The Department of e-Government led by MEC Bonginkosi Dhlamini embarked on an outreach programme to empower the youth in Etwatwa, Ekurhuleni with ICT and entrepreneurial skills. The ICT skills training took place on 24 and 25 October 2024 to allow more young people to attend the training. 
 
The ICT skills training is part of the department's ICT skills development program rendered under the Gauteng Center of Excellence; an innovation center that has been established by Gauteng e-Government to contribute towards township development.  
The aim of the ICT skills development program is to empower young people, women, and people with disabilities to obtain various digital soft skills and entrepreneurial skills while also mitigating the shortage of skills in the ICT skills in our townships. 
 
In this case, the department targets Gauteng communities identified as Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostels (TISH). This comes after the current administration in government identified the need to further develop TISH areas by delivering impactful services to Gauteng residents. 
MEC for e-Government Bonginkosi Dhlamini indicated that the ICT program is designed to introduce young people to the ICT sector and provide them with soft skills trainings so that they may be able to compete for opportunities in the marketplace. 
"The entrepreneurial training offered on this day played a critical role to impart business managerial skills to the youth, prepare them for opportunities while providing them with ICT skills to navigate the world of technology" said Dhlamini.   
Subsequently, the participants will be awarded with certificates, to recognize their achievements throughout the training. The certificates of completion can be used to further their education in other ICT related fields, apply for jobs that require the relevant digital skills or to improve on their existing or new business ventures.