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 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.

“This is an immense platform for empowering deserving, previously disadvantaged youth. Aligned with our global mission of ‘Enabling People’, from here they can launch careers that place them at the forefront of the 4^th Industrial Revolution,“ says Hlubi Shivanda, Director for Business Operations, Innovation and Corporate Affairs.” Since embarking on the programme in February this year the current, outgoing cohort of interns say they have gained essential hands-on experience and unique insight into software development as a career as well as an understanding of the demands of the wider industry.“

The programme has had an impact on the lives of many according to participant Thendo Mudau from North-West University, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. There is so much to learn so that you can grow on a personal and professional level.”

Chief Executive of the Tshimologong Precinct, Lesley Donna Williams, says, “The programme offers invaluable experience for graduates at a crucial point in the very beginning of their careers. Many graduates do not have the necessary experience to land their first job as a software developer. Through the Samsung collaboration, Tshimologong aims to develop and grow seven more, talented graduates by bridging the knowledge and experience gap under the mentorship of a senior developer to ultimately make them more employable at the end of the 9 months.”

Tshimologong is looking for 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. Kicking off 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. The closing date for applications is 18 December 2020.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 10 July 2020 – Samsung South Africa has announced its EEIP (Equity Equivalent Investment Programme) plans aimed at empowering previously disadvantaged South Africans with a focus on women and youth in the ICT sector. The programme initiatives are set to strengthen black economic empowerment through enterprise development, thus boosting economic growth and job creation.

The programmes are formulated to make a measurable difference and are aligned to the overarching objectives of the NDP Vision for 2030 and the Gauteng Township Economy Revitalisation Strategy. The aim is to find and support – through grant funding – high potential entrepreneurs to grow their business sustainably. Additionally, a focus on establishing black businesses in the heart of townships has been prioritised.

“As a global leader in mobile and consumer electronics, our extensive experience and deep technical skills can be leveraged to empower South Africans to harness the power of technology to be leaders of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Samsung is firmly committed to growing South Africa through socio-economic change and welcomes the submissions of those who want the opportunity to create a more inclusive and prosperous society”, says Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa.

Samsung is focusing on the following priority areas in the ICT sector and achieving outcomes of national interest with regards to entrepreneurship development:

2 X Accredited Service Centres entrepreneurs

The Service Centre programme will bring skilled black engineers to townships and peri-urban 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 is to provide two selected entrepreneurs grant-funding to support operations, specialist business development support and access to Samsung’s service repair network.

2 X Marketing and Advertising entrepreneurs

The Enterprise Development programme will contribute to transformation in the marketing and advertising industry, contributing to job creation through entrepreneurship.Samsung is to provide support  to successful entrepreneurs in the form of grant-funding and access to supply chain opportunities to grow the business.

1 X ICT Entrepreneur

The Samsung SA EEIP is searching for a talented black software development business with potential, that can help overcome the challenges faced in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Samsung is to provide grant-funding to capitalise the business and access to specialist business development support services.

Ultimately, The Samsung SA EEIP will make a measurable difference to the socio-economic development of black South Africans.

How To Apply: Follow The Application Process Below To Submit Your Application

Applications will be facilitated by Samsung’s partner Business Doctors

Step 1: Apply online by submitting the required documentation (as stipulated on the Business Doctors website)

Step 2: Business Doctors will evaluate all submissions against the published qualifying criteria and shortlist  applications for second round of evaluation.

Step 3: Shortlisted candidates will be notified by Business Doctors regarding the next steps in the evaluation process.

Step 4: Successful candidates will be publicly announced.

Apply here

Samsung South Africa and the University of the Western Cape are on a mission to empower youth to overcome the obstacles to their dreams.

Sibisiso Labi’s story is an example of how organisations can make a difference: Labi, now 20-years-old, was among the thousands of child-headed households in South Africa. But the determined boy from the Cape Flats refused to be a statistic. At the age of 18, he found a job as a picker at a supermarket distribution centre. A year later he resigned to pursue his dream of becoming a web developer.

Today, thanks to an innovative collaboration between Samsung South Africa and the University of the Western Cape the 20-year-old’s dream is materialising. He is one of 40 students receiving web and mobile software development training at a new Future-Innovation Lab which focuses on building digital innovation skills for unemployed youth in South Africa.

In May 2019, Samsung South Africa unveiled its R280 million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP). Samsung’s EEIP projects, many of which have a focus on education such as the Samsung Engineering Academy and Bursary programmes are focussed on preparing youth to place their future in their own hands.

This is aligned with Samsung’s global mission: ‘Enabling People’, which is aimed at aiding people, discovering and developing their full potential. The EEIP initiative is projected to have a measurable impact on job creation and a contribution of nearly R 1-billion to the South African economy at large. Now the EEIP R&D Academy, in partnership with UWC and Microsoft, has showcased exactly what can be achieved.

“We believe our EEIP strategy will help alleviate the many challenges faced by the country’s youth. This exciting stage of the rollout through the R&D Academy affirms our commitment to growing South Africa through education, and we have dedicated the necessary resources and time to create possibilities, which were once merely a dream,” said Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa.

The Future-Innovation Lab aims to provide an opportunity to deserving previously disadvantaged youth (between the ages of 18-35, to gain skills in software development and digital social innovation.

“We need to support and create the digital literates to build the economy we all seek. This is something that cannot be delivered by Government alone. We create policy to make it happen but it’s by working together with the private sector that we can effect meaningful change. We embrace companies such as Samsung and Microsoft who partner with us on our journey to empower our youth to be at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, “said Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams at the opening of the Future Innovation Lab.

