Equipping Marginalized Young Men with Digital Futures and Lifelong Possibilities
Faces are blurred to protect privacy
At GRIT Hub, we believe in unlocking potential wherever it lies. Over the past several weeks, that belief came to life through a pilot coding and digital literacy program with young men from the Outeniekwa Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC) in George. In partnership with the MTN Skills Academy and supported by our local innovation ecosystem, this initiative marked a powerful first step toward digital inclusion for a group of youth often left out of South Africa’s innovation economy.
Our team welcomed the Outeniekwa CYCC learners into GRIT Hub’s co-working and training space, where they are recieving 3 of hands-on instruction in coding, web development fundamentals, and collaborative digital projects. Guided by experienced mentors and equipped with laptops and real-time feedback, the learners tackled each session with curiosity and growing confidence.
In addition to coding, participants were introduced to 3D printing, a key technology within the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This hands-on exposure allowed learners to see how physical products can be prototyped and manufactured using digital tools, sparking curiosity about tech's tangible applications.
The program began with digital career awareness and foundational concepts through the MTN Skills Academy platform. Each participant completed a career guidance assessment and progressed through targeted learning pathways in digital literacy, financial education, and entrepreneurship, core pillars that prepare them for meaningful engagement in the digital economy.
Looking ahead, GRIT Hub will enter Phase 2 of the program, where participants will be introduced to robotics and hardware systems. This next step will build on the already laid digital foundation and help learners explore the intersections of physical computing, automation, and problem-solving, empowering them to become creators of technology, not just consumers.
In parallel, we’re working with key partners to expand access to the MTN Skills Academy platform through our GRIT Hub Student Chapter at Nelson Mandela University’s George Campus. This expansion will offer digital skills training not only to first-year students but also to those looking to refresh and grow their capabilities in today’s fast-evolving economy.
For many of these young men, GRIT Hub is their first encounter with the world of digital careers. But we hope it won’t be their last. When they eventually leave the care system, our deepest intention is that they remember this experience, not just as a once-off workshop, but as a spark. A moment that planted the idea that they, too, have a place in the digital economy. There’s a path forward they can return to, where someone believes in their potential and is ready to help them build a future worth pursuing.
This is only the beginning.
If you’re an organization, business, or government agency interested in partnering with GRIT Hub to support youth digital empowerment, we invite you to connect with us. Together, we can expand the reach of technology, unlock talent, and build an inclusive innovation economy, starting here, on the Garden Route.