Themba is a 21-year-old driven young man from Orange Farm. He completed his Matric in 2017, enrolled at a university but then withdrew after being unable to keep up with the demands of the course. In 2018, Themba became part of Career Development Programme with Afrika Tikkun Services. Here he learned basic computer skills including a Microsoft package, entrepreneurial skills and foundational skills to assist him to be ready for the dynamics in the workplace. Themba also secured his vehicle driving licence (Code 8) with Afrika Tikkun as well. After successfully completing these programmes, he was then placed in the Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme, and acquired his scooter driving licence in March 2020.
As a qualified scooter driver, Themba knows he has grown both individually and professionally, and is positive about the future. “Before the YES opportunity, I was doing side hustles,” Themba states. “But now, I see myself differently. I’ve been exposed to a whole new world of bikes and I’m more informed about the bike industry. The exposure has been eye opening.”
In the future, Themba hopes to study business. His advice to unemployed youth is to ensure they make the most of educational opportunities. “It’s important,” Themba says. “It opens a lot of closed doors and it gives you knowledge no one can take away from you.”
