To address the urgent need for skills development within the Kensington and Factreton areas, local non-profit organisation Mothers of Nations SA (MonSA) recently launched a computer coding programme.
MonSA is a Kensington-based organisation aimed at empowering mothers and women by equipping them through skills development programmes.
The pilot project is a first for the area and is targeted at unemployed residents and small business owners at no cost.
READ: A group of mothers from Kensington, Cape Town are on a mission to empower pregnant women
Partnership project
Avril Chetty, public liaison officer for MonSA, explained that the project, which started late last month, is a partnership between MonSA, software development company Temo Digital and Shawco.
Chetty explained that the coding course consists of low code teachings on how to create and develop responsive Apps and websites.
The aim is to help participants learn how to create, design, and deploy using web-based software as well as how to turn their ideas into products using web-based software.
Chetty said: “MonSA initiated this project as we are committed to maternal health and the development of women. Working with our community and other organisations, we saw the need.
“There is a need for social and economic development.”
“We realised that there are resources available to the community which they do not know of or have access to.”
Classes take place at the Shawco Computer hub on Mondays and Thursdays. The first group of applicants is currently completing a seven-week course and will receive their certificate later this month.
“This is quite beneficial as this course will teach you how to design company websites, which you can apply at your future employment, as well as being able to start your own small business.”
According to Chetty, they aim to help people become self-sustainable.
“They can use their skills to start businesses and generate funds, which will change the narrative within their household for all genders. In return, it will add value to the children’s lives, their maternal health, as well as the economic development and empowerment of the family.”
She added that the response from the community has been “enormous”.
“As our applicants started enjoying the Computer Coding course, news started spreading fast and sparked huge interest among residents. I already have a long list of applicants for our next group.”
Beneficial
Aphelele Mapuko is one of the participants completing the course.
She explained that the course was beneficial to her.
“It has been amazing so far. When I started I didn’t have a clue what was going on. But I have learned so much, I can now implement this in my daily life. I now know how to produce an App. I had no idea this was possible.”
Wesley Madden explained that he is involved with an organisation that offers children swimming lessons. He will now be able to create a website for them.
“This course has been beneficial for me. I find it interesting learning about how computer systems work. This will definitely help me in the future as I can become my own boss. I now know how to create a website.”
Chetty explained that they hope to expand this project.
“Mothers of Nations SA is excited to carry this baton and feels this will solidify our standing in our community and will enable us to do so much more in the future.
“MonSA also has other skills development courses planned that will benefit our residents and add value to our community, but will divulge more details after it has been finalised.”
