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Independent (Themalethu Shangase)

Ms Shangase is the Head of Programmes at Naspers Labs, where she in charge of overseeing the operations and implementation of programmes as well as the continued development of the programme strategy. To date, the programme has supported over 5000 unemployed youth, providing them with access to in-demand digital skills such as software development, cyber-security, cloud engineering, data analytics, Ai, automations and tech support. The youth are also given access to work experience opportunities. In addition to the youth tech-training, the programme has also supported over 50 small enteprises have been mentorship, coaching and acceleration. Ms Shangase, an emerging leader, and voice in youth development, is devoted to the country's youth and the creation of possibilities for young innovative entrepreneurs and digital talent. She is a strategist and connecter, bringing together those with amazing ideas and putting them in touch with the resources they require to make them a reality. Her character pillars are compassion, empathy, and integrity, and they are what keep her interested and driven to work in the socioeconomic development arena. These attributes are best demonstrate in her contributions to the startup ecosystem through Last Friday tech meet-ups, Burning Heroes Founders Association startup contest, MTN App of the Year, Founders Institute Mentor and contributor to the ecosystem actively participating in early stage startup ecosystem. Ms Shangase is a builder, at heart, eager to see a brighter future for the continent; her passion for the continent is played out in her role as the Director, Global Support Unit at International Youth Federation where she leads a unit dedicated to support youth to deliver impactful community and social projects. Empowering the youth to be the change they wish to see. Ms Shangase has over thirteen years of professional experience in the socioeconomic development sector, spanning the business, educational, governmental, and non-profit sectors. She has worked as a development economist, strategist, lead qualitative and quantitative researcher, and provided stakeholder engagement, programme design and implementation, and monitoring and evaluation consulting services. She has a Master of Development Studies degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Leadership training from the Gordon Institute of Business (GIBs) and is currently pursuing a PhD in Development Finance at the School of Business at Stellenbosch University. Her ultimate professional goal is to mobilise resources to drive South Africa and the continent forward. So that, in her lifetime, Africa (as the world's breadbasket) may create a fair and equitable return for the bread it gives. Growing Africa's tech market share one talent and one enterprise at a time!

Headquarter Country

South Africa

Geographies served

South Africa

Issue areas addressed

Education

Communities served

Youth People without employment Small scale businesses People with disabilities

SDGs focus

SDG 4 - Quality Education SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth

Collaborators

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