A 23-year-old man from Kanana township outside Orkney in the North West was inspired to help South Africa catch up with international standards in terms of technology after traveling to South Korea to compete in a competition that sought out the finest IT techniques in the world. Didimalo Gift Sereo represented South Africa at the World Skills International Competition in October last year where he took part in the IT network systems and administration category. It is always laudable to see a young man coming from a township plagued with gangsterism and crime, like , so determined to direct initiatives that introduce youth in his area to IT and establish a facility where young children can learn and practice the field firsthand. “It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from since everything is possible. It’s as simple as putting forth the effort and not taking things for granted. When I returned from Korea, I got right back to work on my skills because, as the saying goes, “success is not owned, it’s rented, and its rent is due every day.”
Sereo, a Vuselela TVET college IT graduate, said, even though he did not win anything in South Korea, he realized that South Africa lagged behind in many areas pertaining to skills and technology. “For a country to achieve a successful transition into the fourth industrial revolution, young people must get skills transferred as early as possible, and I came back with the knowledge that I want to use to help advance my country,” he said. He said South Africa’s unified approach to teaching IT was outdated and that the country should adopt the methods used in Asian countries instead. “IT continues to expand in South Africa, where there is just one curriculum; we [South Africa] should look at what Asian nations are doing and modify our curriculum to that,” he added.
He said in Korea, they ensure that young children acquire skills that will be useful in the workplace and that South Africa should ensure that pupils are not overexposed to topics that would not help them when they graduate. “Students in Korea are already working in large IT firms, and they have been doing this from a young age; thus, if we begin building up our learners at a young age, we will progress as a country.” Asked if he has any hobbies outside computers, Sereo, said he does not have much of a social life since he is usually in his room with his computer. “I do have a small circle of friends, but given my upbringing, I don’t take anything for granted and give everything I do my best.”
