Unemployment is quite high in South Africa, especially among young people of African descent. The youth unemployment rate in South Africa is currently over 63%, with black youth being disproportionately affected. For many young individuals ready to enter the workforce and launch their professional lives, this is a heartbreaking reality.
But, there is still a chance. To help prepare young people, ages 16 to 20, for careers in the real-time 3D industry, we’re collaborating with the TechnoAfrika Academy Science Center to teach them how to create games utilizing the game creation platform Unity. To diversify and expand the global talent pool for real-time 3D professions, our collaborative program aims to propel training programs benefiting underrepresented, low-income, and/or underserved learner communities.
We are not alone in our efforts to give South African youth agency; the TechnoAfrika Academy Science Center feels the same way. Their goal is to equip young people living in economically disadvantaged areas with the knowledge and skills they’ll need to keep up with the ever-evolving technological world. By collaborating with TechnoAfrika Academy Science Center, we are able to draw on their wealth of knowledge and experience in STEM education and offer a well-rounded program tailored to the needs of South African youth.
A young man by the name of Asande is a prime example of the changes we’re witnessing. Asande, now 16 years old, has realized from an early age that he stands out from the crowd and has struggled as a result. He was determined to achieve success, but his loved ones couldn’t wrap their heads around his passion for fashion design. Asande, a participant in our program, is gaining insight into the possibilities available to him in the Meta world and the ways in which he may use virtual currency to improve his quality of life. He is challenging his preconceived notions and using the new information to shape the direction of his company.
What Asande has been through is common. Several of our individuals are undergoing changes that mirror those we have observed. We equip students for success in the real world by teaching them the technical aspects of game design and development, as well as the fundamentals of finance and business. We believe that soft skills are just as crucial to success as technical ones, which is why our curriculum places equal emphasis on both.
Our research has shown that Robert Kiyosaki’s books can have a significant impact on students who are working to increase their financial literacy. Books in this genre include “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,” “Cashflow Quadrant,” and “Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing,” among others. By reading these books in order and discussing them in class, students can learn Kiyosaki’s theory on how to build wealth and achieve financial freedom. As a result, many students are taking active efforts toward financial independence, such as starting their own businesses, investing in the stock market, or pursuing non-traditional income sources. Others are reevaluating their spending habits, taking a more strategic approach to debt management, and working to raise their credit ratings. These changes improve not just the financial security of our students but also their overall wellbeing. Inspiring others to take action and join us on this road towards financial freedom, our program is creating a ripple effect that is spreading throughout our community. Our program is helping kids change the way they think about money and wealth by having them read and discuss Robert Kiyosaki’s books together. By sharing their experiences and advice, the participants in these discussions are building a network of people who share a common goal of improving their financial situation.
The gaming business in South Africa has enormous growth potential. This sector has the potential to provide a large number of new jobs for young people as it grows. Giving young people the tools they need to find gainful employment in this sector not only helps to diversify and expand the sector’s talent pool, but also gives them a chance to escape the trap of generational poverty and joblessness.
We take great pride in the difference we are making in the lives of young people in South Africa, and we want to keep at it. Our initiative is a collaboration between our group and the Science Center at TechnoAfrika Academy. By working together, we are giving young people in South Africa a better chance at a prosperous and fulfilling future.
