Talented youth equiped with skills, set up own companies
IT training from a Mthatha-based NPO changes lives
Abongile Mona, Nangamso Mhlanganiso and Nceba Mvakade have a lot in common, despite being born in different parts of the Eastern Cape.
At some stage, the three youngsters were all unemployed and had to find creative ways to make a living. But that is not where the similarities end.
Before July 2019, they also had no clue how to fix computers or a simple technological gadget such as a cellphone.
But thanks to skills development training from a Mthatha-based NPO called Global Leading Light Initiatives (GLLI), they are now not only all tech-savvy but have also become proud owners of their very own computer and cellphone fixing companies.
The training programme was funded by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).
The three were among the lucky five chosen from more than 100 unemployed youths who had responded to an advert placed in the Daily Dispatch by GLLI earlier in 2019.
The five youngsters, including 32-year-old Odwa Mgudlwa, from Mthatha, and Sesethu Sonjwaxa, 24, from East London, were issued their certificates during a special event on Thursday morning.
Speaking at the event, Mhlanganiso, 26, from Mqanduli, said she had never heard about some of the jargon used in the information technology world, before undergoing the training.
“To tell you the truth, I always wanted to have my own business but before July I didn’t know anything about computers or terms like reconfiguration of the network, hardware and software repair or installation,” she said.
“Now I have opened my own business.
“I wanted to inspire other females. My message is clear; this is not a men’s world, we can also lead in this field.”
Mhlanganiso, who studied at the King Hintsa TVET College in Dutywa, said she had tried to look for a job after completing her studies but had ended up working at a small internet shop just to make ends meet.
She quit her job at the shop to start the training programme run by GLLI.
Nceba Mvakade, 26, also found himself unemployable after quitting his computer studies at PC Training College in Durban in 2017.
But now he also runs his own company specialising in fixing computers and cellphones.
“I am now able to make my own money as my own boss. The training has changed my life,” he said.
He now hopes to grow his business so he can open branches in Qumbu, EmaXesibeni (formerly Mount Ayliff) and his hometown of KwaBhaca (formerly Mount Frere), as there are no such services available in those areas.
Twenty-nine-year-old Abongile Mona had to work as a street vendor to put food on the table, after her internship at a company ended in 2017.
She had completed a diploma in IT software development and a certificate in support services at Nelson Mandela University in 2015.
The Matatiele-born youngster now operates her own company specialising in branding for businesses and computer, laptop, mobile and printer repairs.
GLLI CEO Dieudonne Allo said the training was part of a pilot project funded by the IDC which was designed to create entrepreneurs and employers who would be equipped to invest in their communities.
Allo said they would continue supporting the five entrepreneurs, including giving them counselling and helping with marketing their businesses.
“The person behind the business is as important as the business itself,” Allo added.
He said they were also hoping to raise funds for the construction of a Mthatha Innovation Hub where they could train more young entrepreneurs in the area.
IDC’s head of corporate social investment, Tebogo Molefe, said it was important to help empower young people as per the corporation’s mandate of helping in job creation initiatives.
To tell you the truth, I always wanted to have my own business but before July I didn’t know anything about computers or terms like reconfiguration of the network