initiatives. With the right skills and opportunities, such skilled interns can be part of driving local and global growth while achieving personal successes. This intern-centred approach enables the students to grow their competence and sharpen their skills, and serves as a solid foundation for the graduates to continue to grow and be part of shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution, “said Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa

Samsung and Tshimologong celebrated the graduates of their highly successful App Factory Internship programme at an event held on Thursday, 04 November 2021 at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The event was attended by representatives from Samsung, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), Tshimologong project managers, Wits University representatives as well as alumni. This is the second cohort of the initiative.

The programme is based on supporting and guiding learners to employment as software developers. The App Factory makes a meaningful difference as the industry favours candidates with a couple of years of experience. Samsung South Africa, in partnership with Wits University’s Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, committed to run the App Factory in response to this challenge. The App Factory is a software development internship programme that exposes interns to real-world projects under the dedicated guidance of a senior developer. Over the course of nine months, this intern-centred approach enables them to grow their competence and sharpen their skills.

The success of the App Factory speaks for itself, having achieved a 100% placement of the first cohort that graduated in 2020. The graduates are currently employed at BMW Rosslyn and Ernst & Young. The 2021 graduates of the App Factory Internship Programme are eager to find viable jobs within the industry. With the right skills and opportunities, such skilled interns can be part of driving local and global growth while achieving personal successes.

“Skilled software developers are also at the core of developing world-leading African digital entrepreneurs. We are excited to be partnering with Samsung to nurture these invaluable skills”, says Lesley Donna Williams, CEO of Tshimologong.

“This internship is practical and provides enormous learning material, content and exposure to different technologies within the world of programming. It is run by a mentor who drives and energises you to use your full potential”, says one of the graduates, Thulani Mabaso.

Phephisile Mathizerd, another one of the talented App Factory internship graduates, added that she learnt a great deal from the programme. “Through software development, I can breathe life into ideas and solve key problems and challenges that my community and I face.”

Leveraging past accomplishments and lessons learnt, Samsung and Tshimologong are again taking another leap forward by doubling the cohort size to 18. The third cohort of the App Factory starts on 03 January and will run for nine months ending on 30 September 2022. This high-intensity, fast-paced programme is the equivalent of being in industry for up to 2 years. The practical learning will serve as a foundation for the graduates to continue to grow and be part of shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

“We’re pleased to see how well Samsung’s education programmes, along with work placements, are being enthusiastically embraced by talented young people. The company’s ongoing global citizenship initiative, Enabling People, is helping the future generation fulfil their true potential and work towards a brighter future for themselves and their communities. We believe the App Factory Internship will not only transform lives but will empower deserving youth to take their place at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, says Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa

About Tshimologong

Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct is an ecosystem of digital innovators. Owned by Wits University, this space is a driver of 4IR and a revolutionary space for digital entrepreneurs, students, professionals as well as unemployed youth. Read more about Tshimologong here.

This partnership is aligned with Samsung’s R280-million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), which includes the mission to build software development skills for unemployed youth. Tshimologong Precinct’s tech incubation not only grows the tech start-ups of tomorrow but also provides quality software development skills for young people in South African.

The graduates of the App Factory Internship Programme are eager to find decent jobs within the industry. With the right skills and the right opportunities, such skilled interns can be part of driving local and global growth while achieving personal successes.

“Tshimologong is committed to growing tech skills in South Africa through these development programmes. It can only be successful when partners like Samsung join forces for the common good”, says Lesley Donna Williams, CEO of Tshimologong.

Samsung and Tshimologong celebrated the graduates of the internship programme through an event, held on Thursday, 26 November 2020 at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The event was attended by representatives from Samsung, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Tshimologong project managers as well as Wits University representatives.

“I am excited to graduate and look forward to my future as a software developer. Ever since I was young, I was always fascinated by computers, general applications and their function. I knew I would end up in the tech space and would like to thank Samsung for their commitment to skills development”, shares one of the graduates, Lindiwe Mncwabe.

Frans Mahlangu, another one of the App Factory internship graduates, added that he learnt a great deal from the programme. “This program had a positive impact on my life. If I had not been part of this internship, I would not have learnt the problem-solving skills that I now have, and am looking forward to being employed so that I may use my newly acquired skills”.

Samsung is committed to developing the community, identifying and prioritising young people with interventions that focus on their distinctive needs and ambitions in software development. This is reflected in initiatives such as the App Factory.

“Young people are most affected by our world’s greatest social, economic and environmental challenges. Samsung aims to empower this generation of problem solvers by equipping them with future-proof skills and giving them practical understanding of the technologies that will shape their future and enrich sustainable growth of the world. As part of our global mission of Enabling People we believe they can undoubtedly play a vital role in building communities and creating a positive and prosperous future for all. We’re excited at the prospect of using technology and our partnership with Tshimologong to bring this vision to life, “said Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa

Given the current state of the world, the persistent challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Samsung’s and Tshimologong’s second cohort is both timely and needed. Tshimologong Precinct is now looking ahead to next year and is seeking graduates who can demonstrate their ability to code in C#, Java and C++ and are familiar with object-oriented principles. Successful candidates will be paid a stipend for the duration of the internship. 

Commencing on 4 January 2021, the programme will cover C#, ASP.NET Webforms, ASP.NET MVC, Angular, JavaScript and other relevant topics. Interested candidates are invited to email a CV and a covering letter to internship@tshimologong.joburg by  13 December 2020.

About Tshimologong
Tshimologong Precinct is an ecosystem of digital innovators. Owned by Wits University, this space is a driver of 4IR and a revolutionary space for digital entrepreneurs, students, professionals as well as the unemployed. Read more about Tshimologong here.