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A total of 184 rural women from Mpumalanga and Limpopo are celebrating a milestone after completing a year-long Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills programme aimed at improving digital literacy and economic participation.
The Women’s Development Business (WDB) Trust Training Academy hosted two graduation ceremonies to recognise the achievements of learners. The first ceremony took place in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, on 9 March 2026, where 90 women graduated, followed by another event in Makhado, Limpopo, on 10 March 2026 for 94 graduates.
Participants included both young and older women, highlighting a strong interest in digital education across generations. Young people accounted for 60% of the learners, while older women made up the remaining 40%.
Riah Phiyega, Chief Executive Officer of WDB Trust, says the program’s goal is to close the digital divide affecting rural communities, where a growing number of vital services require a basic understanding of computers.
“The digital divide continues to entrench inequality in rural areas, where access to services increasingly requires basic digital capability,” said Phiyega. “These graduates have invested a full year in building practical ICT skills that can immediately improve how they engage with financial institutions, government services and the wider economy.”
The training programme includes Computer-Based Functional Literacy (CBFL) and Basic Computer Skills (BCS) modules, both accredited by the MICT SETA. The courses focus on developing foundational knowledge, such as operating computers and confidently navigating digital platforms used in everyday activities.
Phiyega said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to reduce poverty among rural women by providing practical tools needed in an increasingly digital society.
“In an increasingly digital world, both young and mature women need to be equipped with digital skills to access essential services. For young people in particular, these skills can meaningfully improve their chances of accessing employment and work opportunities,” she added.
The WDB Trust Training Academy Programme, established in 2015, aims to build capacity in rural communities and strengthen the impact of poverty alleviation initiatives. Since its launch, the academy has trained more than 10,000 women across South Africa.
One of the graduates, Thulane Lincane, said the programme had a life-changing impact.
“What I learned in ICT training wasn’t what I thought would make me money, but it changed my life and opened doors I never imagined,” she said.
