Beyond Bytes (Exploring the African Digital Landscape)

In this episode, we embark on a profound exploration, leveraging the experience of our COO, Qhakaza Mohare, who has thrived in an inclusive environment, demonstrating how investing in women accelerates progress not just within organizations but across society.

The concept of "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress" encapsulates the idea that by prioritizing and supporting women's empowerment, we can not only achieve gender equality but also catalyze broader societal advancement and progress.

We hope you enjoy this episode!

World Youth Skills Month is a time to celebrate and empower young people by equipping them with the necessary skills to succeed in the modern world. As part of this celebration, a conversation was held on building businesses using digital tools with business coach and entrepreneur Hetty The Entrepreneur. In the podcast episode, Hetty shared valuable insights and advice on how young people can use digital tools to start and grow their businesses.
During the conversation, Hetty emphasized the importance of embracing technology and digital platforms in today's business landscape. She discussed how digital tools like social media, e-commerce platforms, and online marketing strategies could help young entrepreneurs reach a wider audience and establish a solid online presence. Hetty also highlighted the benefits of using digital tools for market research, customer engagement, and streamlining business processes.

Aurelia Nxumalo joins us. She talks to us about the importance of creating safe spaces for conversations on

internet safety and how we can all play an active role in adopting healthy digital habits when

using technology.

Silindile Bhebe, Project Manager for Meta Boost, recently had the opportunity to recap the importance of creating a digital presence for businesses on Vow FM. During her interview, she highlighted the importance of having a well-developed online presence, as it is essential for businesses to reach new customers and grow their reach. She also discussed how businesses can use digital marketing tools such as SEO and PPC to get their message out to the right people. Bhebe spoke about how creating a digital presence can give businesses a competitive edge by increasing their visibility and reach. Finally, she emphasized the importance of consistency when it comes to digital marketing, as it helps create trust with potential customers and keeps them engaged. Bhebe's recap provided valuable insight into the importance of creating a digital presence for businesses, and we highly recommend checking out her interview with the Vow FM Team.

Successful entrepreneurs are already taking advantage of the many benefits of digitalization. Our Project Manager for Meta Boost, Silindile Bhebe talks with the Deep South FM team about our #BoostBusinessShower event on the future of entrepreneurship, creative industries, and how entrepreneurs can leverage Meta digital tools to grow their businesses. 

South Africans’ attitudes to entrepreneurship have continued upward since 2003, with more than 80% viewing entrepreneurship as a good career choice. We chat with the founder of @KasiEconomy, Kabelo Makinta, about the state of entrepreneurship in township communities. Click here to learn more:

We are joined by Patience Maposa, a researcher with Birguid, a strategy, finance and

enterprise development agency for Africa's private and public sector organisations. to talk about

the importance of strategy for SMMES and small enterprise development in Africa.

Mam' Connie Chiume is pioneering our #AntiBullyingWeek2022 Online Safety Drive campaign, called #SaferInternetBetterWorld. She is an advocate and counselor to many young people on the effects of cyberbullying and the importance of self-care, especially for those who are victims.

Because of the digital divide, people in rural, underdeveloped, and township areas — those who

are most in need of the employment possibilities and technological know-how that come with

access to the internet are also the ones who are least likely to receive them. This month we

explore digital solutions that can help build the township and rural digital economies.

Because of the digital divide, people in rural, underdeveloped, and township areas — those who

are most in need of the employment possibilities and technological know-how that come with

access to the internet are also the ones who are least likely to receive them. This month we

explore digital solutions that can help build the township and rural digital economies.

We are joined by Tapfuma Musewe, founder of Afrifursa, a platform that is shifting the narrative around Africa by connecting the Canadian and African fintech ecosystems and engaging in social impact partnerships - through shared thought leadership, understanding of the fintech startup environment, market intelligence, and awareness of B2B opportunities.

In honour of Women's Month, Dr Osuigwe, Director of Human Capacity Development and Training at African Library and Information Associations and Institutions, and multimedia journalist Nobantu Modise join us for a conversation. To talk about the socio-economic rights and empowerment of women. 

Missed our #TwitterSpace last month? Check out #DigifyAfricaUnpluggedConversations podcast to catch up on the insightful discussion on #eLearning in Africa. 

Our COO @QhakazaMohare sits down with @PowerFM #WeekendBreakfastTeam to chat about all things #DigitalSkills, and how #DigifyAfrica is preparing young people in Africa for in-demand digital skills.

The Social Media Director of Mediacom South Africa, Luzuko Tena, joins us in this episode as we discuss several ways that young people may be equipped for the digital economy.

