Youth Day - June 2020

YOUTH DAY JUNE 2020
www.businessmediamags.co.za

Lerato Senakhomo Happy Khambule Palesa Moloi

Monedi Lefakane Tlou Ledwaba Ndoni Mcunu

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE

The voices of the youth on unemployment, climate change,
transforming industries and the digital revolution

Youth Power:

Growing South Africa
Together in the Period of

Covid-19



YOUTH DAY Editorial commentary
PUBLISHED BY
F orty-four years have passed since that mother tongue language education is
A proud division of Arena Holdings fateful day – 16 June 1976 – when police being neglected in favour of English,
13th Floor, 2 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001 opened fire on students in Soweto who which is considered a universal language.
Tel: +27 21 469 2400 | Fax: +27 86 682 2926 were peacefully protesting at being
taught in Afrikaans. Over two days, Most young people still live in apartheid-
www.businessmediamags.co.za at least 176 young people were shot dead, created townships and they are not spared
among them 13-year-old Hector Pieterson, the many problems associated with these
EDITORIAL whose dead body was beamed all over the areas, such as poor housing and sanitation,
world in a famous picture taken by freelance inequality, unemployment, poverty and
Content Manager: Raina Julies photographer Sam Nzima. hunger, and resultant social ills such as
[email protected] gangsterism and drug dealing, which are
For years, 16 and 17 June were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contributors: Trevor Crighton, commemorated as Soweto Days, until
Ryland Fisher, Lynne Gidish, Levi Letsoko, South Africa became a democracy and the Lyrics from one of the popular songs
government decided to celebrate Youth Day on students sang in 1976 said: “Freedom
Anél Lewis, Puseletso Mompei 16 June. While its focus might have changed, isn’t free. You have to pay the price, you
Copy Editor: Brenda Bryden the roots of 16 June will never be forgotten. have to sacrifice, for your liberty”. Many
Content Co-ordinator: Vanessa Payne young people are continuing to pay the
Digital Editor: Stacey Visser Young people today still face challenges price without reaping the benefits
[email protected] in education and, even in post-apartheid of freedom. ■
South AfricaAfrica – which recognises Ryland Fisher
DESIGN 11 official languages – the reality is that

Head of Design: Jayne Macé-Ferguson Contents
Design Team: Mfundo Archie Ndzo,
2 UNEMPLOYMENT
Lesley-Ann van Schalkwyk
Advert Designer: Bulelwa Sotashe Is YES the answer to the crippling youth
unemployment crisis?
SALES
7 MENTAL HEALTH
Project Manager: Jerome van der Merwe How to cope with the e ects of COVID-19
[email protected] | +27 21 469 2485 |
11 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
+27 82 668 1496 Driving transformation and growth in
Sales Team: Frank Simons, Anele Agbai accounting education

PRODUCTION 13 THE PROPERTY SECTOR
Unlocking access for black youth in the real
Production Editor: Shamiela Brenner estate game
Advertising Co-ordinator: Monique Sauls
Subscriptions and Distribution: Shumiera 16 DIGITAL LITERACY
Crossing the digital divide through
Fredericks, [email protected] competency and skills development

MANAGEMENT 18 CLIMATE CHANGE
How young South Africans are making an
Management Accountant: Deidre Musha impact on climate change awareness
Business Manager: Lodewyk van der Walt
General Manager, Magazines: Jocelyne Bayer 19 AGRICULTURE
What young entrepreneurs are doing to
Copyright: Picasso Headline. survive in the sector
No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in
any form without written consent of the publisher. 20 PROFILE: TOMORROW TRUST
inking di erently about giving
The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited
material. Business Day Youth Day is published
by Picasso Headline. The opinions expressed are
not necessarily those of Picasso Headline. All
advertisements/advertorials have been paid for and

therefore do not carry any endorsement by
the publisher.

YOUTH DAY 1

UNEMPLOYMENT

What is needed to

drive youth
employment?

High-impact, innovative job creation Youth graduates protesting against the high
initiatives are needed to respond to the unemployment rates in SA.
country’s increasing youth unemployment

