{"id":17206,"date":"2026-07-17T16:13:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T16:13:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/cisco-launches-40-communities-johannesburg-a-new-chapter-of-community-led-transformation-in-south-africa\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T16:13:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T16:13:40","slug":"cisco-launches-40-communities-johannesburg-a-new-chapter-of-community-led-transformation-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/cisco-launches-40-communities-johannesburg-a-new-chapter-of-community-led-transformation-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Cisco Launches 40 Communities Johannesburg: A New Chapter of Community-Led Transformation in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <p><a href=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/online-workshops-list\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-496\" src=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png\" alt=\"Retail Online Training\" width=\"729\" height=\"91\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png 729w, https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90-300x37.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\" \/><\/a><\/p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>As part of\u00a0my work at Cisco, I often\u00a0emphasize\u00a0the power of proximity\u00a0and how\u00a0true impact\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0delivered from a distance; it happens when we show up, listen, and align our global resources with the heartbeat of local communities.\u00a0This is\u00a0the\u00a0foundation of\u00a0our\u00a040 Communities\u00a0(40C)\u00a0Initiative:\u00a0bringing together four decades of trust,\u00a0expertise, and innovation to engage, support, and invest in 40 communities around the world over 10 years.<\/p>\n<p>Already,\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0seen some early successes in our\u00a0existing\u00a040C\u00a0sites\u00a0in\u00a0Western\u00a0Northern Carolina\u00a0in the US\u00a0and Mumbai, India,\u00a0where\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0working\u00a0to bridge\u00a0local\u00a0challenges\u00a0in partnership with\u00a0community partners. These\u00a0solutions\u00a0include\u00a0creating pathways for employment opportunities,\u00a0introducing learning programs to develop\u00a0AI and cybersecurity\u00a0skills,\u00a0rebuilding\u00a0homes\u00a0in disaster-stricken areas,\u00a0and\u00a0tackling water\u00a0and waste management issues.\u00a0We have work to do, but\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0proud of the progress\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0making\u00a0to address critical issues for these communities.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>New 40C Site:\u00a0Johannesburg\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_494907\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-494907\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy lazy-hidden wp-image-494907\" data-lazy-type=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/gcs\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2026\/07\/DSC7461-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Four professionals standing in front of a Cisco Networking Academy banner celebrating 600,000 students reached in South Africa.\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-494907\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/gcs\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2026\/07\/DSC7461-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Four professionals standing in front of a Cisco Networking Academy banner celebrating 600,000 students reached in South Africa.\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-494907\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Celebrating Cisco Networking Academy\u2019s 600,000 learner milestone in South Africa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As we continue to\u00a0expand and\u00a0drive impact through our 40C\u00a0Initiative, I\u00a0am\u00a0excited\u00a0to\u00a0share\u00a0that our\u00a0next site\u00a0is\u00a0Johannesburg, our first in Africa.\u00a0Cisco\u2019s history in South Africa spans three decades, rooted in the belief that technology is the great equalizer.\u00a0Through programs like\u00a0Country Digital Acceleration\u00a0(CDA) and\u00a0The\u00a0Networking Academy\u00a0we\u2019ve\u00a0been able to complete 24 projects to digitally transform South Africa and educate over 600,000 learners in digital skills.<\/p>\n<p>To reach these heights, I am\u00a0truly grateful\u00a0that our work in South Africa\u00a0wasn\u2019t\u00a0done in isolation. It was made possible through meaningful partnerships with government entities such as the Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa; the State Information Technology Agency; and the National Library of South Africa, among others.\u00a0\u00a0Many of the relationships were introduced and built through our work with community organizations \u2013 and the\u00a0reason why\u00a0our local community partnerships are critical. They help us get connected to local leaders,\u00a0government\u00a0and NGOs, and help us build an ecosystem of resources to tap into to meet our social impact and business goals.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><b>A New Collaboration: Masibambisane with Jozi my Jozi<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>At the center of this work is Masibambisane (pronounced \u201cmah-see-bahm-bee-SAH-neh\u201d meaning, \u201clet us work together\u201d), a multi-year collaboration with Jozi My Jozi, a citywide coalition of more than 140 organizations spanning government, business, civil society, academia, and local communities. Cisco will become Jozi My Jozi\u2019s first U.S.-based strategic partner, and Jozi My Jozi will serve as Cisco\u2019s anchor institution for 40C Johannesburg. Together, we aim to co-create and co-execute on local revitalization opportunities and initiatives that build overall capacity within the community, yield measurable outcomes, and ensure long-term sustained impact across four priority workstreams:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Digital education and skilling<\/li>\n<li>Connected safety<\/li>\n<li>Smart mobility and transit<\/li>\n<li>Responsible giving,\u00a0volunteer engagement, and\u00a0community activation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_494908\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-494908\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazy lazy-hidden wp-image-494908\" data-lazy-type=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/gcs\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2026\/07\/Lindamahle.jpg\" alt=\"A group of graduates in academic regalia posing with their certificates at a Cisco Networking Academy ceremony, with faculty members standing behind them.