Nedbank Zim bankrolls Emganwini innovation hub

NEDBANK Zimbabwe has joined hands with a local technology partner organisation –“Uncommon.org” to launch the first innovation hub in Emganwini suburb in Bulawayo.

The facility is housed at Zara’s Centre, a community-based non-governmental organisation focused on critical food, health and education projects for some of Emganwini’s most underprivileged youths.

Nedbank managing director, Dr Sibongile Moyo, confirmed the collaboration, which is part of the financial institution’s corporate social responsibility interventions.

“When we first learned about Uncommon.org, we knew this was a mission we had to support,” she said.

“Not only are we happy to invest in technology education and workforce development, we’re eager to begin placing graduates from our hub.”

While the exact details of the partnership have been kept under wraps, Uncommon.org has said that securing Nedbank’s sponsorship is a major milestone ‘in our non-profit’s path to sustainability.’

It noted that a similar facility has been set up in Harare and that expanding into Bulawayo was a key part of the organisation’s strategic plans.

“Proving that we can operate effectively across cities is a crucial milestone to achieve for our young EdTech start-up,” it said in a brief shared with The Chronicle.

“We’re grateful to Nedbank Zimbabwe for believing in our mission and paving the way for our growth throughout Zimbabwe and the region.”

In addition to designing, building and marketing websites for its clients, Uncommon.org also provides physical and digital branding opportunities innovation hubs and corporate partners looking to invest in access to technology education and workforce development.

“Not only does Nedbank Zimbabwe now have a beautiful space that directly associates their brand with education and positive, community level investment, we will also be branding all of the learning materials and certificates that leave the hub and enter local households,” said the organisation.

“On average, 1,000 students from the schools near our Innovation Hub will go through our after-school coding program each year.

“That means roughly 1,000 households (est. 5,000+ family members) with certificates on the wall indicating that their child’s computer coding education was paid for by Nedbank Zimbabwe.”

Uncommon.org has said its mission is to help unemployed young adults from low income communities launch their careers in the technology industry.

“We make long-term investments in our target communities by building innovative, sustainable workspaces to run our free education programs,” said the organisation.-The Chronicle