crisis, reports Anél Lewis

B efore the COVID-19 pandemic, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES
unemployment in South Africa was
already at its highest rate since 2008, One such initiative is the Youth Employment
with more than half of the country’s Service (YES), which, since its launch in
youth unable to nd work. Statistics 2018, has created more than 32 000 quality
work experiences.
SA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey showed “YES is an initiative that brings together all
that 40.1 per cent of young people aged 15–34 the stakeholders with a common goal. It has
are not engaged in any formal employment, the ability to use tools such as the Department
education or training. of Trade and Industry B-bBEE incentive, A young seamstress, part of
is means that 8.2 million young people private sector capital, and the goodwill and the YES #Masks4All project.
were already out of work before the start of the buy-in of labour,” says YES CEO Tashmia
pandemic, which the United Nations says will Ismail-Saville. THE VALUE OF
severely disrupt youth’s access to education YES has been particularly e ective in PARTNERSHIPS
and employment. creating jobs and moving salaries to places
In her May 20 newsletter, Business beyond the major economic nodes of Gauteng YES is also working with Transnet and other
Leadership SA CEO Busi Mavuso says the and Cape Town to communities in the private sector funders such as Nedbank to
pandemic has resulted in new ways of doing Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. create opportunities in local communities,
business, which will drive disruption in the job It is not a recruitment agency, clari es so that the youth can work closer to
market. “To preserve jobs in an already high Ismail-Saville. Rather, YES works with home. “The sheer cost of travelling to and
unemployment environment, business organisations and the corporate sector to from work locks many people out of the
and the state are going to have to identify gaps in their value chain economy,” says Ismail-Saville.
be innovative to avert an even that could be lled by young
greater economic crisis that candidates. In exchange for Nedbank has committed to providing
will emerge from FAST FACT a 12-month internship, work experiences to more than 300 recruits
these changes.” partner companies are in 2021. “Our hope is that by giving youth
In the past 12 months, rewarded with level-ups the opportunity of their first job, they will
Business Unity South go on to become inspiring leaders and
Africa (BUSA) chief YES has injected over on their B-bBEE scorecards. entrepreneurs, who will, in turn, create job
opportunities for others. YES is the perfect
R1.4-billion in youth partner for this,” says Deb Fuller, Nedbank
Group Human Resources executive.
executive Cas Coovadia salaries back into e COVID-19 crisis will
One of YES’ more immediate responses
local economies. to the lockdown has been the YES
#Masks4All project, which has involved
says that post-pandemic Source: YES have a “massive” impact on the strategic partnerships with Uber and
property group Exemplar to provide
changes in how we deal with workforce, cautions Ismail-Saville, R1-million’s worth of mask orders for
unemployment will be essential. with skilled people e ectively being seamstresses in the townships.
“ e COVID-19 pandemic will result in forced to trade down. “ e likelihood is that it
a recalibration of the global socioeconomy, will become increasingly more di cult for the ground, do market research, and embrace
and youth unemployment will have to be youth to enter the workforce.” the creativity needed in these ‘new economy’
considered within that context. erefore, structured programmes such workspaces,” says Ismail-Saville. ■
“We need to understand the economy as YES will be vital in helping these youth
we will rebuild and the skills we will need. get a foot in the door. “We are looking at
All initiatives working in the area of youth multiple green eld projects to place youth into IMAGES: SUPPLIED
employment must then collaborate to focus on value chains as we feel they are well equipped
developing such skills.” to work digitally, act as ambassadors on the

2 YOUTH DAY









MENTAL HEALTH

IMAGES: ASPHOTOWED/ISTOCK.COM, DAISY DAISY/ISTOCK.COM CCOOPINVGIWDIT-H19 TAKE BACK CONTROL

Life under lockdown is extremely challenging for us all, but The best way to cope mentally in times
young people, in particular, are struggling with their mental of such unprecedented uncertainty is to
and psychological wellbeing. Our expert explains how try to put measures in place that give
to cope. By Lynne Gidish you a sense of being in control,
explains Dr Rosin.
S outh Africans have had to deal with many di culties as a society over and over These include:
again, says counselling psychologist Dr Robyn Rosin. “We’ve had to face injustice,
inequality, poverty, corruption and crime. We’ve had to live with load shedding and sticking to a routine
water shortages and a junk status economy, and just when we thought it couldn’t limiting watching of the news
get any worse, the global COVID-19 pandemic arrived on our shores, severely avoiding negativity
impacting our lives.” learning a new skill online
staying connected with family and
HERE TO STAY friends online
learning to meditate/
e biggest problem with COVID-19 is that there’s no end in sight. e World breathe correctly
Health Organisation (WHO) has described it as a marathon, not a sprint, exercising daily
which is why it has highlighted the importance of encouraging mental eating as healthily as possible
and psychological wellbeing during this highly challenging time. “Stress washing your hands.
levels prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus were already high, especially “Remember that as human beings
among our most vulnerable youth,” explains Dr Rosin. we have tremendous courage and
resilience,” she says. “So keep
“Many teenagers and young adults were battling with mental health reminding yourself that ‘this
issues such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, too shall pass’ and that it will not
so it isn’t surprising that the lockdown has fuelled an already last forever. We learn about our
burning re of psychological distress. e levels of mental health strengths from hardship, so never
issues have exploded, with helplines reporting record numbers underestimate yours.”
of calls from people trying to navigate the uncertainty and
lifestyle changes. “The lockdown has
fuelled an already
“ e increased police presence, the army enforcing new burning fire of
laws, curfews and the ban of cigarettes and alcohol are psychological distress.”
reminiscent for many of the not too distant past. And although – Dr Robyn Rosin
all these laws are designed to protect us, the feeling of having
our freedom snapped away tugs at a very raw wound for many
of our youth. And no one knows when this will end.”

