Quthing, May 29 — At least twenty-five (25) young people from Quthing, Mohale’s Hoek and Qacha’s Nek sat for a five-day Information and Communication Technology (ICT) final examination at the SOS Quthing Digital Community Hub until Friday this week.
The group, for first intake of a six‑month free training programme in basic computer skills, will be awarded certificates accredited by a registered computer school upon passing.
SOS Quthing Acting Programme Location Manager, Ms. Ts’ooana Letela, said the training equips youth with basic computer skills that include practical and theory on Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, design, and online business.
She emphasized that these skills are vital in bridging the district’s digital gap, noting that Quthing does not even have an internet café.
Ms. Letela urged youth to take advantage of the opportunity, lamenting that enrolment dropped from over 70 since last year when the programme started to less than 30 candidates now sitting for exams.
She recalled similar entrepreneurship projects which provided among other skills in building, sewing, catering and carpentry in 2018 to 2021 that failed in Quthing but thrived in Leribe due to stronger youth participation while those from the district dropped.
She further said that registration for the second basic computer training intake is scheduled to kick off form Monday next week and called to Quthing youth to register.
ICT instructor Miss ‘Makokosi Ramathe highlighted that the sponsor covers accreditation costs, stressing the importance of commitment and success to sustain opportunities for others.
Candidates expressed optimism. Miss Tlholohelo Andreas said she hopes to use her skills to secure employment and eventually open an internet café, though funding remains a challenge.
Mr. Keketso Mokhele, who struggled academically, said the hub has given him a new path to start a business, find work, or pursue further IT studies.
The programme, launched last year, aims to provide essential digital skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
The programme is funded by Foschini Group, partners with SOS Children’s Villages across Southern Africa to fund community-based family strengthening, youth empowerment, and educational projects.
Similar hubs operate at SOS Children’s Villages in Maseru and Leribe.
