Epson South Africa recently hosted students from the Bonamelo Melisizwe Foundation at its Innovation Centre in Johannesburg for a full day of exposure to technology, mentorship and real conversations about the world of work. The initiative forms part of Epson’s ongoing efforts to bridge the opportunity gap for young people in underserved communities, especially those who may not have the resources to access university or formal training. Epson aims to demystify the world of work in ICT for young people and offer practical insight into alternative career paths that don’t require a university degree to get started.
“Access to tertiary education is key to ensuring today’s youth have the resources they need to build fulfilling careers and futures,” says Timothy Thomas, Country Manager at Epson South Africa. “What we can do as a business is support foundations like this one and make it our responsibility to create platforms where young people can see what’s possible and more importantly, where they feel they can one day belong.”
Throughout the day, students engaged with Epson’s technology and met professionals from across the business, exploring career options in a range of disciplines, including print, digital design, innovation and operations. From showcasing cutting-edge printers and projectors to unpacking what a day in the tech industry looks like, the goal was to spark new thinking about how and where these learners could see themselves in the future. “There is nothing in my experience as powerful as exposure,” says Bonamelo Moloi, founder and chairperson of the Bonamelo Melisizwe Foundation.
“For many of these kids, it was the first time they had left the township, the first time they got to interact with technology, ask questions and realise that people who’ve ‘made it’ aren’t that different from them.” Moloi added that mentorship and skills-sharing are vital in communities where young people often “mentored by their pain or struggle”. He believes corporate partners have a critical role to play in creating alternative pathways for young people to enter the economy with dignity.
Founded just three years ago, the Bonamelo Melisizwe Foundation has impacted over 10,000 lives through programmes focused on digital skills development, education and menstrual health awareness. Despite operating without long-term corporate support, the foundation continues to deliver free programming that empowers youth in under-resourced and emerging communities.
“Today is not a once-off experience. If anything, it’s a prototype for how companies can help shift what’s possible for youth by creating spaces designed to educate, interact and collaborate.”