The six-month Future-Innovation Lab programme focuses on:

· The development of software development skills and portfolios that can open doors to employment or further training;
· The development of transferable skills and experience in digital social innovation and
· The fostering of pathways into industry networks.

In addition to the six-month development experience, Samsung and UWC partnered with the Microsoft AppFactory to deliver an advanced nine-month software development programme to address the gap of high-demand software skills. The target group for this programme is more experienced software developers who lack practical or work experience. The programme aims to facilitate hands-on, real-world experience through creativity and fun in a learning and working environment.

Professor Josè Frantz – University of the Western Cape Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation – said: “The University of the Western Cape, as an engaged university, aims to make research count for the communities it serves. We value the importance of this initiative which will empower and prepare students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution”.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 07 November 2019 – Samsung South Africa is running a search for 2 (two) established black industrials in the e-waste sector, which require financial and business support, to take their business to the next level. The initiative is part of Samsung’s R280-million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP). EEIP is a Department of Trade and Industry (dti) initiative where multinational companies are invited to participate and contribute positively towards B-BBEE in South Africa. This programme is strongly aligned with the objectives of the National Development Plan 2030, which is the elimination of poverty through job creation and entrepreneurship.

“Samsung is focussed on two very important missions – the growth of entrepreneurship in the country and the development of e-waste programmes. This e-waste project achieves both objectives and affirms our commitment to growing South Africa and preserving the nation’s natural resources,” says Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa.

Supporting the Government’s Black Industrialist Programme

Samsung, in collaboration with the dti, aims to provide opportunities for Black Industrialists in the Recycling sector, to participate in the e-waste Black Industrialist program as one of the projects under EEIP. Samsung will be an integral partner in the creation of the only black-owned and operated e-waste beneficiation plants in Africa that can separate Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE). The objective is to develop and support the establishment of the e-waste Black Industrialists, who will be operating in the full value chain of e-waste management that include collection, dismantling, pre-processing and beneficiation of e-waste materials.

Comprehensive Business Support

Business support includes grant funding for operational growth, mechanisation, skills development program (quality control, safety and business development) and the introduction of beneficiation plant technology. This Black Industrialist programme targets black Industrialists, including women. Ultimately through industrialisation, the aim is to create employment, boost innovation and grow the economy.

Providing Access to Experts

Samsung has partnered with a black-owned incubator that will market, recruit and select the Industrialists for this programme. In addition, the incubator will support the selected enterprises for the duration of the programme.

Terms and Conditions apply

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 07 May 2019 – At a function, held in Johannesburg today, Samsung announced its R280 million Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), projected to have a measurable impact on job creation and a contribution of nearly R1 billion to the South African economy at large. EEIP is an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) where multinational companies that are unable to sell equity in South Africa are invited to participate and contribute positively towards B-BBEE and development of South Africa. The announcement event, which was addressed by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, through a video, as well as the President and CEO of Samsung Africa, Mr. Sung Yoon, followed Samsung’s recent commitments to long term investment in South Africa.

According to Minister Davies, the Samsung South Africa’s Equity Equivalent investment amounts to almost R280 Million over 10 years. It joins nine other multinationals that have been approved for a value of R2.2 billion collectively. The programme has to date resulted in the creation of over 3 000 direct and indirect jobs.

The Samsung plan will create and address key developmental aspects linked to the National Development Plan (NDP) and overall transformation of our economy. These include the Black industrialisation through e-Waste recycling, beneficiation research and development in partnership with Mintek, which is a first for Africa, where a beneficiation plant is planned to be built and maintained by South Africans, and operated by a Black entrepreneur, enterprise development, and the development of township economies through Accredited Services Centres and software development.

“We are delighted that the Samsung EEIP will have the following measurable impacts on the South African economy: it will result in the creation of 262 direct jobs; it will allow the emergence of a new Black Industrialist; it will support 13 black-owned and women-owned businesses and will contribute R945 million to the economy. We are happy that the dti has contributed and supported Samsung in the design and development of this programme that will result in the establishment of five accredited service centres that are black and women-owned. These will be providing repair service to all kinds of brands of consumer electronics, hand-held devices, air-conditioning and refrigerators,” said Minister Davies.

The Director of Business Innovation Group and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa, Mr Hlubi Shivanda added: “We believe our EEIP strategy will help alleviate the many challenges the nation faces. Our alignment with the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 is part of our statement of intent. The fact is, Samsung is firmly committed to growing South Africa through socio-economic change and has dedicated the necessary resources and time to create a future, which was once merely a dream.”

The approved Samsung SA’s EEIP has an integrated approach, which means that Samsung will be an integral partner in the creation of the first and only black-owned and operated e-waste beneficiation plant in Africa that can separate Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE). The company has also opted for a strategic partnership-aligned model to achieve greater impact. In this regard Samsung has partnered with government departments such as DEA, DHE, DTPS and the IDC. UWC has been selected as anchor partner for the development of black application development skills. Additionally, a partnership with Microsoft AppFactory will provide real experience to supplement the theoretical knowledge gained by beneficiaries at UWC. Mintek will be Samsung’s technology partner for e-Waste beneficiation.

Ultimately, The Samsung SA EEIP will make a measurable difference to socio-economic development of black South Africans. The alignment with the overarching objectives of the NDP Vision for 2030, B-BBEE policy, Industrial Policy Action Plan, as well as the Gauteng Township Economy Revitalisation Strategy is set to make a difference by; strengthening government’s Black Industrialisation Programme, driving a culture of innovation through digital solutions, enhancing entrepreneurship development, job creation and township economic development and technical skills development to contribute to much needed skills in the country and raise the prospects of employability.

Samsung will continue to pursue opportunities where people can become meaningfully engaged in the economy and in doing so, have a positive impact on their families, communities and therein, the entire nation.