Livity Africa recently launched an exciting new programme called Digify Bytes, a two day workshop aimed at introducing young people to the world of digital marketing.

The programme aims to provide students with the opportunity to get acquainted with the essentials of the digital industry while still providing them with valuable hands-on experience.

The Digify Bytes will offer a shorter version of the Digify programme, currently offered at Livity Africa, where young people get three months of digital marketing training. What Digify Bytes offers is an intensive two day session and the best part is that the people training you are experienced Digify Alumni who are now working in the industry.

The event kicked off with a panel discussion on youth and the digital economy. The panel, facilitated by Livity Africa boss Gavin Weale, was made up of Luke McKend, the country manage of Google SA, Traci Freeman from the Rockefeller Foundation, Zama ka Ndlovu who is the co-founder of Youthlab, and the chief executive of the British Council, Sir Ciarán Devane.

The spirited conversation lead into countless other debates that involve young people such as youth unemployment and entrepreneurship. Zama said she felt like, when it comes to solving youth unemployment anything that provides young people with an advantage is exciting to her.

While Sir Ciaran added that he liked the idea of a digital classroom, adding that we needed a “byte sized education” system to plug in some of the gaps in our education system.

There were also calls on young people to realise that being digital is a core skill one needs in the 21st century. Zama highlighted that the services sector is growing and that digital skills are fundamental in this sector.

Traci said young people need to start looking to entrepreneurship for empowerment. “If you realise a problem or a shortage of skills, solve it.”

After the discussion, we were treated to a masterclass on Google Analytics by La Donna Gumede and Lindelani Legabe, alumni of the Digify programme. Google Analytics basically allows you to tell if you’re reaching your target audience.

The overall experience of the day was one of new opportunities, networking and the creation of a sustainable digital marketing environment.

Want to be a part of it? Sign up your organisation to host Digify Bytes workshops by contacting Gugu Kheswa on gugu@livity.co.uk or Polly Sekwale on polly@livity.co.uk. You can also call the Livity Africa offices on 011 028 7848.

photography by Lwazi Mazibuko