Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a business of Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader, is celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Innovation and Digital Skills Centre (IDSC) in Mthatha.
To date, 515 learners have completed programmes at the IDSC, achieving a 96% pass rate, and 149 have secured employment directly as a result of their training.
“The IDSC is a powerful example of what public-private partnerships can achieve. When the right partners come together, i.e. industry players, government, and community institutions, the impact goes beyond skills training. The result is the creation of real economic pathways for young people and laying the foundations for sustainable digital growth in communities that need it most,” said Ziaad Suleman, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Cassava Technologies, South Africa and Botswana.
Launched to provide free digital skills training to unemployed youth and community members, the IDSC helps address critical skills gaps while supporting economic participation in the province.
Key to its success has been partnerships with Microsoft and Cisco Networking Academy, which enable learners to access internationally recognised certifications and develop practical skills in areas such as IT, networking, cyber security, data analytics, and cloud technologies.
Through the Liquid 21CSkills platform, learners have access to more than 200 accredited digital courses aligned to current industry needs.
Through initiatives such as the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme and the Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme, the centre also prepares participants for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities. These programmes combine technical training, business mentorship, and access to support networks, thereby helping young innovators build and grow digital enterprises.
The Mthatha IDSC is one part of a much bigger picture, from the STEM labs in the North West Province to entrepreneurship programmes that produce start-ups already creating jobs and competing on the global stage.
For Liquid, this is what building a digitally connected future looks like in practice. It’s not just about the infrastructure, but people, skilled, empowered, and ready to shape it. Every programme, every certification, every start-up that launches is a step toward reiterating our mission of a digitally connected South Africa where no one is left behind.
