This Women’s Month, Samsung is shining the spotlight on and celebrating female artisans that participated and recently graduated from the 24-month SETA-accredited Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician Apprenticeship programme.

This apprenticeship has since its inception been driven through a successful public, private partnership (PPP) – under Samsung’s multi-million worth Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (“EEIP”) working in close collaboration with the Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training Centre (EASTC), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA).

The main objective of this Apprenticeship programme is to increase the prospects of the country’s youth, more importantly young, female artisans for employability or entrepreneurship. It was started and sponsored by Samsung when the company became aware of the country’s critical shortage of technicians to service consumer electronics and hand-held devices in the market.

The thriving collaboration between private sector and government is helping to achieve the common objective of empowering young female artisans through innovation and is providing them with the necessary training in Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) skills to enhance their chances to do better for themselves.

These incredible, female artisans who participated and graduated from this programme, which started in June 2020, have managed to complete all the apprenticeship requirements, including trade-testing, to be certified by EWSETA as qualified technicians. When asked about their experience during and after the programme, this is what two recent, female graduates had to say:

Mmakena Mavis Molele, who currently stays in Tembisa but is originally from Limpopo said: “When I finished matric, I didn’t have money to study further. I was lucky enough to find an advert on social media on the Samsung EEIP EASTC Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician Apprenticeship programme. I applied and was accepted. I learnt a lot from this programme. My skills now include; how to install an aircon; I can also do fault-finding on freezer and cold rooms; and I also learnt soft skills such as how to be a team player.”

Mmakwena believes that her life is much better now that she is a qualified artisan. The skills and qualifications she received have improved her level of awareness. “I’m grateful to Samsung and EASTC, because I was able to open my own business as a result of of this opportunity. Becoming a successful entrepreneur has been a life-long dream of mine”, she said.

“I would like to encourage other young women to also pursue their dreams. My belief is that if you do what you love, then success will follow. Also, if you go into a field similar to mine, then you need to use your hands to market yourself because your skill and how good you are will become your tools for success,” Mmakwena emphasised.

Innocentia Nkopane, a 37-year old mother of three – originally from Lesotho but was raised in Diepkloof, Soweto said: “In 2019, I saw an advert on the Technician Apprenticeship programme. I applied and was accepted. Before participating in this programme, I didn’t have any skills and could not do anything worthwhile with my hands.”

Innocentia is currently unemployed, however with the expertise that she acquired from the programme, she can now fix and service fridges as well as install and service aircons. Even though she does not have her own tools as yet and has to borrow some from neighbours – she is now able to do some work within her community and get paid for it. The skills that she has obtained from the programme have had some positive ripple effects. “I am now able to support my family with the money that I make using my hands. I am also busy saving some of this money so that I can buy my own work tools in the near future,” she adds.

“The future is very bright for women who want to become artisans because these days, there are organisations that are willing to assist women to open their own businesses. With a bit of dedication, passion and determination,you will find that there’s endless opportunities out there. Young women just need to stand up and empower themselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to survive,” said Innocentia.

Samsung has a 10-year plan that is driven under its EEIP programme, which aims to address key developmental aspects linked to the National Development Plan (NDP) and overall transformation of the country’s economy. This also includes the need to empower women as well as increase female influence and participation by changing the male-dominated landscape of the electronics industry, ensuring that women contribute greatly to the country’s 4IR objectives.

Hlubi Shivanda, Director: Business Operations, Innovation and Corporate Affairs at Samsung South Africa said: “We are very proud of the incredible results that have been achieved from this programme so far. This Apprenticeship is helping to push our agenda of women empowerment, inclusivity and equality. As a company, we firmly believe that the future is female and that all businesses, and our industry as a whole, will benefit greatly from placing women in positions of influence and at the forefront of the 4IR agenda.”

