A young South African network engineer has achieved Huawei’s highest-level ICT certification, strengthening his ability to train and mentor students for careers in networking, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.
Neo Rameetse, Senior Network Administrator at the University of Johannesburg and Huawei ICT Academy instructor, recently achieved the Huawei Certified ICT Expert (HCIE) certification, a milestone that reflects his professional growth and the growing importance of practical digital skills for young South Africans entering the technology sector.
His achievement comes as South Africa marks Youth Month, a period that places renewed focus on the opportunities, skills and support young people need to participate meaningfully in the country’s future economy.
“Young people who want to build careers in the digital economy need more than an interest in technology. They need curiosity, discipline, practical exposure and the willingness to keep learning as technologies evolve,” said Peter Sun, Strategy & Business Development Assistant at Huawei South Africa.
Building a career in ICT has been a journey of curiosity, discipline and continuous learning for Rameetse. His Huawei certification journey began after he joined UJ in 2023. Having previously worked in other network technology systems at the University of the Witwatersrand, he recognised the need to deepen his understanding of Huawei technologies, which form a key part of UJ’s network infrastructure.
He enrolled in Huawei’s HCIP Datacom certification programme, building his technical knowledge before becoming a certified Huawei ICT Academy instructor. As his confidence and experience grew, he set his sights on HCIE, widely recognised as one of the most demanding certifications in the networking industry.
Achieving the certification required more than technical ability. It demanded long hours, discipline and personal sacrifice.
“The biggest challenge during my HCIE preparation was balancing my work responsibilities with studying and lab practice after hours,” said Rameetse. “It took energy, sleep and family time. To overcome this, I worked closely with my family, followed a strict study schedule and made full use of the practical lab opportunities available through the ICT Academy.”
The certification was not only about adding another qualification to his name. It changed the way Rameetse thinks about networks, problem-solving and teaching.
“Before earning the HCIE, engineering was often about solving the immediate problem in front of me,” said Rameetse. “The certification challenged me to think more deeply about network architecture, automation and innovation. As an educator, it changed how I teach. I want students to understand why networks behave the way they do, not simply how to configure them.”
His journey comes at a time when young South Africans are being encouraged to prepare for opportunities in a fast-changing digital economy. As industries become more technology-driven, careers in networking, cybersecurity, cloud and digital infrastructure are becoming increasingly important.
Practical skills and industry-recognised certifications can help young people bridge the gap between academic learning and the demands of the workplace.
“A university qualification remains important, but certifications help demonstrate practical competence,” said Rameetse. “They show employers that students understand the technologies being used in enterprise environments and can apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.”
Through Huawei ICT Academy, students and instructors gain access to industry-aligned curriculum, certification pathways and practical technology training. This kind of exposure helps young people move from theory to practice, giving them a clearer understanding of what ICT careers require in real-world work environments.
Looking ahead, Rameetse hopes to continue advancing his work in network automation, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure while helping develop future generations of African technology professionals. His advice to young people pursuing careers in technology is to remain curious, keep learning and be prepared to put in the work.
“Africa is not just a consumer of global technology anymore. We are one of the fastest-growing frontiers for digital transformation,” said Rameetse. “The opportunities are there for those willing to put in the work, build their skills and continuously challenge themselves to grow.”
