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 Your phone is outdated.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.
