Umuzi.org

It is moments like these that remind us why we do what we do! 🙌 We’re so honored to have been part of this incredible journey Tshepo Mohlophehi! Keep growing, keep shining, and keep showing the world what you’re made of. The tech industry better be ready for all your magic! 🥳

Umuzi Pulse is out and this edition features an insightful piece by our Chief of Staff, Liezel Vorster, titled “Finding My Place in the Future of AI: A Non-Techie’s Perspective.” In this thoughtful read, Liezel explores how AI is reshaping our world, Liezel challenges us to reflect on how AI can help us focus on what makes us human, while also urging us to be intentional about the values we’re embedding in these systems. It’s a must-read! Check it out now for a fresh perspective on navigating the AI landscape. 🌱

We're hiring we're hiring we're hiring! We know you've seen a lot of this lately, and all we can say is we're GRATEFUL to 2024 for bringing forth so many wonderful growth opportunities for our organisation as we scale globally in 2025. 🌠 This year came with the incredible win on a proposal to launch our Experience Lab, an innovative last-mile experience incubator which seeks to overcome the experience gap that exists in South Africa’s labour market.  We are so excited to bring this opportunity to young people in South Africa, and are looking for the right humans to help us breathe life into this incubator. We're looking for a Product Manager to oversee the operations, management, and successful completion of Impact Gigs within the Experience Lab. This individual will be responsible for sourcing, classifying, allocating, and reviewing Impact Gigs, ensuring that they align with learners' skills and corporate standards. If this person is you, or you know someone - pass the buck and let's make magic together in 2025. ✨ More on the role: https://lnkd.in/d9hBRxNH

This is an ad break to take a moment to appreciate our extraordinary team. Yes, they are weird, wacky and wonderful - but beyond that, they truly know how to get things done. Year ends are always crazy, as we push the limits to make sure we tie up the loose ends of the year that was, and start weaving the beginnings of the year to come. It is safe to say that 2025 is already looking profoundly exciting, and we can't wait to take you along with us on the journey. Team Umuzi, we're relentlessly proud of the work you constantly put in to ensure our organisation continues to move the needle. You do it with a smile (or something vaguely similar) on your face - and we absolutely love that! Shoutout to you, shoutout to us. *This is just a small sample of our expanding team, but they summarise us well. 😉

In 2023 we launched a global expansion project with SAP through the Educate To Employ program, an initiative aimed at preparing underserved young minds for the workforce. This program will see hundreds of young people across the world acquiring in-demand, high-value skills in order to kickstart their professional careers! 📈 Our pilot program that ran within South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya has been evergreen and in 2025 we will continue the rollout globally. 🌍 In this expansion, we're looking for an SAP qualified Education Specialist to join our team as a consultant, ensuring our curriculums are aligned with market-demanded skills. If this resonates with you or someone in your network, please see more info on the role here: https://lnkd.in/e28gu3pv

Meet Bongiwe Msibi from Protea Glen in Soweto - a young woman with big dreams and even bigger determination! Before she joined the SAP Educate to Employ program in collaboration with Umuzi, Sbongiwe was relentless — taking digital marketing courses, seeking opportunities, and pursuing her dreams. Then, she discovered Umuzi and the SAP Educate to Employ programme - and her journey took a transformative turn! Through this programme, Bongiwe gained hands-on expertise in SAP, learning to master end-to-end business processes and optimise and streamline operations like a pro! Now, Bongiwe is focused on her next goal: landing an internship or entry-level position where her SAP skills and expertise can shine. Bongiwe isn’t  just prepared for the future—she’s charging ahead with determination and inspiring others to do the same. Ready to see where this journey takes her? Let’s cheer her on as she turns her dreams into reality! #SAPEducateToEmploy #UmuziJourney #Inspiration #DigitalSkills #FutureReady

