Celebrating Digital Empowerment: TAP Graduations in Acornhoek and Makhado
In many communities across South Africa, access to digital skills can be the key that unlocks new opportunities. For the latest graduates of the WDB Trust’s Training Academy Programme (TAP), that key is now firmly in their hands. On the 9th and 10th of March 2026, graduates in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga and Makhado, Limpopo celebrated the completion of months of dedicated learning, marking an important step toward greater digital confidence and opportunity.
Across the two sites, a total of 157 graduates were celebrated — 75 in Acornhoek and 82 in Makhado — each representing a powerful story of commitment, growth, and resilience.
The graduation ceremonies were joyful and inspiring occasions, bringing together graduates, community members, and WDB Trust staff to recognise the dedication and determination that each participant showed throughout the programme.
Senior leadership from the WDB Trust were also present to celebrate the graduates’ achievements, including Riah Phiyega, CEO of the WDB Trust, and Fikile Buthelezi, TAP Programme Manager.
Building Skills for a Digital World
Throughout the programme, graduates developed practical digital literacy skills that are increasingly essential in today’s world. The course introduced participants to the Microsoft Office suite, hardware navigation (keyboard and mouse),email and file management, and the effective use of search engines such as Google.
The programme integrates both Basic Computer Skills (BCS) and Computer-Based Functional Literacy (CBFL) training. Through BCS, elderly women in the community are introduced to essential digital tools, helping them build confidence and independence in an increasingly digital world. At the same time, CBFL equips young people with more advanced digital knowledge, enabling them to expand their skills and access broader opportunities.
These tools provide a strong foundation for navigating workplaces, pursuing higher education, and accessing information in an increasingly digital society.
A key feature of the programme was that the training was delivered in the home languages of the participants, Xitsonga and Tshivenda, two of South Africa’s eleven official languages. This approach ensured that participants could engage with the material confidently and fully understand the digital concepts being introduced.
Voices of Confidence and Growth
One of the most memorable moments of the graduation ceremonies came when high-scoring graduates took to the stage to present what they had learned during the course.
Their presentations demonstrated not only their new technical skills but also the confidence they had developed over the months of training. For many, standing in front of an audience and showcasing the digital tools they had mastered was a powerful reflection of how far they had come.
From navigating search engines to sending professional emails, graduates shared how these skills will help them access new opportunities in their communities and beyond.
A Celebration of Achievement
The graduation ceremonies were filled with pride and celebration as certificates were awarded and graduates recognised for their commitment to learning.
Addressing the graduates, Riah Phiyega reflected on the significance of the moment, encouraging participants to see the occasion as only the beginning of their journey. She shared that this graduation should be viewed as the first of many milestones they will achieve, noting that by committing themselves to learning new digital skills, they have taken an important step toward shaping their own futures. “There is a very stubborn pillar in life that we must fight, it is powerful and that pillar is called poverty. We must do certain things to navigate this persistent, powerful pillar and a way to do that is to empower women. When you empower women, you empower the nation and we have done this today.”
Opening Doors to the Future
Digital literacy continues to play a vital role in empowering individuals and strengthening communities. Through programmes such as TAP, the WDB Trust remains committed to ensuring that people have access to the skills they need to participate meaningfully in the economy.
For the graduates of Acornhoek and Makhado, the certificates they received represent more than a qualification, they represent confidence, opportunity, and the beginning of new digital journeys.
As these graduates move forward, they carry with them not only the knowledge they have gained but also the inspiration to continue learning, growing, and sharing their skills within their communities.
