SA job seekers, file photo
by MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – ABOUT 3 000 small South African businesses are to receive in vital tools and technologies to enable them unlock digital growth opportunities.
Facebook and Digify Africa are partnering for the training programme known as ‘Boost with Facebook’.
Formerly known as Boost Your Business, is an opportunity for learning and skills development for entrepreneurs, including small businesses, jobseekers, and other community leaders, allowing them to find the resources and training they need to thrive in the digital economy.
It also lives as an interactive, audience-curated website that houses and organizes the many services, resources, and training’s available to small businesses, job seekers, and community leaders across Facebook’s family of apps and services.
Emilar Gandhi, Public Policy Lead at Facebook, Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, said small and medium-sized businesses were the catalysts of growth and job creation in South Africa.
Gandi said with more than 1,6 billion people connected to small or medium business on Facebook, Boost with Facebook aimed to enable local businesses to use Facebook, WhatsApp Business and Instagram to unlock new business opportunities and conquer new markets.
Training sessions are scheduled in Ekurhuleni, Tsakane, Johannesburg Central, Soweto, Mthatha, Sedibeng, Mbombela and Cape Town.
During 2018, Facebook brought digital training workshops to small business owners in more than 15 towns and cities in seven South African provinces.
Qhakaza Mthembu, Chief Operating Officer at Digify Africa, said they were invigorated to reach more businesses and equip them with the hands-on digital skills.
Mthembu said this was inspired by how powerful Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp had been for businesses trained last year.
“Digify Africa is excited to continue working with Facebook to reach more entrepreneurs,” Mthembu added.
– CAJ News