Minister Solly Malatsi
By Lerato Mpembe
The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, has officially opened a cutting-edge STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Lab at the University of Limpopo, aimed at equipping students and the surrounding community with essential skills for the digital era.
Speaking at the launch on Saturday, Minister Malatsi emphasized the transformative potential of the facility:
“This STEM Lab represents hope, progress, and opportunity. For the youth in Mamotintane, Ga-Motholo, Mankweng, and surrounding communities, it is a gateway to skills in artificial intelligence, robotics, and data analytics.”A Gateway to the Future
The STEM Lab, established through strategic partnerships with the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA), STEMpower, DHL, and other key stakeholders, is designed to empower students and community members with critical digital skills.
By focusing on fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and data analytics, the lab is expected to provide:
• Access to high-demand skills for future employment and entrepreneurship.
• Opportunities for educators to inspire and nurture the next generation of innovators.
• Support for the unemployed, equipping them with meaningful skills for economic inclusion.
Malatsi highlighted the lab’s role as a resource not just for the university but also for the broader community:
“This lab is not just a resource for the university but for the entire community. It is proof of what we can achieve when government, academia, and industry work together to create sustainable, scalable solutions for digital inclusion.”The Role of STEM in Economic Growth
Minister Malatsi emphasized the importance of STEM in driving the modern economy:
“STEM forms the backbone of the modern economy, driving technological advancements, innovation, and economic growth.”The lab’s focus on equipping young people with STEM skills aligns with the department’s vision of preparing South Africans to excel in fields with growing global demand, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and data analytics.
“By equipping young people with STEM skills, we are preparing them to excel in high-demand fields. Let us harness the power of STEM education to build a South Africa where technology serves as a bridge to inclusion and opportunity, ensuring that no one is left behind,” said Malatsi.A Broader Digital Transformation Initiative
The STEM Lab at the University of Limpopo is part of a broader initiative by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies to:
• Expand access to affordable internet and devices.
• Foster skills development in underserved areas.
• Promote the productive use of technology.
• Position South Africa as a leading Information and Communications Technology (ICT) investment destination.
The department’s strategy aims to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that communities in rural and semi-urban areas are not left behind as South Africa transitions to a more technology-driven economy.
A National Rollout
The Limpopo lab is one of several such facilities being established across South Africa, with similar initiatives planned at:
• Walter Sisulu University.
• King Hintsa TVET College.
• Ehlanzeni TVET College.
• Central University of Technology.
These labs aim to replicate the success of the Limpopo model, empowering communities nationwide and creating hubs of innovation and opportunity.
A Collaborative Effort
Minister Malatsi lauded the collaboration between government, academia, and industry that made the lab possible. This partnership approach is seen as a blueprint for future initiatives aimed at driving digital inclusion and fostering economic growth.
“It is proof of what we can achieve when government, academia, and industry work together to create sustainable, scalable solutions for digital inclusion,” said Malatsi.Building a Bridge to Inclusion
As South Africa navigates the challenges of digital transformation, the establishment of STEM Labs underscores the government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and preparing its citizens for a technology-driven future.
Minister Malatsi concluded his address with a call to action:
“Let us harness the power of STEM education to build a South Africa where technology serves as a bridge to inclusion and opportunity, ensuring that no one is left behind.”🔴Central News Weekly Edition 086🔴 Download the Latest Edition | Top Story: “Hung Council Persists in Thabazimbi as ANC Falls Short of Majority in By-Elections”
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