UNDER PRESSURE completely unmotivated. It’s important to be aware of these and any
other changes in your mood or behaviour. Try rating your symptoms
So if you find you’re feeling sad, unsettled, anxious, fearful, trapped, on a scale between 0–10 and monitor how long these negative
confused and uncertain, remember, says Dr Rosin, you are not alone. feelings last.
“All of these, together with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
and even anger, are nothing to feel embarrassed or ashamed about - “If they’re present most of the time at five or above on the scale, seek
they’re normal reactions to an abnormal event. Other symptoms you professional help at your nearest clinic or from your medical practitioner
may be experiencing,” she adds, “include changes in appetite, sleep or call The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) on
problems, irritability, agitation, tearfulness, feeling numb, tired and 0800 456 789/0800 21 22 23 or visit www.sadag.org.” ■

YOUTH DAY 7

TCEHLEIBSRAYTIONGUTTRAHNSMFOROMNATTIOHN

When it comes to education e orts, the chartered accountancy industry has much
to celebrate, writes Robert Zwane, senior executive: National Imperatives at the
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants

I n recent years, the South African The Thuthuka
Institute of Chartered Accountants’ Project managers.
(SAICA) transformation efforts
have come under intense criticism Why SAICA focuses its efforts on both advancement through SAICA’s lifelong IMAGES: SUPPLIED
because when: transformation and growth learning exercises.
• the pass rate of our two qualifying
e ultimate objective of SAICA’s It is under the auspices of the TEUF Board
assessments are viewed as “too transformation and growth initiatives is that SAICA’s pipeline creation priorities
high”, the assumption is that we are to grow and transform our membership include, among others:
dropping standards to fast-track our base to re ect the country’s population • increasing the pool of learners with
transformation goal; or demographics, both in terms of race
• the pass rate of either assessment is and gender. Success will, therefore, be quality mathematics result
viewed as “too low”, our critics take achieved when our membership numbers • securing sustainable funding results;
this as a sign that SAICA is raising re ect the demographics of the economically
standards to purposefully exclude active population. for wrap-around support in the
black candidates from entering the academic programme;
accounting profession. SAICA’s transformation initiatives are • improving tertiary throughput
There is no truth to either statement. governed by the uthuka Education pass rates;
As a profession, we view the Upli ment Fund (TEUF) Board, which • building capacity across the
quality of our education standards began in 2002 when we launched our rst historically disadvantaged universities
and our transformation objectives education-related projects in the Eastern through initiatives such as the
as two distinct, stand-alone Cape. Today, CTA programme;
goals. The standard setting and to have a greater impact in its transformation • unlocking the potential of distance
quality of the assessments are the and growth endeavours, SAICA’s focus learning institutions; and
responsibility of the Professional – thanks to the assistance of our various • transforming the professional
Development Committee (IPD) and strategic partners, funders and stakeholders – examination level (ITC and APC)
its subcommittees. These functions covers the full spectrum from “cradle through initiatives that support
are all housed in the Professional to grave”. improved throughputs.
Development unit. While the So how do these efforts stand up?
transformation matters – all aspects is means that our initiatives start To answer that, the most important
relating to growing and transforming from an early school level and continue measure for success is to look at whether
the number of the candidates – are until a candidate is qualified and registered SAICA’s membership numbers ref lect
dealt with by SAICA’s Transformation with SAICA as a chartered accountant growth as a direct outcome of the efforts
and Growth department. (CA(SA)) CA(SA) where they are then put into transforming the pipeline of
8 YOUTH DAY expected to continue their professional aspiring CAs(SA).

