Johannesburg - In March last year, Tbo Touch launched his online radio offering Touch HD. Just over a year later, he has signed a multimillion-rand deal with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to expand the internet platform.
The deal is set to help create 18 jobs for young online content producers and videographers to tell African stories.
In an interview with The Star at Touch HD headquarters in Sandton, Touch - whose real name is Thabo Molefe - said the funds from the IDC would help to create more opportunities for the youth.
“We are bringing in videographers and a new team. And we will be listing 18 jobs, thanks to the IDC’s funding.
“The IDC is there to assist the development of businesses and I look forward to seeing young people coming to work with us in production, creating content and doing digital-content management.”
The Touch HD founder said some of the content that would be created would be sent to internet entertainment streaming service Netflix.
Molefe will be flying to Los Angeles to meet with Netflix management later this month.
“We are not a radio station; Touch HD is a platform of content. We are going to get youth from the shacks to showcase their talent and skills.
“We are creating quality products that will live on your digital platforms,” he said.
“This content is going to be made by kids who never had their shot at the SABC. We are going to take the African content to the world
“Netflix is asking for content and I’m taking my content to Netflix. I was knocking on different doors; I got picked up by Netflix, while there are platforms here,” Touch said.
Touch HD chief operations officer Veshnee Padiachy said the IDC’s cash injection showed the corporation’s efforts to fund small, medium and micro enterprises.
“The IDC is there to ensure that SMMEs thrive, while responding to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for job creation,” said Padiachy.
He added that Touch HD had recently partnered with Gauteng in a project called Tshepo 1Million.
“We’ve joined hands with Premier David Makhura to urge corporates to form joint ventures with emerging entrepreneurs to ensure that 1 million jobs are created within the next 12 months.
“Most businesses fail because they can’t secure the appropriate advertising.
“We have dedicated a R2million advertising budget to help emerging businesses,” he said.
Tomorrow, Touch and his friends will visit the Hector Pieterson Museum in Soweto in the morning to commemorate Youth Day.
Touch will also be launching the Touch Reserve range of wines at the Saxon Hotel in Sandton.
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