Ground breaking AI and entrepreneurship course for the townships

We are proud to have supported this initiative:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GROUNDBREAKING TOWNSHIP AI & ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME COMPLETES FIRST COHORT

Langa, Cape Town – South Africa - July 2026

A groundbreaking new chapter in South African education has begun as the first cohort of learners officially completes Township Futures - AI & Entrepreneurship, the first-of-its-kind Artificial Intelligence entrepreneurship programme designed specifically for a South African township.

Launched at the Bridges Academy in Langa, Cape Town, the Services SETA aligned programme marks a significant milestone in the democratisation of technology, entrepreneurship and future-focused education. While much of the global conversation around Artificial Intelligence has been concentrated in boardrooms, universities and technology hubs, Township Futures is bringing these same tools directly into one of South Africa’s most entrepreneurial and resilient communities.

The initiative has been developed to ensure that township communities are not left behind as AI reshapes economies, industries and workplaces around the world. For the first time, a young entrepreneur with a smartphone and internet connection can access tools that help with research, business planning, marketing, branding, content creation, customer engagement and problem-solving, capabilities that were previously only available to businesses with significant resources.

The programme is being delivered through a collaborative partnership between Bridges Academy, Training Force, Women in AI South Africa, Google Hustle Academy and the Conscious Machine Collective.

Bridges Academy has built an international reputation for forward-thinking, disruptive education through its pioneering work in creative learning, delivering music, entrepreneurship, digital skills and mindfulness programmes to underserved youth at its campus in Langa township, Cape Town.

“Much of the conversation around AI is focused on hype, automation, optimisation and the enormous commercial value it can unlock but I believe its greatest potential lies in democratising access to knowledge,” says Trenton Birch,  COO / Founding Member of Bridges For Music who run the Bridges Academy.   “For a developing continent like Africa, AI offers an incredible opportunity to empower people, accelerate entrepreneurial thinking and open access to tools that were previously out of reach. If implemented responsibly, it has the potential to seismically shift the future of our continent.”

Training Force, one of Africa's leading skills development and training organisations with a national footprint across South Africa, brings nationally recognised accreditation, assessment and learner certification to the programme. Through their delivery of Services SETA aligned Entrepreneurship Unit Standards, Training Force ensures participants receive recognised credentials while adding further credibility, quality assurance and recognised learner outcomes to the initiative.

The three-week pilot programme combines Artificial Intelligence, entrepreneurship, digital business development, mindset training and future-readiness. Participants learn how to use AI tools to generate business ideas, validate opportunities, build brands, create marketing content and develop sustainable income generating ventures.  The 18 graduates developed a range of community-focused business ideas, including water-security solutions, township delivery services and internet cafés offering subsidised digital access. 

The pilot programme has been carefully monitored, assessed and analysed to measure learner outcomes, entrepreneurial activity and community impact. The long-term objective is to develop a scalable model that can be rolled out to additional learning centres, communities and township economies across South Africa.

QUOTES

Sipho Mtombeni - Google Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager

“Google believes that access to digital skills and entrepreneurial education is essential for economic growth across Africa. We are proud to support an initiative that helps bring practical AI and business capabilities directly into communities where innovation, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit already exist in abundance.”

Naledi Tlhakudi - Women in AI South Africa

“Inclusion must be at the heart of the AI revolution. Programmes like Township Futures are critical because they ensure that women, young people and historically underserved communities are not left behind as technology continues to transform society. We are excited to be part of this important journey.”

Daniel Orelowitz  - Managing Director - Training Force 

“AI skills on their own are powerful, but when combined with entrepreneurship training, they become a pathway to real economic participation. By aligning the programme to recognised SETA standards, we are giving learners more than exposure to future-facing technology, we are giving them credible, structured skills that carry weight in the market and can support employment, self-employment and enterprise development.”

ABOUT THE PARTNERS

Bridges Academy is a Bridges for Music initiative and is an internationally recognised non-profit organisation dedicated to creating opportunities through education, creativity, entrepreneurship and personal development. Through its academy in Langa, Cape Town, the organisation provides pathways for young people to build meaningful and sustainable futures.

Training Force is one of South Africa’s leading accredited training providers and delivers the SETA-aligned entrepreneurship component of the programme, ensuring formal accreditation, assessment and learner recognition.

Women in AI South Africa is part of the global Women in AI movement and works to ensure greater inclusion, diversity, leadership and participation in the rapidly growing AI economy.

Google Hustle Academy supports African entrepreneurs through practical business education, digital skills development and growth-focused learning programmes designed for emerging markets.

Conscious Machine Collective is an African-led think tank and movement exploring the intersection of humanity, technology, consciousness and developing economies, with a focus on ensuring emerging technologies create positive outcomes for people and communities.

Services SETA unit standards delivered:

• Unit Standard 119673 - Demonstrate an understanding of entrepreneurship and develop entrepreneurial qualities (7 Credits)

• Unit Standard 119670 - Identify and select a business opportunity (3 Credits)

• Unit Standard 119669 - Develop a business plan for a small business (8 Credits)

For media enquiries, partnership opportunities or further information, please contact:

Training Force 

Sabelo.Xulu@trainingforce.co.za 

+27 (0)61 668 5070