ADVERTORIAL

Membership overview: the true By combining factors such as the entry North West learners
measure of transformation success (eligibility) requirements; policies and procedures at the SAICA camp.
related to SAICA’s examinations/assessments;
The true impact of SAICA’s combined setting the relevant examinations/assessments; professional examinations. We have, therefore,
transformation initiatives is best the marking processes of SAICA’s examinations/ launched numerous initiatives related speci cally
represented by looking at how assessments; as well as adjudicating of the results, to the professional examinations.
significantly the membership base the function of this unit is to develop and assess
of CAs(SA) under 35 years old (this the competencies of entry level CAs(SA) who Looking ahead
is because there is not much that can are to demonstrate the expectations businesses
be done around transforming the and employers have for the 21st century. Both Although SAICA has seen and continues to see
inherited membership) has increased assessments seek to assess how well, within a real growth and transformation of its membership
over the same period. And what it world and professional context, candidates have through the various initiatives it has had in place
reveals is significant as it shows that developed and can apply these competencies across the quali cation process, we acknowledge
black membership for CAs(SA) under and not just mechanically apply their technical the importance of improving performance in the
the age of 35 has grown from 13 per knowledge. SAICA works tirelessly to ensure qualifying examinations.
cent in 2002 (with only 3 per cent of its education, training and examination
that number being African) to 48 per processes are rigorous, robust, fair and in line is is to sustain the transformation e orts of the
cent (25 per cent African) in 2020. with international best practice as outlined profession as we still have some way to go before
by the education and training standards of our membership demographics re ects the
What then is the role of the International Federation of Accountants country’s pro le.
Professional Development? (IFAC), while also ensuring that signi cant
time and resources are allocated to ensure is is not a feat we can tackle alone. For that,
As mentioned earlier, the Transformation and that disadvantaged candidates have the best we must thank our partners (both in the public
Growth unit (and its related boards) focuses on possible chance to succeed, thanks to a and the private sector) that have collaborated with
SAICA’s transformation and capacity building variety of interventions that the profession runs us to make all of this happen.
initiatives, the organisation’s Professional throughout the education value chain.
Development unit (and related committees) We urge them (and others) to continue to
focuses on developing and protecting the We do, however, acknowledge that to have support our e orts.
standards of the CA(SA) quali cation through all a greater impact in our transformation e orts,
steps in the quali cation process. more support needs to be given to unsuccessful
candidates to empower and prepare them for the
e quali cation process takes a minimum
of seven years, this includes the (minimum)
four-year academic programme, the (minimum)
three-year training programme, completion of a
professional programme and the two professional
quali cation examinations (the ITC and APC).

e standards are rst de ned through the
SAICA Competency Framework, which
sets out competencies (knowledge, skills,
attitudes and values) expected of entry level
CAs(SA), and then articulated through the
two qualifying examinations.

Robert
Zwane

IMAGES: XXXXXXX

YOUTH DAY 9



PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

TPRLANASFYORIMNATGIONT: HE SUCCESS STORY
LONG GAME
In 2015, after being part of the Thuthuka
Increasing the number of suitably qualified accounting professionals Saturday Programme at Unisa in Pretoria,
is key to transforming our communities, writes Levi Letsoko Bright Path Business Consultants founder
Tlou Ledwaba CA(SA) received a call from
IMAGE: SUPPLIED Graduating accounting students. is initiative is well resourced to create SAICA inviting him to join the SAICA study
pipelines under the guidance and watchful programme based in Sandton.
L aunched in 2002, uthuka (a Zulu eye of the TEUF Board. ese pipelines’ main
verb meaning “to develop”) has objective is to create a large pool of learners with “SAICA played a major role in persuading
tackled the mammoth task of enabling quality mathematics results and provide them my employer at the time to allow me to
transformation in the accounting with a fully-funded and adequately supported be part of the programme while working
profession through initiatives that include academic programme that prepares them for the remotely for the company,” says Ledwaba.
early-stage preparation of potential bene ciaries accounting profession.
in all nine provinces. “The assistance provided me with all the
Rolling out a project of this magnitude is not support that I needed to pass my board
“ e utuka programme is a South African without challenges – most of these obstacles are examinations and helped alleviate any
Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) deeply entrenched in the structural makeup of possible hindrances allowing me to focus on
initiative, which aims to transform, grow and the country’s education system. attaining my qualification,” he adds.
own the accounting education landscape in the
country,” says Gugu Makhanya, senior executive: Some of these challenges include a low number After completing his degree, Ledwaba
Transformation Projects at SAICA. “SAICA’s of learners with good mathematics results served his articles at BDO South Africa
involvement starts from school (basic, (60 per cent and above), as well as the scarcity of for just over three-and-a-half years
higher and training environments) right up quali ed teachers who can be entrusted with the before launching Bright Path Business
to the professional quali cation level.” Consultants (BPBC).
responsibility of driving a high-performance
“Failing to own that landscape poses a campaign of ensuring learners’ BPBC is a SAICA and SEDA accredited
signi cant risk to the profession and the improvement in this subject. organisation, which positions the
country as this means we could nd “Other challenges that we constantly accounting firm as an assistant to the
ourselves without a pipeline of future grapple with are the high drop-out rates government’s implementation of the small
business leaders.” at third-year level and increased failure rate business strategy.

