Awali Academy

Digital Skills to the People.

That is the mission we brought to the crowds at the Kwande Festival — from the Masterclass sessions to the Main Stage engagements. The digital era calls on all of us to be prepared, informed, and equipped with the skills required to participate meaningfully in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Digital literacy is not about ticking boxes or keeping up appearances; it is about empowering communities with practical knowledge, sharing opportunities, and ensuring that no one is left behind as the world evolves. When we understand the inner workings of digital tools, platforms, and emerging technologies, we position ourselves to adapt, innovate, and contribute to the future economy.

The future is digital. The future is technological.

Learn. Adapt. Grow.

Our Director at Awali Academy, Mr Simiso Slashfire Sokhela, today took part in the Kwande Festival Day 3 Main Stage Panel, sharing insights on Digital Transformation and the future of technology.

The session covered exciting topics such as AI, emerging tech, future technologies, drone tech, e-gaming, web-based technologies, AR, IT and ICT — highlighting how digital skills continue to open opportunities for young people.

As an internationally recognised website designer, SEO specialist, creative, public speaker and author, Mr Sokhela has over 10 years of experience in the IT and tech industry. He is passionate about guiding and inspiring others to succeed in the digital space.

He does not only drive the vision of Awali Academy, he actively pays it forward by empowering underserved communities with relevant digital skills for the future.

📸 Kwande Festival

There’s a GoFundMe campaign supporting Awali Academy NPC , which is working hard to bring digital skills to youth in South Africa. Many young people in townships and rural areas lack access to technology and training, which limits their future opportunities.

This initiative offers workshops and resources to help them learn essential skills like coding and AI. Consider donating or sharing this post to help expand their reach and impact more lives.

Donate from as little as $5.

See donation link on the comments below👇🏾

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As far back as 2017, our Founder, Mr. Simiso Slashfire Sokhela, was already providing digital skills training to various corporates.
That early commitment ignited his passion for empowering others — using the best tool he knows: digital skills.

At Awali Academy, we believe in this simple truth:
Learn. Grow. Adapt to the digital age. 🚀

While 739m youth and adults lack basic literacy skills world over, only 11% of African tertiary graduates have formal digital training and 12 of the world's 20 countries with the weakest digital skills are in Africa. Thus showing a humongous gap in Digital Literacy in Africa.

Inforgraphic by UNESCO

Congratulations to Simiso Slashfire Sokhela 👏🏾

What if Africa itself is the "saviour" it has been waiting for ?

Forget the headlines and the pity. This is not another book about how Africa is falling behind. It’s about how we’re catching up the Africa way.

When AI meets hustle, when township survival meets global innovation, something powerful happens. In this unapologetic and inspiring manifesto, Simiso Sokhela a township born tech visionary reveals how Africa’s overlooked youth, the infrastructure and raw creativity are not weaknesses they’re our competitive edge.

From shacks powered by car batteries to establishing internet cafés, AI and Digital training programs. Simiso doesn’t just talk theory he executes and through his story, he dares readers to rethink what’s possible for the continent.

In this book, you’ll discover:

Why Africa doesn’t need to catch up it needs to leap ahead.
How local problems, not Silicon Valley trends, can drive real innovation.
How AI can be h*cked, reimagined and used to serve African realities.
Why chasing impact not money is the true African disruption.

This is not a book. It’s a spark. A challenge. A call to reclaim our narrative.

“Whether you’re in Zululand, Soweto, Nigeria, Nairobi, Burkina Faso—this is your book.”

The Future of Jobs and AI in Africa.
A threat, Transformation or Triumph?

By Simiso Slashfire Sokhela
Previous Books Published
Wordography with a pen
Umyalezo - Izindaba Ezimfishane Nezinkondlo

Published by Sanqo Media

It's always exciting and heartwarming to see school children's reaction when they see and experience Technology. Our founding Director, Mr Simiso Sokhela is passionate about igniting the spirit of technology in kids and the endless possibilities that exist.

The youngsters even asked enquired about Robots today and it is evident that young people are very inquisitive and fascinated by this whole digital transformation.

We do impact without any support. Imagine what more we can do with proper support.



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