Skip to main content

About DYA

Rooted in South Africa. Built on Ubuntu

Empowering change. Delivering impact.

Young people taking part in a DigiYouth Africa programme

When youth succeed, communities thrive

Young people need more than qualifications; they need the confidence to solve problems, the skills to create opportunity and the leadership to drive meaningful change.

DigiYouth Africa delivers practical, future-focused learning that equips learners, young adults and entrepreneurs to succeed in and help shape the economy of tomorrow.

What we stand for

Vision

Dignity

A world where all people live with dignity and prosperity while creating a positive future for themselves and each other.

Mission

Empowerment

Innovative employment opportunities for unemployed youth, by creating an inclusive economy through access to technology and related skills.

Values

Community

HonestyIntegrityRespectCommitmentGrowthTrustEquality

The founders

Ayesha Bayat

Ayesha Bayat

Co-Founder, CA(SA)

Chartered accountant leading DYA's curriculum and its school and community partnerships.

Read full bio

Ayesha Bayat is a chartered accountant, CA(SA), with a background in training and development, entrepreneurship, generative AI and innovation. As co-founder of DigiYouth Africa, she leads curriculum development and builds partnerships with schools and communities across South Africa. She brings a finance professional's rigour to education, designing programmes that teach digital, financial and entrepreneurial skills young people can use straight away. Ayesha is a committed advocate for women, for social inclusion and for young people as active participants in the economy.

Shameera Akbar

Shameera Akbar

Co-Founder

Technology entrepreneur focused on building capacity and closing the talent gap.

Read full bio

Shameera Akbar is the founder and CEO of Iconiq Technologies, where she turns technical solutions into practical business results. She co-founded Mesh-Ed Training and Development Solutions to tackle South Africa's skills gap, serves as business lead for Women in AI South Africa and is Marketing Director at Basikwa Diamonds. Across every role her focus is the same: building capacity and closing the gap between available talent and market demand, with a strong commitment to growth in KwaZulu-Natal.