In the face of South Africa’s recent uptick in unemployment rates, StarSat, a prominent satellite television provider, is taking proactive steps to bolster local employment and skills development through innovative initiatives. This includes certifying its workforce in solar installation to enhance service reliability and mitigate the impacts of frequent power outages.
Debbie Wu, CEO of OnDigital Media, the broadcast license holder for StarSat in South Africa, says, “StarSat is dedicated to empowering communities and supporting livelihoods across the country. With a workforce that is 38% female and 92% South African, we are proud to provide jobs for over 3,000 individuals.”
Central to StarSat’s commitment is a comprehensive training programme that equips employees with skills in broadcasting, satellite transmission, content creation and solar installation.
“At StarSat, we believe in nurturing talent from within. Our investment in training extends beyond technical skills to include opportunities for international education,” adds Wu.
These investments in employee development have yielded notable successes. In 2023, an intern from the company’s content department was selected for international courses in China, where they excelled and received a prestigious distinction prize.
“This year, we sent our staff from the installation operational department for training to get certificates or degrees in solar installation. This enhances our service offering, providing customers with electricity to continue watching TV when load shedding hits, thanks to the solar systems we provide,” says Wu.
Additionally, StarSat offers communities the opportunity to train and become satellite installers, helping them set up small businesses and work for themselves. Besides greatly boosting the community’s economic environment, the business model intends to create more job opportunities for young South Africans.
Comprehensive training programmes
StarSat assists NGOs by participating in 18-month training programmes that often lead to full-time roles. Finding talent that needs to complete practical training before getting their full qualification, candidates are integrated into different departments, mostly in the company’s content and technical departments. Upon completion of their qualification, StarSat may offer them full-time employment.
“We send our staff to China for international training courses, leveraging our Chinese investor connections. Experts from China are invited to South Africa to train our staff on technology and content creation,” adds Wu.
The company’s 2021 investment in recording studios facilitated the production of the Zulu-dubbed series Waaris, employing local actors, sound engineers, and dubbing directors. The #InZulu project continues with two shows: Mariana and Scarlett and the world-famous Brothers novellas.
“We are passionate about showcasing local stories and talents. Investing in local content production and dubbing creates job opportunities for local actors and technical staff and ensures that South African culture is represented and celebrated on screen,” explains Wu.
Support for independent dealers includes providing satellite dishes and decoders on consignment, which eliminates financial barriers to entry. Comprehensive training in installation, sales, and customer activation enables dealers to earn significant income and contribute to local economies.
Amid the pressing need for initiatives that create sustainable employment opportunities, StarSat proves that corporate responsibility can drive change.