In this #Unplugged conversation, we talk to the amazing Kelebogile Dikatso Sephoti about fighting young unemployment, unlocking Africa's potential via crucial skills training, and creating sustainable ecosystems that support entrepreneurs in this #Unlpugged conversation. Join the conversation and share your thoughts.

In this episode, we sit down with best-selling author, global speaker and trend specialist @JohnSanei to talk all things innovation and business, tune in if you are a budding business owner interested in building a sustainable enterprise.

We chat with Prof. Daramola who is currently an Associate Professor of Information Technology at the @ Cape Peninsula University of Technology, about #UnderstandingEGovernments in Africa. Tune in and let us know what you think! Do you use digital technologies to access government services?

How social media can be utilized to transform harmful narratives surrounding African life. Think of Hashtags such as #TheAfricaTheMediaNeverShowsYou #CreatorsForChange Social media presents a powerful platform for creating multiple stories about Africa. Embracing the accessibility of modern technology, African social media bloggers and commentators are using Facebook, YouTube, and other platforms to undermine long-standing “Afro-pessimistic” stereotypes.

Alexander Asomba from @Gettting Into Tech Despite Your Background joins us in conversation to talk about the rise of global tech entrepreneurs around the continent. Are you a budding tech entrepreneur interested in the space and looking for insight and tips? Take out your notepad and tune in. 

#DigifyBytes project manager Nothando, chats to @AlexFm about our nationwide digital literacy #DigifyBytes tune in to learn more.

Whether in politics, technology, athletics, or the arts, women have driven society forward

throughout history. Over the last year, the world has looked to trailblazing women who

overcame the obstacles of their time, to do what had never been done before. This

month we focus on women at the forefront of groundbreaking innovative work.

I am joined by Chiamaka Nwosu, co-founder & CEO MyMoniapp & Truckr Tech, serial

entrepreneur, business strategist. She has a background in Computer science, Project

management, and Business Development. She’s passionate about Technology, Business,

Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

As the world is rapidly becoming digital, A fundamental challenge in need of urgent resolution in

the digital age is how to protect human rights and freedoms on the Internet, and the most

a significant question that has come out of the digitization of the world is should access to the

internet and digital skills be, considered basic human rights?

Our Project Manager @Nothando Gininda talks to @Ikwekwezi FM about the exciting new initiative that #DigifyAfrica and the UK government are bringing to the continent, a nationwide digital literacy program aimed at rural areas throughout South Africa. If you missed it tune in here 

#DigitalEconomy #DigifyJobs #DigifyAfrica #OnlineOpportunities #DigifyJobs

This month, we're kicking off #UnpluggedConversations with an intriguing discussion about, how recruitment in the digital age has changed. Join us as we talk to @FaraiMubaiwa from @Yes4Youth about finding employment online.

Get your notebook ready.

#DigifyJobs #DigifyAfrica #DigitalCareers #DigitalEconomy #DigifyYouth #Podcast

Many South Africans face challenges to internet access, high data charges, and, most critically, basic digital literacy, making access to digital skills and literacy a significant concern. Listen to our Project Manager Nothando Gininda talk about #DigifyAfrica's new project that hopes to solve just that, #DigifyBytes, with @JoziFm's big breakfast.

Our dynamic Business Developer & Lead Trainer @Xolani Sedibe spoke to DeepSouth FM about how we are transforming the face of online learning using @Whatsapp

The EcoDoc app, which was recently launched at the @University of Cape Town's School of Economics, aims to translate over 1 000 economic terms into South Africa's 11 official languages. The goal is to help economics students understand terms and definitions in their home languages. Do you think we need more tools in African languages?

#DigifyAfrica #Education #Innovation #AfrotechCorner

As we wrap up the #ChatforImpact series, we chat to our CEO Gavin Weale about some of the innovative inventions that #DigifyAfrica has been leading through WhatsApp bots. Tune in to learn more about the work that #DigifyAfrica does in the innovation space.

#TechInnovation

Looking to communicate more effectively with your community? In our second episode of the #ChatforImpact series, we speak with the company that allows organizations to have guided online conversations that improve the lives of their audience, @Turn.io. Tune in to learn more about using digital tools for social impact.

#DigifyAfrica #SocialImpact #Innovation

How can mental health services be more accessible? We discuss solutions with @Strong Minds, an organization with a mission to improve mental health on the Africa continent. Strong Minds recently launched a WhatsApp chatbot called #Amani, placing them at the forefront of using digital technology to make an impact.

