Turning Waste into Skills and Economic Growth

by marketing | Jul 23, 2025 | blog, News @ ORT

South Africa is facing a growing waste crisis. From overflowing landfills to rising e-waste, the environmental and social costs are becoming harder to ignore. But what if the solution to two of our biggest challenges—waste and unemployment—could actually be one and the same?
At ORT SA, we believe it can.
This Mandela Day, we partnered with Pikitup, Johannesburg’s official waste management service, to explore the connection between environmental responsibility and skills development. What we found was clear: waste isn’t just a problem—it’s a powerful opportunity.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞
Every year, South Africa generates millions of tons of waste—much of it ending up in landfills or illegally dumped in informal settlements. E-waste, in particular, is rising fast, often handled unsafely, causing pollution and health risks.
But the problem isn’t just environmental. Unmanaged waste worsens inequality, especially in under-resourced communities. The cost is paid in both health and lost economic potential.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟔𝐑𝐬: 𝐀 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭
During our Mandela Day session, Pikitup introduced the 6Rs:
• Rethink
• Reduce
• Reuse
• Repair
• Recycle
• Respect
These are practical framework for change. Teaching youth to apply the 6Rs doesn’t only shift environmental habits. It opens doors for new ways to earn a living—through recycling businesses, repair workshops, and upcycled product design.

𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐛𝐬
At ORT SA, our goal is not only to educate but to equip. We teach learners how to take waste and transform it into real-world opportunities:
• A discarded computer becomes a refurbished product
• Old clothing becomes a fashion item
• Broken devices become spare parts or raw materials for new projects
These are not future ideas—they’re skills learners are building now. With proper training and support, waste becomes a resource, not a burden.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞
South African companies are under growing pressure to meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets. Partnering with organisations like ORT SA provides a meaningful way to meet these goals through skills development, job creation, and sustainability.
Your business can get involved through:
• Sponsoring skills training programmes
• Employee volunteering
• Joint sustainability campaigns
Let’s turn corporate social responsibility into lasting impact.

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝
“It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” – Nelson Mandela
We’re calling on corporate South Africa to join us.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤?
💬 What’s one thing your company or community is doing—or could be doing—to turn waste into opportunity?
We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below—and may feature your idea in a future post.
📩 Interested in partnering with ORT SA? Email helene@ortsa.org.za to get in touch

How AI Is Transforming Education

by marketing | Jul 14, 2025 | blog, News @ ORT

𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐀𝐈 𝐈𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

As a child, I sat at the front of the class—not out of ambition, but necessity. I couldn’t see the chalkboard from the back, and I struggled to focus. That challenge still exists in classrooms today, only now it’s amplified by constant digital distractions. But change is coming.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quietly transforming education—not replacing teachers, but empowering them. From personalized learning to smart tutoring systems, AI is helping students learn at their own pace, and teachers better meet their needs.

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐈 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
AI: Enables machines to perform human-like tasks such as decision-making and problem-solving.

Machine Learning (ML): Helps systems improve through data.

Large Language Models (LLMs): Like ChatGPT, they generate human-like responses and can tutor, assist, and support students.

Globally, schools are beginning to experiment with AI-powered learning. From Khan Academy’s AI tutor Khanmigo, to Alpha Schools’ flipped classrooms, where mornings focus on personalized AI learning and afternoons on life skills—this shift is redefining what’s possible in education.

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦
AI saves teachers time on admin and lesson planning—up to 6 hours a week—freeing them to focus on teaching and mentoring. When supported by training and clear policy, the impact grows even more. Teachers using AI report creating better, more inclusive materials tailored to student needs.
𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
Despite its promise, AI raises critical concerns: data privacy, algorithmic bias, and equitable access. If we’re not careful, these tools could widen the gap they aim to close. Education must remain human-centred, and tech must serve all students—not just those with access.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠
The classroom of tomorrow isn’t about robots—it’s about real connection, supported by smart tools. It’s a place where feedback is instant, learning is personalized, and teachers are valued.

To get there, we need investment in infrastructure, training, and inclusive policy. The most powerful force in education is still the human one—and with the right support, AI can help educators and learners thrive.

Remembering The Youth Of Yesterday

by marketing | Jun 25, 2025 | blog, News @ ORT

South Africa commemorated Youth Day; a time to reflect on the courage of those who came before us, and the boundless potential of those who are here now.

