In this, ORT SA perfectly accomplished its goal of not allowing a person’s background to predetermine their success. The organisation strives to incorporate this ethos through its mission to upskill and educate young South Africans in disadvantaged areas for a promising future.

Over the past twenty years, the business landscape has undergone a profound shift. What began with face-to-face meetings and analogue workflows has given way to instant connectivity, digital ecosystems, and truly global opportunities. Entrepreneurs today no longer rely solely on individual resilience, they thrive within empowered networks of peers, mentors and partners.

YEP was introduced by international skills development non-profit organisation, ORT South Africa in 2022 and is funded by the Support Teacher Empowerment Trust. In this programme, learners aged 14 to 16 from all over the world go on a 30-week curriculum that provides them with a thorough introduction to the world of innovation, technology and entrepreneurship.

ORT SA launched the Thato Malope study centre at Mbongeni Mgugudu Secondary School on August 21. The centre honours Thato Malope’s memory, a learner who passed away earlier this year. The learning centre comprises a computer, printers and books.

The Co-operative Education Unit at the Centre for Community Engagement and Work-Integrated Learning recently had the inspiring opportunity to connect and empower participants at the I Am Woman 2025 AEDF ORTSA Women’s Conference, themed “I Am Woman – Fueling Her Journey”