
Editor's Note
Across the globe, digital acceleration is reshaping the future of economies, education systems, and employment at an unprecedented pace. From the corridors of the World Economic Forum, where AI governance and ethical digital transformation have taken center stage, to continental gatherings focused on youth empowerment and innovation, one message rings clear: the skills revolution can no longer wait. It must be fast. It must be inclusive. And it must be intentional.

At the MICT SETA, we have taken this call to heart.
The first part of the year has seen a convergence of action and alignment across our ecosystem, from boardrooms and policy platforms to classrooms and communities. Our participation in the Huawei ICT Competition and engagements at the IT Leaders Forum 2025 placed us at the core of critical conversations on digital talent pipelines, ESG imperatives, and the urgent need for Africa to position itself not just as a consumer of technology, but as a contributor.

Closer to home, the Cape Winelands Knowledge Sharing Festival served as a vivid reminder of what's possible when community, innovation, and leadership come together. Our Sector Skills Planning division's data-driven insights highlighted the importance of designing future-fit programs that meet real-world demand, while also giving power back to learners and local economies.
We also take great pride in the steady evolution of our internal systems and quality assurance mechanisms. The success of the WSP/ATR 2025/26 submissions, which saw nearly 2,000 companies actively participating, particularly in high-demand ICT subsectors, signals a sector that is responsive, aware, and prepared. Coupled with our ETQA Capacity Building Series, we are steadily raising the bar for excellence, transparency, and collaboration within the Media and ICT training environment.
This month's newsletter is a snapshot of what we, collectively, are capable of achieving. From strategic partnerships that elevate youth voices, like the Forge Academy graduation; to creative sector interventions that turn learners into producers of real commercial content, the evidence is clear: transformation is happening. And it is being driven by a sector deeply committed to relevance, inclusion, and innovation.
As we closed the chapter on the 2020–2025 Board term, we honored a leadership cohort that laid the foundation for an agile, digitally enabled SETA. Their legacy is not just in systems launched or milestones met, but in the vision of a digitally empowered South Africa where no one is left behind.
In a world moving at speed, our role remains deliberate: to equip, enable, and elevate in the realization of our vision of 'Cutting-edge Future Skills'.
The future will not slow down. And neither will we.
Xabiso Matshikiza
Editor-In-Chief