The City of Cape Town, in partnership with UVU Africa, has marked a major milestone in its flagship CAPACITI skills development programme, which has equipped more than 6,000 young people with critical digital capabilities since its inception in 2010.
The programme focuses on empowering youth who often lack access to up-to-date technology or formal training. Participants receive practical skills in areas such as software development and systems support, opening doors to new career opportunities in the fast-growing tech sector.
“Helping people acquire sought-after abilities not only makes them more employable, it strengthens Cape Town and our economy and makes us a more future-fit city,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, at the celebration event.
The initiative has already produced success stories. Last year, Oceans Five, a team that emerged from CAPACITI’s coding incubation programme, won the City’s 24-hour Innovation Hackathon. Their winning project was a web application designed to connect residents with job opportunities and provide updates on City-led projects, demonstrating the real-world impact of the skills gained.
Alderman Vos emphasised the broader benefits of the initiative: “By enabling platforms such as UVU Africa to continue being a valuable resource of skills development, our communities will become increasingly empowered to find a place in an ever-evolving economy.”
The City and UVU Africa have pledged to continue strengthening the programme, ensuring that more young South Africans are equipped with the digital skills needed to thrive in a technology-driven future.
