Opening doors to opportunity in Olievenhoutbosch

In Olievenhoutbosch, a township in the city of Tshwane facing high unemployment and limited opportunities for many young people, local organisations and community members are working together to create pathways to a brighter future. Afrika Tikkun, Mecer Inter-Ed, and the Olieven Development Association are delivering a series of initiatives supported by Microsoft South Africa to help residents access skills development, employment opportunities, and new possibilities for their future.

Building skills and creating pathways to employment

For the first initiative, launched in July 2024, Afrika Tikkun, Mecer Inter-Ed, and the Olieven Development Association focused on equipping young people with the skills and experience needed to improve their employability. The programme provided accredited skills training to over 500 youth. A further 27 youth were trained in Microsoft Azure learning journeys and placed into 12-month internship opportunities.

The programme combined industry-recognised training with workplace exposure, enabling participants to build practical experience alongside technical knowledge. As a Microsoft-accredited training provider, Mecer Inter-Ed delivered industry-relevant training while helping connect participants with workplace placement opportunities.

As part of a wider Gauteng initiative, young people from Olievenhoutbosch participated in facilitated digital skills training. For many, gaining digital competencies represents an important step towards greater employability and participation in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

The Olieven Development Association, a community-based organisation operating since 2009, played a key role in connecting local youth with these opportunities. Through its close relationships within the community, the organisation understands the challenges facing young people and helps bridge the gap between potential and opportunity.

Inspiring the next generation

While skills development helps create opportunities, exposure to role models can help young people envision what those opportunities could look like in practice.

Building on the momentum of the training programme, Afrika Tikkun and Microsoft hosted a career day in October 2024 at the Olieven Development Association. The event brought together young people, community leaders, government representatives, and industry professionals to explore possible career pathways and learn more about opportunities in growing sectors such as datacentre operations.

Microsoft datacentre employees shared their personal career journeys and the skills needed in their roles. Their stories resonated strongly because many had followed unconventional paths, changing industries or career directions before finding their place in the technology sector. For young people in Olievenhoutbosch, the message was clear: where you start does not determine where you finish.

In a community where unemployment can often limit aspirations, hearing directly from professionals with diverse backgrounds helped attendees see new possibilities for their own futures. The event was further strengthened by the participation of representatives from the Department of Labour, the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations, and Afrika Tikkun, who shared information about training opportunities, qualifications, and employment pathways.

Turning waste into opportunity

Beyond skills development and career inspiration, community partnerships also identified an opportunity to address environmental challenges while creating jobs.

In January 2025, a recycling initiative was launched to tackle the issue of litter and waste across the township. Working through the Olieven Development Association, the recycling project was designed to address two pressing community needs simultaneously: environmental improvement and employment creation.

This initiative currently provides work opportunities for up to 10 residents while contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment. Beyond the direct jobs created, the initiative demonstrates how community-led solutions can address social, economic, and environmental needs simultaneously.

Looking ahead

A community survey conducted during the career day showed a positive reception to these initiatives, where the overwhelming majority of respondents reported being extremely happy with Microsoft’s presence and contribution in the area. While the survey results were encouraging, they also reflected something broader than satisfaction alone. They highlighted the importance of investing in relationships, listening to community voices, and supporting initiatives driven by local needs.

Together, these investments in Olievenhoutbosch demonstrate what can happen when local organisations, community members, and stakeholders work together toward a shared goal. From digital skills training and career exposure to environmental programmes that create employment, the work underway in Olievenhoutbosch is helping residents build pathways to opportunity, while strengthening the community’s capacity to shape its own future.

Organisations like the Olieven Development Association, Afrika Tikkun, and Mecer Inter-Ed continue to play a vital role in strengthening opportunities within the community, while Microsoft South Africa’s support has helped to enable and strengthen these efforts.

The result is not simply a series of projects, but a connected approach to community development in Gauteng that empowers people, creates opportunities, and supports lasting local progress.