By Sally Crompton | Report Writer
Twenty-two year old, Limpopo local, Thato relocated to Diepsloot in 2016 to look for a job. After completing her Grade 12 in 2013, Thato stayed at home and applied for bursaries to further her studies without any luck. Later on, her mother became unemployed, which meant Thato had to put her dreams on hold and take on the responsibilities of becoming the family breadwinner. After months of one job application after another she moved to Diepsloot in hope of further job opportunities, in an area closer to the buzzing and cosmopolitan Johannesburg. When she arrived in Diepsloot, a neighbour was aware of her situation and told her about Afrika Tikkun, she then dropped off her Curriculum Vitae at the Wings of Life Centre, and in no time she was called for an interview. Although she didn’t get a job at the time she was told to come and attend a cleaning training course offered by Servest.
When the training didn’t result in employment, Thato attended the Youth Skills Development & Placement Programme (YSDP) course offered by Afrika Tikkun. She enhanced her computer skills in the computer lab, and improved her chances of securing a job. After the course she was employed as a runner for an events company but the money was not sustainable to provide security for her and her family as most of her salary went to transport. In March 2017, Thato was called again for an interview for a position in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) - on a one-month long contract. When the contract ended Thato volunteered at the Afrika Tikkun Centre in the kitchen as she didn’t want to go back to an idle life. Luckily for her, the Expanded Public Works Programme positions were available again and she was interviewed for the second time. Thato is now employed at the EPWP and is able to provide for her family as the sole breadwinner.
“Life was tough, I never thought I was going to get employed and attending the skills programme revived my drive to go back to school. I would encourage the youth the take opportunities able to them especially given that the programme doesn’t only teach how to get a job but to start your own business as well, which can decrease the unemployment rate.”
Thato’s story is one of many young people who pass through our career development programme. Our course engages the youth through computer skills and ensuring that they can comfortably use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel by the time they graduate. In addition, our beneficiaries learn basic web design, coding and have access to unlimited online courses where they can study subject matter which personally interests them.
Providing access to computers and internet enables young people in our centres the opportunity to search for jobs, apply for them, and make a positive step on the path towards a productive future.
On behalf of the young people at Afrika Tikkun, we want to thank you for investing in the future of South Africa, helping our beneficiaries grow from cradle to career into becoming productive citizens for the future.
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