At ORT SA, we want every young person to remember this: You have power.

Power to choose.
Power to change.
Power to grow.

In a world that often feels uncertain, one thing remains true: the future will belong to those who are ready for it. And being ready doesn’t mean having all the answers, it means taking one step at a time. It means choosing to learn something new, to upskill, to invest in yourself, even when the odds seem stacked against you.

We know things are difficult. Jobs are scarce. Data is expensive. Opportunities are unequal. But difficult does not mean impossible.

The first step might be a short course in digital literacy. A CV you finally complete. A coding class. A workshop. A bold email you send. Every one of those steps plants a seed.

Because autonomy is power, and when you take control of your learning, you take control of your life.

Let’s honour Youth Day not just by looking back, but by moving forward.
Choose growth. Choose action. Choose you.

ORT SA is here to walk the journey with you. We believe in the strength of South African youth, and we’re building programs to help you turn potential into progress.

The future is not something you wait for. It’s something you build.
Start today.

Digital is Daily: Why Digital Skills Are Now a Human Right

by marketing | May 29, 2025 | blog, News @ ORT

Not long ago, digital literacy was considered a bonus skill; something that gave you an edge in the job market or helped you send an email a little faster. But in today’s world, digital is no longer optional, it’s essential. From accessing basic services to finding a job or attending school, the ability to navigate the digital world has become a basic human right.
At ORT SA, we believe that digital exclusion is the new form of inequality; and we’re determined to change that.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭
Imagine trying to apply for a job, but the application is only online. You don’t have a computer. Your phone is outdated. Data is expensive. Or worse, you don’t know how to write a CV, attach it to an email, or fill out an online form.
For millions of South Africans, this is the daily reality.
Whether it’s checking a bank balance, submitting a school assignment, or using a ride-hailing app to get to work; digital tools have become part of how we survive and thrive. The inability to engage with this world creates barriers that are as real as any locked door.
This is why digital illiteracy today is more than a disadvantage, it’s a form of exclusion. And it affects the most vulnerable the hardest: young people trying to access learning, job seekers, women entrepreneurs, rural communities, and the elderly.
At ORT SA, we see digital skills as a pathway to dignity, participation, and economic empowerment. Our Digital Skills Program is not just about learning how to use a computer, it’s about opening doors.
We meet people where they are, and help them go further than they imagined.

We work with real people at ORT SA who want to make real progress. From AEDF ORT SA Digital Skills graduate (2023) to AEDF New Venture Creation graduate (2025), Ashton February’s journey is a powerful reminder of what happens when opportunity meets support.
Ashton, a talented photographer from Cape Town, had his achievements recently celebrated at a surprise party organized by his wife, a well-deserved moment of recognition for his inspiring transformation.
“I am so grateful to ORT SA and AEDF for both of these programs as it has transformed the way I interact with technology and use it on a daily basis. Attending the New Venture Creation training has transformed the way I view my business and has allowed me to grow the business. A big thank you again to the people of ORT SA; Julius and Christopher, and for the opportunity,” Ashton shared.
His story is more than a personal win, it’s a reflection of ORT SA’s commitment to unlocking potential through accessible, relevant, and empowering learning.
This is the real impact of digital skills, not just access to tools, but the ability to use them to build a better life.

𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
In 2025, the right to digital literacy is as important as the right to clean water, education, and healthcare. Without it, people are shut out from basic opportunities, economically, socially, and civically.
Digital is how we access government services. It’s how we connect with family. It’s how we upskill, earn, advocate, learn, and lead.
Yet, access alone isn’t enough. Connectivity without capability is a dead end. That’s why our programs focus not only on access, but on real, usable skills that empower people to participate in the digital world confidently and safely.

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
We don’t just want to close the digital divide — we want to flip the script. We want young people in South Africa to build apps, unemployed youth to land remote jobs, and school learners to code robots that win national awards (as they already have in our Let Kidz Code program).
Because when people are equipped with the right tools and training, they rise and they lift communities with them.
We challenge you to connect with ORT SA
Whether you’re a company looking for a meaningful CSI partner, a school wanting to boost your tech capacity, a funder who believes in inclusive growth or a young South African looking to unlock your potential ORT SA is your ally in building a digitally literate South Africa.