WeThinkCode_ and South Cape TVET College partner to expand software engineering training

Partnership brings software engineering education to 30 students in Riversdale, with plans to scale the model across rural South Africa through public-private collaboration

From left: DG Murray Trust’s Bridget Hannah, Hessequa Municipality councillor Gerald Boezak, South Cape TVET College's Dr Tertia Terblanche, DHET’s David Modiba, WeThinkCode’s Nyari Samushongo, Hessequa Municipality ICT manager JM Kleinhans, and DG Murray Trust’s Smangaliso Mbili.

WeThinkCode_, a software engineering training organization that provides tuition-free education to young people across South Africa, has partnered with South Cape TVET College, a technical and vocational education and training institution serving the Western Cape region, to support a cohort of 30 students at the Hessequa Campus in Riversdale. This initiative, backed by the DG Murray Trust and the Caterpillar Foundation, is part of WeThinkCode_’s broader strategy to replicate its training model across South Africa.

The partnership focuses on bringing software engineering education to rural communities where technical education opportunities are limited. Students in the Riversdale cohort follow the same curriculum as other WeThinkCode_ participants, working toward an NQF Level 6 Occupational Certificate in Software Engineering. The 18-month program covers software development fundamentals and specialized electives including mobile development, cloud computing, automation quality assurance, data engineering, distributed systems, and blockchain.

"WeThinkCode_ has been committed to making software engineering education accessible, and partnering with South Cape TVET College allows us to refine how we support students in rural settings," says Ruvimbo Gwatirisa, Director of Public Partnerships at WeThinkCode_. "This is a scalable blueprint for reaching youth in regions where tech education opportunities are scarce."

WeThinkCode_ collaborated with South Cape TVET College to provide on-campus accommodation for the cohort, addressing accessibility challenges for students from remote areas. The organizations are engaging government representatives, funders, and industry leaders to secure funding and establish partnerships for regional expansion.

The initiative offers a public-private model that aligns with national digital skills priorities. Industry partners gain access to tech talent from rural areas, supporting hiring pipelines and transformation objectives. For funders, the program presents an investment opportunity with outcomes in economic participation, education, and rural development.

"Our goal is to build a national network of tech talent that reaches beyond urban centers," says Gwatirisa. "By refining our approach at South Cape TVET College, we're laying the groundwork for future collaborations that will bring software engineering training to more communities across South Africa."

David Modiba, Deputy Director, DHET TVET Curriculum Development, noted that the collaboration aligns South Cape TVET College's curriculum with industry demands: "By integrating software engineering training into our academic offerings, we're equipping students with skills needed to secure employment. This partnership opens doors for youth to access career opportunities, ensuring that talent is nurtured and placed into roles that drive South Africa's digital future."

The partnership aligns with the Department of Higher Education and Training's mandate to expand ICT training opportunities within the TVET sector. South Cape TVET College is working with partners including WeThinkCode_ to equip youth with digital skills and connect them to employment opportunities.