#DigifyAfrica #Whatsapp #Chatbot #Innovation

Creative Strategist & Digital Creative Nwabisa Mda talks us through the process of understanding the science of strategy tune in and let us know what you think? #DigifyAfrica #DigitalMarketing #Strategy 

If you missed out on the #DigifyTurns10 birthday celebration, tune in here to catch up on the exciting conversation around 10 years of digital skills education! #DigifyAfricaTurns10

For a continent as culturally rich and diverse as Africa, making sure that valuable cultural customs are available for future generations to enjoy via digital technologies becomes imperative. To capture the essence of this leading theme (Heritage Month), we want to focus on how we can use digital technologies to preserve and celebrate our heritage,  we chat to Dr. Athambile Masola 

In this episode, we go back in time and revisit a conversation we had with artists who have played a significant role in upholding South African culture  We chat about Heritage in the Digital Age. Joined by Zoe Modiga, Nadine Cloete, Nkuli Mlangeni, and the poetry duo Yamoria 

This episode looks at both Digital and young people in entrepreneurship, digital entrepreneurship is a term that describes how entrepreneurship will change, as business and society continue to be transformed by digital technology. We are joined by Irene Okoye from the African Management Institute, an organization that offers practical business and management tools via technological means.

In this episode, we chat to Bryan Obonyo founding member of a Collective of Black Africans living in London who were all motivated to cultivate the musical palates of Londoners. 

Contemporary feminist activism’s deep engagement with social media and popular culture is offering women opportunities to mobilize for women’s rights. These moments have called for us to rethink feminist digital activism but beyond that to have a wider conversation around archiving of feminist thought via digital platforms since the world lives online I am joined by Gorata Chengeta a researcher and writer from Botswana. She is a student and teacher at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. She enjoys writing, thinking, and teaching about sexuality, politics, feminism, and justice.

Experts describe Afrotech as a convergence of black culture and technology, in this episode, we chat with Tshwanelo from the Digita Doro Podcast about how Afrotech looks like in Africa. 

Follow us on: 

Twitter @DigifyAfrica

Facebook @DigifyAfrica

Instagram @DigifyAfrica 

Today we are looking at the notion of “the angry black woman” and busting this stereotype that often paints us as bad-tempered, hostile and overly aggressive. Tune in for our conversation with Luleka Mossie, Malebo Sephodi, Kovini Moodley & Nolwazi Tusini facilitated by our COO, Qhakaza Mohare.

Digify Africa COO, Qhakaza Mohare talks to Afika Jadezweni & Naledi Mashishi about the “Strong Black Woman” and vulnerability in the workplace.

This year's International Women's Day campaign has chosen the theme #ChooseToChallenge with the idea that a challenged world is an alert world and individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions. This episode explores what that means to 4 women from the Digify Africa team.

Speakers

Qhakaza Mthembu - COO: Digify Africa (Moderator)

Celestine Lugaye Ukpere - Project Manager: Digify Kenya

Florence Atunwa Olumodimu - Project Manager: Digify Nigeria

Keneilwe Malotle - Project Manager: Boost with Facebook

In this episode, we sit down with the funny creator, writer, and producer Sipho, to talk about how to make money on Youtube, we suggest you bring along a notebook for this episode because the class was in session as you can tell by the length. Sipho touches on digital tools to make your Youtube journey easier, we talk about collaborations, marketing and most importantly making MONEY.

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Twitter@DigifyAfrica

Facebook@DigifyAfrica

Instagram@DigifyAfrica

In this episode we are joined by a young, unapologetically black queer Johannesburg based multi-talented creative, LELOWHATSGOOD. We chat about representation in mass media and the digital space, having a seat at the table in deciding who gets to tell the queer narrative in digital marketing and exploring how the digital space has opened a space to dare to be different! 

Follow us on: 

Twitter@DigifyAfrica

Facebook@DigifyAfrica 

Instagram@DigifyAfrica 

In this episode, we are joined by LeboLion, speaker, podcast host, social media strategist and SMME Growth specialist. We chat about content creation, growing and building brands in the digital economy and most importantly what does the Digital Economy mean for young people! And lastly, what can the world learn from African digital creators. 

Follow us on: 

Twitter@DigifyAfrica

Facebook@DigifyAfrica

Instagram@DigifyAfrica 

Unplugged Conversation Series honours young digital natives thriving in the digital economy and offers a platform for storytelling and conversation around successfully growing in the digital economy and the challenges thereof. Brought to you by Digify Africa. Coming to wherever  you get your podcast on June 4th