While I was talking to a young person who had recently received her matric results, she expressed uncertainty about her career options.
She said she didn't want to be a DJ or a social media influencer, and that she had no chance of attending a university or technical college. Hailing from Jackson — an informal settlement in Eikenhof, south of Johannesburg — she said she was determined to steer clear of conventional and overrated “new career paths”.
“I won't share explicit photos on Instagram to get attention and sponsorships from major brands,” she said, highlighting the possible dangers associated with such endeavours. “I have numerous friends who have become disenchanted with the quest for social media fame. Some of them have now become critics.”
Despite facing many challenges, Khethokuhle did well in maths. She said she wanted to help her struggling family and secure her future.
Fortunately, Khethokuhle has a computer and reliable internet access. She said her father, a gardener at one of the mobile phone operators, provided her with 10GB of mobile data each month, which she used for both education and entertainment.
After listening to Khethokuhle speak about her determination to get ahead, I suggested that she might want to consider a career in cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity is a crucial element in maintaining a secure and well-ordered digital environment, shielding users from hackers, cybercriminals and fraudulent activities
Why cybersecurity?
The world today is increasingly digital, and that applies to our work, personal lives and finances. Unfortunately, this digital shift exposes internet users to various threats, such as cyberattacks, privacy breaches and fraud. Cybersecurity is a crucial element in maintaining a secure and well-ordered digital environment, shielding users from hackers, cybercriminals and scams.
The 2023 “Global Cyber Skills Gap Report” by Fortinet highlights the world’s cybersecurity skills gap, with 56% of corporates struggling to recruit talent and 54% finding it challenging to retain it. These findings apply also to South Africa.
The report also reveals that companies prefer individuals with technology-focused certifications, indicating a rising demand for cybersecurity professionals.
Sergey Lozhkin, principal security researcher at Kaspersky Global Research & Analysis Team, stresses the urgency of addressing evolving cyber threats by cultivating a new generation of cyber-defenders. “Cybersecurity offers meaningful employment opportunities, providing a pathway for the youth to future-proof their careers while contributing to a safer digital world,” he says.
Though South Africa lacks specific training centres for technology-focused certifications, various online institutions — such as Coursera and Udemy, among others — offer affordable and free courses to help individuals like Khethokuhle kick-start their careers in cybersecurity.
Cisco, a global computer networking giant, has also committed to training millions of people in digital and cybersecurity skills, offering them additional avenues for skills development. We hope they deliver on their promise and empower young African people.
For matriculants like Khethokuhle, acquiring these certifications is feasible.
According to a workforce study by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, there is a global shortage of 3.4-million skilled cybersecurity professionals.
Starting a cybersecurity career without a degree is not only cheaper and quicker, but it also satisfies the escalating demand for these skills in the job market.
Many corporations are likely to employ young people with cybersecurity certificates and groom them for other roles in the fight against cyberattacks.
Instead of opting for traditional degrees that may not necessarily lead to employment, matriculants can use online resources to acquire expertise in cybersecurity and other digital skills — thereby making themselves valuable assets in the fast-changing digital world.
I hope municipalities nationwide seriously consider reopening libraries — especially those in townships — and transforming them into opportunity hubs that offer their users free internet access. This move would greatly benefit matriculants, as it would allow them to access online courses and prepare themselves for successful careers in the digital era.
South Africa cannot afford to allow the ranks of jobless youths in townships and rural areas to grow. It is disheartening to see young unemployed people collecting their R350 social relief of distress grants at the post office. Merely encouraging them to become entrepreneurs or pursue unmarketable degrees does not achieve anything.
As a nation, we should empower our young people meaningfully. By making our libraries dynamic learning spaces with free internet access, South Africa can empower its youth to harness the opportunities of the digital age, thereby breaking the cycle of poverty and limited prospects.
Such an investment would be a step towards a brighter future for South Africa's youth.
• Lourie is the founder and editor of TechFinancials
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