#SobasicallyZA, eleven years ago, in 2015, my career trajectory shifted permanently. It was the year I stepped into the Digify Africa boot camp. At the time, I didn't fully realize that I wasn't just learning a set of tools, I was entering a community that would define my professional #identitytrip for over a decade.
Looking back at the enduring mission of Digify Africa, it is clear that the commitment to providing digital skills for Africa’s youth has been a cornerstone of this industry's growth.
That initial spark in 2015 provided the blueprint for everything that followed. Today, my workflow looks vastly different than it did back then. In my recent roles, I've leveraged different tools to synthesize audience data and produce content that resonates in a competitive market. Digital marketing is no longer just about posting content, it is about content curation, data-driven strategy, and constant adaptation.
The digital landscape in South Africa has evolved from a nascent space into a powerhouse of innovation. We are witnessing this maturation in real-time, underscored by massive investments in technology and infrastructure.
1st July 2026, many witnessed President Cyril Ramaphosa underscore this transformation at the #GoogleCloudSummit in Johannesburg, a moment that will be a talking point for weeks to come. The summit highlighted not just the technical side of the cloud, but the human capital required to sustain this progress.
The investment in "comprehensive AI skilling frameworks and digital literacy programmes" is essential. The goal, as stated by the President, is clear: to ensure that South Africans are not merely passive consumers of technology, but active creators and innovators.
Now on a more personal note, my journey from that 2015 boot camp to the current discourse on Artificial Intelligence feels like coming full circle. Whether we are discussing the Odin Education partnership at the Nelson Mandela University Ocean Sciences Campus or navigating the nuances of the Google Cloud Summit, the common thread is the power of education and digital proficiency.
If you are just starting your journey or perhaps looking at a new cohort or a new digital tool, remember that the skills you acquire today are the foundation for the innovations you will lead tomorrow. The digital revolution is not coming, it is already here, and there is a seat for everyone at the table.