Do not trust online strangers

SECUNDA – Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize, Deputy Minister of Telecommunication and Postal Services, encouraged the youth who attended the Govan Mbeki Local Municipal Youth Career Development and Exhibition to develop an interest in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector and become active participants on Saturday, 27 June.

She said it is evident in the ICT sector that the youth has a vague understanding of career options and opportunities available to them.

“Young people, prepare yourselves for future jobs in the ICT sector by learning relevant ICT skills.

“The future in the ICT sector looks bright and is brimming with opportunities.

“As we walk into the unknown future where some of the jobs are yet to be defined, you need to equip yourselves with relevant ICT skills.

“As a new sector, the ICT sector has brilliant career opportunities, including broadcasting, and you must take advantage of them.”

Prof Mkhize reminded the youth about the importance of good conduct online.

“It all brings us back to our individual responsibilities: do we carry the same moral standards which we practice in the real world to the virtual world?

“The main problem is that what seems to be so difficult to do in the real world, all of a sudden becomes easier to do virtually.

“If you are not comfortable with a stranger in the real world, why would you be comfortable in the virtual world?”

Prof Mkhize was accompanied by stakeholders from the private sector, namely Sentech, Vodacom, Telkom, Icasa, Nyda, Usaasa, Broadband Infraco, Nemisa and zaDNA.

These stakeholders exhibited and addressed the youth about possible career options and opportunities available in their organisations.

Mr Mavhungu Makatu from Icasa urged young people to mobilise themselves and apply for a community radio station service license as well as a spectrum license.

“We give lots of radio equipment to community radio stations, take advantage of them.

“Most of the popular DJs began at community radio stations.

“Community radio stations are a training field for the youth.”

Mr Magatho Mello from Sentech reminded the youth that yesterday’s heroes did not seek money or fame when they fought for the country, that is why they are well recognised today.

He said young people should not be discouraged, even if they happen to not have done well in Grade 12.

“There are technical colleges and universities of technologies where you can further your careers in ICT as long as you are determined.”

Mr Thabo Modishane from Telkom encouraged the youth to group themselves and through the municipality or an institution of higher learning they must approach Telkom to partner with them to place qualified young people into different structures within Telkom.

He said that such partnerships already exist with institutions such as the Vaal University of Technology.

The local youth showed an interest in the skills development opportunities offered by companies and the National Youth Development Agency.

Interest was also shown in the formation of a community radio station as well as business opportunities for young people in the ICT sector.

They pleaded with companies that they need to be visible enough with their opportunities and have asked that the session is not the last one.

Mr Sakhile Mahlangu, MMC for Planning and Development, urged the youth to make use of every opportunity given to them.