Meet Henry Gitau, a passionate tech professional from Nairobi, Kenya! With a Bachelor's degree in Computer + Electronics Systems, Henry has always been driven by a deep interest in user experience and customer support. Before joining the SAP Educate to Employ program, Henry was a student at Mount Kenya University, where he earned the above-mentioned certification. His studies there provided him with a solid technical foundation, and he gained valuable knowledge in both hardware and software aspects of technology. This background fueled his interest in applying technical skills to real-world challenges, especially in areas where technology and user experience intersect. Through the SAP Educate to Employ program, he gained invaluable skills in SAP technology, empowering him to deliver user-focused solutions. During his studies, Henry had the opportunity to work for a government company, where he was involved in network and customer support operations. This role gave him the opportunity to gain practical and hands-on experience and to apply his academic knowledge in a practical setting, particularly in managing network systems and assisting users with technical issues. Henry is now focused on his ultimate goal: becoming a Lead Network Engineer. With his commitment to improving network systems and user experiences, he aspires to lead teams in developing robust network infrastructures that ensure seamless connectivity and security. Achieving this goal will allow him to make a meaningful impact by optimising network systems and enhancing user experiences on a larger scale. Henry is on the fast track to making a lasting impact in the tech world!

🗣️ November is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, and to close the month off, we want to drive a meaningful and impactful conversation around this. Men's mental health has been a significant issue for years, with many facing unique challenges that often go unspoken. 🌍 Every day, countless men face struggles that can feel overwhelming, with one life lost to suicide approximately every 80 minutes.Many men—around 6 in every 10—report experiencing trauma in their lives.Tragically, men are significantly more likely to die by suicide, with rates 3.5 times higher than women; these numbers highlight a need for urgent action and support. At the heart of this issue is our shared commitment to preventing premature loss and creating spaces where men feel empowered to seek help and support. 🎙️ We would like to invite you to our first-ever Men's Mental Health Panel Discussion, where we will be talking through some of the stigmas surrounding the key pillars of men's health. Below is a link to add this crucial discussion to your calendar to ensure you don't miss it 🗓️ : https://evt.to/eumaidmgw On the panel, we will have Dr Leroy Witbooi, a Urologist 🩺 with a decade of clinical experience. He will explore sustainable preventative and treatment options available to men. We'll also discuss various other pillars of Men's Mental Health with our esteemed guests that we can't wait to share with you. Join us this Friday on the link below discuss as we tackle some important issues surrounding Men’s Health. https://lnkd.in/dSv2ZkRx

At only 23, Pretoria-born Reaobaka Komane is a perfect example of where passion meets technology - ultimately culminating in a human-centered tech enthusiast ready to change the world. Growing up, he had one aspiration: to use technology and data to make life easier for people. To achieve this ambition, Reaobaka went through the SAP programme in collaboration with Umuzi and UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited to become an SAP Certified Associate. This year-long journey was both challenging and transformative, equipping him with technical and professional skills to thrive in any organisation.But Rea’s tech journey didn’t start here. Even before Umuzi, he was diving deep into data science and machine learning, completing courses and bootcamps on Udemy and Coursera. His curiosity and determination unlocked opportunities like working as a Data/Telemetry Analyst for Kart Republic (formerly Squadra Corse). There he analysed data to predict outcomes and improve performance. Armed with his SAP expertise, machine learning knowledge, and love for data, Reaobaka is ready to help make a difference in the world, using his skills to make people’s lives easier!

Exactly one year ago, a pool of brilliant minds from South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya came together to form the first cohort of the SAP Educate to Employ Program. What started as a group of strangers has grown into a skilled, empowered, and supportive community Thank you for sharing your journey with us Phindile Angel Dhlamini, it is nothing short of inspiring, and it is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience that come from pushing through challenges. You have set an incredible example for all who follow in your footsteps. Here's to many more accomplishments ahead! 🙌 Congratulations to you, Phindile, and the entire first cohort of the Educate to Employ program! 🥳