The Gauteng Department of e-Government has formed a partnership to provide a digital learning platform, Mzansi Digital Learning, on which Gauteng residents can access free courses.

The Gauteng department partnered with youth development organisation Afrika Tikkun, IT company Microsoft South Africa, mobile network company Vodacom and Johannesburg-based Maponya Mall for this initiative that provides free access to industry-recognised digital skills training and certification.

This programme is designed to equip individuals with essential skills for the evolving digital economy, opening new pathways for employment and career advancement.

Mzansi Digital Learning focuses on technology and digital literacy, and offers more than 30 free online courses covering key areas, such as cybersecurity, generative AI, data analytics, business analysis and sustainability in technology.

The programme ensures data-free access to learning content, thereby making it widely accessible to South Africans who are eager to upskill in the technology industry, the provincial department says.

Further, an AI Skills Navigator has been introduced to help users navigate the platform effectively.

This AI-powered tool assesses users’ current skills and guides them to relevant courses based on their chosen industry or sector. The AI Skills Navigator takes users through a survey, asking about their industry of interest or employment status.

Users self-assess their digital competencies on a scale from one, or not competent, to five, or highly competent. The tool then generates a personalised report and recommends suitable courses to enhance their skills.

Users can access free online courses, and the learning is flexible, self-paced and accessible via smartphone, tablet or laptop. The courses are available from January to December 2025, with a digital certificate awarded upon successful completion.

The training is industry-aligned in high-demand fields, including system administration, business analysis, project management, software development, cybersecurity, digital literacy and generative AI, the department says.

User are also encouraged to prioritise career essentials in generative AI, which is recommended as the first course to help learners gain foundational AI knowledge.

The programme is open to individuals aged 14 and up, who are proficient in English and eager to develop their digital skills.

Participants need stable Internet access, a smart device or laptop, an email address and a LinkedIn profile to enrol in online courses.

Interested individuals can register by visiting www.mzansidigitallearning.co.za.