PIONEERING THE FUTURE: MICT SETA’s 5 YEAR ROADMAP & IMPACT OF IMPLEMENTING 4IR

In 2019, South Africa witnessed the genesis of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). During the State of the Nation Address on 7 February that year, President Ramaphosa declared the nation’s commitment to becoming a country of the future – ready to adapt, compete, and thrive in a world undergoing rapid and unprecedented transformation.

This vision gave birth to the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (PC4IR), a 30 -member panel comprising distinguished leaders from diverse sectors of society. The former Minister of the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams assumed the role of Secretariat and Coordinator of government’s 4IR programme. In her role, she spearheaded various national initiatives, including the official launch of the MICT SETA 4IR Advisory Committees in 2019.

Shortly thereafter, the MICT SETA established a dedicated 4IR Division led by Ms Gugu Sema, making it the first SETA in the country with a stand-alone division focused solely on driving 4IR initiatives.

“As Senior Manager, I have had the privilege of witnessing both the challenges and opportunities first-hand. I remain confident that our multi-faceted and collaborative approach will continue to deliver meaningful results” , Ms Sema reflects.

Strategic Vision Turned Reality: A Skills Revolution in the Making

By 2021, the MICT SETA took another decisive step by adopting the Integrated Digital Skills Strategy (IDSS). This strategy guided the development of future-focused 4IR Occupational Qualifications, enabled the creation of Research Chairs at higher learning institutions, and facilitated strategic partnerships with industry leaders in the private sector. These efforts laid the groundwork for a scalable, forward-looking digital skills pipeline. MICT SETA’s commitment to formalising 4IR training included launching pilot qualifications, many of which were subsequently endorsed by both the Quality Council on Trade and Occupations (QCTO) and South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The implementation of these qualifications helped set a new standard for skills development in the digital economy.

Partnerships with Purpose: Building Research and Innovation Ecosystems

The SETA’s pioneering partnership model with universities led to the establishment of multiple Research Chairs in partnership with universities including the funding of Masters and PhD candidates. These partnerships provided a fertile space for academic research and innovation, translating into tangible impact. These partnerships extended beyond academia, embracing industry and entrepreneurship – A number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with strategic industry partners to pilot the implementation of qualifications and other initiatives such as hackathons as part of cultivating a culture of innovation.

“We are excited about our collaborative efforts with institutions of higher learning. They are key to institutionalising formal 4IR training in South Africa” , affirms Matome Madibana, MICT SETA CEO. ”

Milestones That Matter: Achievements in Numbers:

In just five years, the MICT SETA’s 4IR Division has made significant strides in narrowing the digital skills divide and propelling South Africa’s workforce into the future. Some of the most notable achievements include:

• Development of Over fifty (50) 4IR – aligned qualifications: These were crafted to equip the youth with critical digital capabilities, addressing the digital skills divide and exposing unemployed youth to the world of technology.
• Support for Postgraduate Students: Through Research Chairs, more than six hundred (600) masters and PHD students advanced innovation in 4IR disciplines.
• Deployment of ICT Projects at Universities: Ten (10) MICT SETA ICT Projects were allocated to the universities under the Research Chairs for students to develop solutions including the Learner Management System that was spearheaded by the Tshwane University of Technology that is currently being used by the MICT SETA.
• 175+ Strategic Industry partnerships: The organisation also signed over 175 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with key strategic partners to enhance collaboration in training delivery, innovation, and digital inclusion. More than 1000 unemployed youth were trained on 4IR technologies such as AI, IOT, 3D Printing, Data Science and more.
• Creation of 130+ Permanent Jobs: More than 130 permanent jobs have been created from the 4IR programmes, demonstrating measurable impact on unemployment through targeted programmes.
• Establishment of Tech Startups and SMMEs: More than 40 companies have been registered specialising in various 4IR general purpose technologies (Optic Fibre, 5G and Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Software Development, Internet of Things etc.)
• Formation of Digital Cooperatives: More than 15 Registered Digital Cooperatives in areas like 3D Printing, 5G & Cloud computing, Optic Fibre, IoT, Software Development; Cell phone and Laptop repairs, were formed promoting and fostering self-employment.
• Launch of Five Digital Incubation Programmes: Three (3) focused on Artificial Intelligence; Two (2) on Optic Fibre, and Mobile Device Repairs).

Looking Ahead: Scaling the Vision

As Advisory Committees prepare to elect new chairpersons for the next five-year term, the focus is squarely on scaling and deepening impact. The number of universities participating under research chairs will be increased from 16 to 26 ensuring national representation and reach. Additionally, a new programme to captivate innovation will be implemented through the National Skills Competition featuring hackathons and skills labs in collaboration with Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Community Education and Training Colleges (CET). This initiative aims to fuel innovation and inspire a new generation of digital problem-solvers.

The journey from vision to action has been one of determination, collaboration, and innovation. With its bold strategies, dynamic leadership, and future-ready programmes, MICT SETA’s 4IR Division has not only contributed to national goals of economic development and job creation; but also positioned South Africa to compete on a global stage.
As Ms. Sema eloquently puts it, “We are not just preparing South Africans for the jobs of the future, we’re shaping a future where South Africans lead.”