Digital literacy development programmes are helping young unemployed people in Johannesburg, with Ivory Park Library lighting up with hope:
Johannesburg, South Africa (10 May 2024) — Libraries in Johannesburg are becoming a place of upskilling thanks to the Digital Literacy Development rollout in parts of the City of Gold! This week, Ivory Park Library welcomed over 20 unemployed young community members to get introduced to the library website as the starting point of their digital literacy journeys.
“These young people, most of them have never touched a computer, they are unemployed, they live in a rough area (today there was no water) there is not much to do….but they are also looking for SOMETHING positive or someone to show them the possibilities to change their lives,” said Jeff Nyoka, eLearning Library services manager for the City.
There, the young and eager community members were able to register for different online courses making up the digital literacy session, where a demonstration of the online courses helped them navigate how to get Microsoft certificates, information about courses on CV creation, project management, and other helpful resources.
Ivory Park Library was the latest to experience the City of Joburg’s Library and Information Services eLearning initiative in action, with other Jozi libraries like Florida Library hosting digital programmes and workshops too.
“The most rewarding part of our work is when you witness impact in real time! Immediately! Just the confirmation that someone discovered new information or skill. Priceless!” Remarked Jeff, who added that the community are generally lovely and the youth are responsive.
Given South Africa’s dire need for upskilling and digital skills growth, the eLearning initiative is something that not only reminds us why libraries are such important public resources but makes us dream about a more digitally savvy SA for everyone.
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