Earn a living with tips from the West Rand’s digital tech queen

Many lives were disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic as some lost their source of income while others had to grappled with losing loved ones.

However, those like Jaylene Ramalatso said despite the bad the pandemic brought, lockdown restrictions were a blessing in disguise. The local techno-guru said this gave her a chance not only to discover what the digital space had to offer, but it even enabled her to help her peers who were desperate for jobs.

In an exclusive interview with the Herald, the 23-year-old said she had thought that her future was bleak as she graduated just as the pandemic broke out. She was also one of those getting ready for a conventional job hunt but it was not to be.

With the advent of the new technology, society had to adapt and keep up with the change to survive in this era. She, however, warned that Covid-19 accelerated the process to rely on digital methods more than ever, which she embraced.

“Gone are the days when people worked convectional jobs. Technology is here and we need to adapt to the new order. People can earn a living from the comfort of their homes and all you need is a good internet connection,” Jaylene said.

After spending many hours in lockdown researching and studying online, her mission now is to teach aspiring entrepreneurs and job seekers about opportunities in the digital space.

“There are many ways people can earn a living, like freelancing as a social media manager, graphic designer, video editor, digital copywriter, selling your products or services online, content creator, influencer, YouTuber, podcaster, and affiliate marketing,” she said.

Although South Africa is not known necessarily as a ‘high-tech country’, fortunately the digital space is borderless and limitless, and allows almost anyone to take advantage of the opportunities offered.

“There’s still a huge digital gap in South Africa but what people can do for now is conduct research and verify legitimacy so that they’re not scammed. Once you start, a lot of virtual doors will open. The fact that Randfontein is catching up with having fibre installed in almost all the neighbourhoods is a step in the right direction. Now it’s more of a mindset shift where people need to ask themselves and realise how best they take advantage of the web world.”

Jaylene said she would conduct workshops across the Rand West City region, where she would show people how to start up programmes and eventually earn a decent living.

“My ultimate goal is to be one of the pioneering companies in the digital marketing industry in South Africa, and assist fellow young entrepreneurs achieve their business objectives through digital marketing and technological advances,” Jaylene concluded.