Samsung proudly supports Busan’s bid for the World Expo 2030.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 30 August 2022 – Every year, in August, South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, and pay tribute to more than 20 000 women of all races and ages that marched to the Union Building on 9 August 1956, in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women. The South African government has recently called for the country to celebrate Women’s Month in recognition of Women’s Rights and to usher in a future of equality, which Samsung has thrown in its full support for.

This Women’s Month, Samsung put some of their female-employee’s front and center in celebration of the role of females within the organization. In an effort to highlight the incredible value that each female Samsung employee has added to the company, certain female employees were paired up together in front of a camera to share their personal experiences and converse about the lessons they’ve learned and the wisdom they’ve gained throughout their careers.

Over the years, the company  has created various platforms including Samsung Women in Dialogue series, the Women Technical Programme and Women in Samsung Electronics (WISE) – intended to encourage discussions around gender equality, change the male-dominated landscape of the electronics industry and ensure that women contribute greatly to the country’s Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) objectives.

Samsung also decided to give one of their male leaders the chance to introduce the conversations so that not only women were celebrating women, but that men were celebrating and acknowledging women too. When the cameras started rolling, Samsung Consumer Electronics Director, Mike van Lier, described what an incredible privilege it is to have strong and driven women being part of the Samsung team, and how each female member brings new, fresh ideas to the company, creates a conducive and motivating dynamic to each department. Further inspires a more inclusive and diverse Samsung culture that allows for more meaningful opportunities for women in the workspace.

The atmosphere on set was charged with excitement and laughter as each pair stepped into the spotlight. In addition, while keeping the focus on the purpose of each interview – the celebration of women empowerment – Samsung’s ladies-of-honor showcased why Samsung will always celebrate women, stand by women empowerment, and why having women in the workplace is essential for company growth.

explore their increasing role in the ICT sector

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 08 September 2021 – On Friday 20 August, Samsung South Africa kicked off its annual Samsung Women in Dialogue series. Aimed at providing a platform to cultivate inspiring conversations amongst women in the technology field, the dialogue was driven by international speaker and event MC, Jo-Ann Strauss. Joining her on the panel was, Dr Aisha R. Pandor, co-founder and CEO of multi-award winning online home services platform –SweepSouth; Dr. Penny Law co-founder and current Dean of Regenesys; Ndileka Mandela a social activist, former ICU nurse and the head of a rural upliftment organisation Thembekile Mandela Foundation; as well as Samsung Africa, Chief Marketing officer, Dudu Mokholo. The panellists shared their personal stories and perspectives to illuminate the most pressing issues for women in the 21st century and narrate the remarkable role now have in the technology sector.

“This series celebrates ordinary women in an extraordinary way.  As the industry grows and leaders emerge, we hope to give our women the forum to feel empowered to tell their story, to connect and inspire a new wave of leaders. As Samsung, we believe this will lead to innovation, motivation and leadership growth within Samsung and throughout the ICT sector. We want our women to feel inspired and celebrate the tremendous efforts women make to shape a more equal future for all”, said Zain Reddiar, HR Director at Samsung Africa.

The Samsung Women in Dialogue series outlined a clear vision for how women can thrive in the ICT industry, and the necessary boundaries needed to enable inclusivity, resulting in a shift in attitudes and behaviour. It places women’s unique stories at the forefront of its mission to positively impact people, companies, industry, and society at large. The dialogue provided a candid exchange, facilitating a stimulating and motivating conversation.

Launched during Women’s month, the Samsung Women in Dialogue series is a reminder of the struggle for equality, which must be addressed. Globally, this was expressed through the #ChooseToChallenge theme, noting that a challenged world is an alert world, and from challenge comes the need for change. In South Africa, this year’s Women’s Month theme is: Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights for an Equal Future’. Samsung drew inspiration from both themes to create the series and guide the narrative.

“As Samsung, we believe that the future is female, and all businesses and the industry will benefit greatly from placing women at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution. We must work together for this aim, and when we do, we will be Stronger Together. The country and industry can only move confidently into a future where the efforts of all people are recognised in equal measures”, concluded Reddiar.