“Reach for your Mars”, a mantra which became the driving force throughout Rajveer Singh Jolly’s illustrious career. At 19 years of age, he is the founder of Project Future, a tech company aiming to bridge the ever-widening digital divide in South Africa, “making it possible for everyone to benefit from the advancements of the future”.
In addition to being the CEO of a growing company, Jolly was decorated with individual honours, such as LeadSA Youth Hero Award and Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans, in recognition of his work in the tech industry.
Passion for Community Initiatives
Apart from Project Future providing young people with educational resources which would assist them in understanding and navigating the digital space, the company is actively involved in community initiatives, workshops and outreach projects.
Jolly is highly passionate about community-driven initiatives. Speaking to Salaamedia, Jolly said he prefers being on the ground and involved, having a first-hand account of the issues plaguing disadvantaged communities in the country.
Moreover, he wants to be active in the thought process which addresses these issues.
“I believe that the more time you spend in those communities, you realise that it’s not sometimes completely about finances. Sometimes it has to do a lot with the amount of time you can actually dedicate to the community themselves.”
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Company reimagined
Initially, the tech company began as a retail venture back in 2018. Since then, it has grown into an e-commerce store, offering a wide range of products and services.
However, after participating in a food drive that prepared and distributed sandwiches to a local primary school in Jolly’s home province of Cape Town, the company took on a new model.
Following his engagement with the students and their fascination with ordinary apps, he realised that not all South Africans know enough technology and how to use it properly.
“Tech isn’t really the focus of attention [in underprivileged communities], and that made me realise our current trajectory as we move forward as a nation together. Because tech is going to be at the centre [of] the future. Most jobs are going to be powered by tech, and most jobs are going to be replaced by tech, which is scary … The goal of Project Future is to [ask] how do we empower people with technology and how do we make sure that our youth and adults are ready for the future? Ready to arm themselves with tech. So that we don’t get left behind in the digital age.”
As a company, value is placed on empowering the youth and making technology and the Internet accessible to all South Africans. Therefore, according to their site, they are looking to partner with any educational institution, local government and tech companies which can assist in promoting digital literacy and digital inclusion.
“A pillar of Project Futures is the ambition to empower others. Project Future isn’t about Project Future itself. It’s about making sure that while you’re able to eat, someone else is also able to eat … If you see someone struggling with something that is tech-related, be kind to them and explain to them that look, this is how you do something.”
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Jolly’s Advice to Young People
Sharing his mantra is the best advice Jolly could offer to young people. By his definition, Mars can take on any form. It can be a passion project, a goal or a dream.
It is about learning, understanding and connecting with people and using that to change the lives of those around us and proving that the journey is much better than the destination.
“What I would tell them is to reach your Mars. To be ambitious and to reach out. People want to help you, and I know it’s weird, but … People are aware, and people get inspired by the work that you’re doing in your community so they can do the same in theirs.”