\" width=\"500\" height=\"300\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-494908\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.cisco.com\/gcs\/ciscoblogs\/1\/2026\/07\/Lindamahle.jpg\" alt=\"A group of graduates in academic regalia posing with their certificates at a Cisco Networking Academy ceremony, with faculty members standing behind them.\" width=\"500\" height=\"300\"\/><\/noscript><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-494908\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cisco and Lindamahle at a community event in South Africa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>To bring these workstreams to life, we\u2019ll combine Jozi My Jozi\u2019s deep local relationships, coalition leadership, and ecosystem coordination with Cisco\u2019s technology expertise, solution architectures, and global resources. Together, we\u2019ll identify opportunities across Cisco\u2019s portfolio, including Cisco Networking Academy, Country Digital Acceleration (CDA), and other innovation initiatives, to strengthen community outcomes and accelerate long-term revitalization.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis partnership is about much more than technology. It is about bringing together the energy of our people, the commitment of our partners and Cisco\u2019s global capability to help restore hope, dignity and pride in Johannesburg. Jozi My Jozi is a super-connector for this city, and Cisco is a global connector. Through Masibambisane, we have an opportunity to show what becomes possible when local action is strengthened by global perspective and practical support.\u201d \u2014 Innocent Mabusela, CEO, Jozi My Jozi<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Our\u00a0Ongoing\u00a0Commitment to Social Impact\u00a0in\u00a0South Africa\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Our work in South Africa\u00a0doesn\u2019t\u00a0stop with the\u00a0Masibambisane\u00a0coalition.\u00a0We\u2019ll\u00a0be\u00a0investing\u00a0in\u00a0our\u00a0ongoing\u00a0local\u00a0partnerships\u00a0to empower the next generation\u00a0as\u00a0part\u00a0of\u00a0our larger 40C initiative. This includes introducing a new collaboration with the\u00a0Raspberry Pi Foundation\u00a0and\u00a0EduNova\u00a0to increase AI literacy for educators and students across Gauteng.\u00a0We\u2019ll\u00a0also\u00a0be looking to expand our\u00a0work\u00a0with\u00a0Camp Sizanani\u00a0to\u00a0equip underserved youth with the financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills needed to thrive in an AI-powered economy.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond 40C,\u00a0we\u2019ll\u00a0continue\u00a0making\u00a0impact through\u00a0the\u00a0Cisco Foundation\u00a0and our broader Social Impact investments\u00a0in South Africa\u00a0as well.\u00a0Whether empowering women in off-grid communities through our Networking Academy partnership with the\u00a0Lindamahle Innovation Centre, or investing in STEM scholarships via\u00a0StudyTrust, we are committed to closing the digital divide.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThrough our collaboration with Cisco Networking Academy\u00a0and in support of government\u2019s vision to connect communities, we have equipped students with the digital skills they need to unlock economic opportunities and build a more connected future for the Eastern Cape\u201d\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Zine Nkukwana, CEO of\u00a0Lindamahle.<\/p>\n<p>Our story\u00a0on\u00a0social impact also\u00a0wouldn\u2019t\u00a0be complete without\u00a0our\u00a0people, Cisco employees,\u00a0doing their part as\u00a0engines\u00a0of this impact. In South Africa, our teams have dedicated thousands of hours to mentorship and\u00a0volunteership\u00a0through our\u00a0Time2Give\u00a0program,\u00a0helping students transition from the classroom to the workplace and ensuring our technology serves the people who need it most.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>A Shared Vision for the Future<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>There\u2019s\u00a0no doubt that the\u00a0work ahead is\u00a0substantial. However,\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0confident that through\u00a0our history\u00a0of engagement in South Africa, a network of more than 140 partners, and a shared commitment to the city\u2019s long-term revitalization, we can\u00a0build a more\u00a0connected,\u00a0resilient\u00a0and thriving community starting with Johannesburg.<\/p>\n<p>What\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0most excited about\u00a0is\u00a0this\u00a0marks the start of a\u00a0new\u00a0effort\u00a0to revitalize the region\u00a0and\u00a0deepens\u00a0our\u00a0longstanding\u00a0partnerships there.<\/p>\n<p>By embracing the spirit of Masibambisane (\u201clet us work together\u201d) we can demonstrate what happens when global innovation meets deep-rooted local insight. We are honored to walk this path alongside our partners and look forward to collaborating on a model of community-led resilience and sustainable growth across the region for generations to come.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/online-workshops-list\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-496\" src=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png\" alt=\"Retail Online Training\" width=\"729\" height=\"91\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90.png 729w, https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/RETAIL-ONLINE-TRAINING-728-X-90-300x37.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\" \/><\/a><\/p><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As part of\u00a0my work at Cisco, I often\u00a0emphasize\u00a0the power of proximity\u00a0and how\u00a0true impact\u00a0isn\u2019t\u00a0delivered from a distance; it happens when we show up, listen, and align [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17207,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17206","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17206"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17206\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmsretail.com\/RetailNews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}