By Lebone Rodah Mosima
The City of Tshwane has received more than 9,200 registrations from young people through its Ithuba Youth Economic Development Programme, with 1,500 already benefiting from training, skills development and links to other opportunities.
The city said the programme, launched in February 2026 in partnership with government, non-governmental organisations and private-sector entities, aims to expand economic opportunities for young people in the capital.
“The Ithuba online registration portal was launched during February 2026, and Tshwane residents between the ages of 18 and 35 were requested to register online for opportunities,” the city said.
“By the end of July 2026, 9,253 registrations had been received.”
Tshwane MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning Sarah Mabotsa welcomed the uptake, saying more than 1,500 young people had already benefited from the programme.
To support young entrepreneurs, the city said more than 500 young people had been referred to Takealot for consideration for its Market Seller Programme, which seeks to onboard entrepreneurs onto its digital platforms.
A further 700 young and aspiring entrepreneurs had been linked with the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) for formal assessments and relevant business development support.
The city said 116 young people had benefited from the National Youth Development Agency’s (NYDA) five-day “Start Your Business” training courses.
The training, held in Mabopane in May and Refilwe in June, aims to equip young entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge, values and attitudes needed to run their businesses.
The city said Microsoft South Africa had sponsored artificial intelligence fluency training for 112 young people as part of efforts to equip Tshwane’s youth with digital and technical skills.
A further 98 young people from Olievenhoutbosch, Ga-Rankuwa and Akasia completed cellphone repair technology training through the South African Mobile Devices Distributors and Repairers Association (SAMDDRA).
The city said three out of five unemployed young people in South Africa had never held a job before.
“The Ithuba Programme seeks to expand opportunities for young people through empowering the Tshwane’s youth with the skills, tools, and the opportunities they need to participate in and transform the economy,” it said.
The programme offers training and skills development across six key pillars: skilled trades, driver’s licences, business and entrepreneurship, work readiness, internships and jobs, and supplier development.
Mabotsa said the programme sought to empower young people through training, work-based learning and skills development, including opportunities to obtain driver’s licences.
“Ithuba means opportunity, and this is what our young people need and deserve,” she said.
The city said the programme was being delivered through partnerships with organisations including SEDA, Takealot, NYDA, Richester, Neopak, Microsoft South Africa and SAMDDRA.
Discussions are also under way with other industry partners that have expressed an interest in supporting the programme.
Mabotsa thanked businesses and partner organisations supporting the initiative and urged more companies to participate.
“I urge more businesses to come and partner with us. One internship or a work-based learning opportunity can make a world of difference,” she said.
Businesses interested in supporting the programme can register through the Ithuba online portal.
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