The City of Tshwane has celebrated the graduation of 60 informal traders from the Cell Phone Repair Programme of the South African Mobile Devices Distributors and Repairers Association (SAMDDRA). Each graduate received a certificate after completing training that seeks to turn technical knowledge into income and entrepreneurship opportunities.
These informal traders and technicians are now qualified to professionally repair mobile cellular devices at stalls, kiosks and small workshops across the city.
The three-month training programme was provided to residents of Mamelodi, Eersterust, Atteridgeville and surrounding areas. The programme was aimed at people with some technical experience in mobile device repairs who lacked formal qualifications in cell phone repairs.
Graduates have now received technical certificates endorsed by the Media, Information and Communication Technologies (MICT) SETA and the industry.
Ald Sarah Mabotsa, MMC for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, said: "Skills like these do not just change individual lives - they grow Tshwane. When we empower informal traders with practical, in-demand skills, we strengthen the city's economic fabric and give more residents a fair chance to participate in the local economy.
"Cell phone repair is especially valuable for the informal trading sector. It requires relatively low start-up costs, can be delivered from a stall or small workshop, and meets a constant community need. By formalising these skills, the City and SAMDDRA are helping traders to build credibility, access markets and strengthen household livelihoods. The City of Tshwane is committed to supporting informal enterprises through skills development, trader formalisation and targeted economic programmes that create real opportunities for our residents," added Ald Mabotsa.