Astute Tech Foundation Learning Hub
Learning Hub

Knowledge built
for your world.

Free, curated resources — courses, guides, and tools — for youth navigating tech careers and NPOs building digital capability. Everything links to the real thing.

Digital Basics Beginner

Google Digital Garage — Fundamentals of Digital Marketing

A free, comprehensive introduction to the digital world — covering everything from getting online to understanding how digital tools can help you find work or grow a business.

Digital Basics Beginner

GCFGlobal — Computer Basics

Covers everything from turning on a computer to understanding the internet, file management, and common software. Perfect starting point for absolute beginners.

Digital Basics Beginner

Microsoft Learn — Digital Literacy Path

Microsoft's own beginner path covering email, Word, Excel, and internet safety — structured learning with quizzes and progress tracking.

Career Readiness Beginner

LinkedIn — How to Build a Profile That Gets You Hired

Step-by-step guide to creating a professional LinkedIn profile — including what to write in your About section, how to list skills, and how to connect with South African employers.

Career Readiness Beginner

JobLaunchSA — Free AI-Powered CV Builder for SA Job Seekers

Build a professional, ATS-ready CV in minutes using JobLaunchSA's free AI CV Builder — designed specifically for South African youth. No design experience needed.

Career Readiness Beginner

JobLaunchSA — Find Tech & Digital Jobs Built for SA Youth

South Africa's free youth job portal — browse tech, IT, and digital roles, set up job alerts, and apply directly. Built for entry-level seekers and learnership applicants.

Career Readiness Intermediate

SETA Learnerships — How to Find and Apply in South Africa

A complete guide to understanding SETA-funded learnerships in IT and digital fields — who qualifies, how to apply, and which SETAs cover tech roles.

Tech Certs Beginner

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

The starting point for anyone pursuing a career in cloud. Covers core Azure concepts, services, and pricing. Free study path on Microsoft Learn — no prior experience needed.

Tech Certs Beginner

Google IT Support Professional Certificate

A 6-course certificate program from Google covering IT fundamentals, networking, OS, system admin, and security. Fully free for qualifying learners via Coursera for Africa.

Tech Certs Intermediate

CompTIA A+ — IT Support Career Foundation

The most widely recognised entry-level IT certification globally. Covers hardware, software, networking, and troubleshooting — ideal for help desk and support roles.

Tech Certs Beginner

Microsoft AI Fundamentals (AI-900)

Understand what AI is, how it works, and how Microsoft Azure AI services are used in real business applications. Free study materials, globally respected credential.

Coding Beginner

freeCodeCamp — Responsive Web Design

Learn HTML and CSS from scratch — and build 5 real projects for your portfolio. Completely free, self-paced, with a recognised certificate on completion.

Coding Beginner

Microsoft Learn — Python for Beginners

A structured, beginner-friendly Python course from Microsoft. Covers variables, loops, functions, and real-world problem-solving — no setup required, run code in browser.

Coding Beginner

The Odin Project — Full Stack Web Development

A completely free, open-source curriculum for learning web development from zero to employable. Highly structured, community-supported, and used by thousands globally.

Entrepreneurship Beginner

Y Combinator Startup School

Free online course from the world's top startup accelerator. Covers ideation, finding customers, building an MVP, and pitching. Practical and direct — no fluff.

Entrepreneurship Beginner

CIPC — How to Register Your Business in South Africa

Step-by-step guide to registering a PTY Ltd, sole proprietor, or NPO with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission — the official South African business registry.

Entrepreneurship Intermediate

SEDA — Small Enterprise Development Agency SA

Access free business support, mentorship, and funding guidance specifically for South African small businesses and youth entrepreneurs — including township-based ventures.

Getting Devices

Apply for Devices Through Astute Tech ConnectNPO

Registered NPOs can apply for bulk refurbished laptops and devices at subsidised or zero cost through our ConnectNPO program. Includes setup support and 90-day warranty.

Getting Devices

Google Workspace for Nonprofits — Free Suite

Get Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, and Calendar completely free for your NPO — plus discounted access to Google Workspace Business Starter. Requires Google for Nonprofits eligibility.

Getting Devices

Microsoft Nonprofit Offers — Discounted Software & Cloud

Microsoft 365 Business Basic free for up to 10 users, plus discounted Azure credits and other tools for registered nonprofits. Apply through Microsoft's nonprofit portal.

Funding

Department of Social Development — NPO Funding Guide

Official guide to accessing government funding through DSD as a registered NPO in South Africa — including subsidy application processes and reporting requirements.

Funding

National Lotteries Commission (NLC) — Grant Applications

South Africa's NLC distributes grants to registered NPOs for community development. This guide covers eligibility, application timelines, and what makes a strong submission.

Funding

CSI Funding South Africa — Corporate Social Investment Guide

How to approach South African companies for CSI funding — what they look for, how to write a compelling proposal, and which sectors attract the most corporate investment.

Compliance

NPO Act Registration — Official DSD Guide

Everything you need to register as an NPO under the NPO Act No. 71 of 1997 — forms, requirements, turnaround times, and what to do after registration.

Compliance

POPIA Compliance for NPOs in South Africa

Understanding the Protection of Personal Information Act and what it means for how your NPO collects, stores, and uses data about beneficiaries, donors, and staff.

Digital Comms

WhatsApp Business — Setting Up for Your NPO

How to set up WhatsApp Business for your organisation — auto-replies, catalogues, broadcast lists, and using it professionally to communicate with beneficiaries and donors.

Digital Comms

Canva for Nonprofits — Free Design Tools

Canva offers a free premium plan for registered nonprofits — giving you access to thousands of professional templates for social media, reports, presentations, and fundraising materials.

Digital Comms

Facebook & Instagram for NPOs — Beginner's Guide

How to set up a professional Facebook Page and Instagram account for your NPO — cover images, contact info, posting strategy, and how to get your first 500 followers.

Data & Reporting

Google Sheets for Impact Tracking — Free Template

A practical guide to using Google Sheets to track your NPO's beneficiary numbers, program outcomes, and donor activity — with ready-to-use templates built for nonprofits.

Data & Reporting

DSD Annual Reporting — What to Submit and When

A practical guide to completing your annual NPO compliance report for the Department of Social Development — what's required, deadlines, and how to avoid deregistration.

Data & Reporting

Impact Reporting for Donors — How to Tell Your Story with Data

How to turn your program numbers into a compelling impact report that keeps donors engaged and helps you attract new funders — including what to measure and how to present it.

Want to join a structured program?

The Learning Hub gives you the resources — our Programs give you the guidance, mentorship, and community to go further.