“Thuthuka is well at the professional examination levels,” Appointed as an accounting member
resourced to says Makhanya. of the Tax Court by
create pipelines.” the President in 2018,
– Gugu Makhanya Despite these challenges, the uthuka Ledwaba’s major
programme has achieved great milestones achievements include
over the years, paving the path to economic being selected as a
participation of just over 1 020 quali ed board member of
and registered Chartered Accountants CA(SA). Groote Schuur Hospital.

Gugu “The Thuthuka
Makhanya programme has
awakened me to
the importance of
positioning myself as a Tlou Ledwaba
bridge for other people
to reach for their dreams. This is one of
the reasons why I launched my accounting
practice,” he concludes.

“We have supported over 3 000 students, 900
of which have been awarded BCom degrees while
600 of those learners have acquired honours
degrees. uthuka currently has 791 bene ciaries
placed in CA(SA) training programmes,”
Makhanya explains.

“Our goal is to continue accelerating the
pipeline until it fully re ects the country’s
demographics. We hope to persuade the
Department of Basic Education to position
mathematics as a gateway subject for learners
at school level,” she concludes. ” ■

YOUTH DAY 11



PROPERTY MARKET

Students on
a job shadowing
programme run
by YIPA.

unlocking access to the

property sector
Led by six aspirant young
challenge for them is that they either don’t have without any massively successful property fund
professionals, The Youth someone to ask for advice or, because it’s their started by a black person.
rst time in the sector, they have no idea where Learning the ropes in the industry o en takes
in Property Association to start.” years and Lefakane says if young people lack
focuses on transforming the experience with property investments and don’t
property sector by facilitating Lefakane says the idea for YIPA came about know where or how to start, then they have to
youth participation, in June 2016, when he was completing his BSc do a lot of work to get up to speed. And, o en
reports Puseletso Mompei (Engineering) in Property Studies at UCT. “My may fail because they are overwhelmed
property studies class was predominantly made
up of white males who came from families with and lost.
At last count, the South African property an existing legacy in the property industry. At Today, YIPA has initiatives focused
sector was valued at R5.8-trillion, the time, 70 per cent of the class was white and on education, entrepreneurship and
according to the latest Property Sector 30 per cent non-white with only 8 per cent being employment with a support base of over
Charter Council’s (PSCC) report. black.” However, he says, the challenge within 1 500 individuals across the country
the sector isn’t just numbers, it is access. and a sta of 12 in Johannesburg
However, the participation of Lefakane explains: “ e property sector is a and Cape Town.
black youth is still lacking in this area and tight-knit community. Everything from great e sector was already
Monedi Lefakane, chairman of the job opportunities to accessing funding struggling pre-COVID-19,
Youth in Property Association and knowing which buildings are for so the forecast going
(YIPA), is determined to sale requires you to have a network. forward is cause for
change this. FAST FACT “ e white student’s parents concern. “When there
were architects, property is low growth in an
“ e three main barriers YIPA has donated developers and quantity economy, there are far
to transformation in the 10 per cent of its surveyors, so helping their fewer opportunities and
property sector for a young reserve funds to less activity taking place in
person today are really UNICEF South Africa’s children land life-changing the sector,” says Lefakane.
networks, experience and #BucketOfCare opportunities like internships,
economic growth,” explains mentorship and information about is results in fewer job
campaign.

Lefakane. “A lot of young people the sector was very easy.” opportunities for black youth to
want to get involved in the sector He believes these barriers have been a access the sector and a tougher
through employment or entrepreneurship or characteristic of the property sector for a very environment that challenges
even just an investment, but I o en nd that the long time, which is why today we see a sector their entrepreneurial skills. › Monedi
Lefakane

Y O U T H D AY 13

PROPERTY MARKET

YIPA job shadowing programme participants.

Palesa She admits that even though they have made “ ey further helped me to navigate
Moloi gains, the market is still quite challenging the space, which ultimately resulted in me
“especially during the COVID-19 climate, but receiving an award from the Women’s
NEW APPROACH TO AN AGE-OLD PROBLEM we are exploring interesting ideas to utilise Property Fund and getting more listings
the listed parking spaces. We are currently on the platform.”
One member of YIPA who is devising working on a drive-in cinema – it is during
creative ways to mitigate the impact of the times like these that people yearn to be together Moloi reminds new entrants that ideas take
pandemic on her business is Palesa Moloi, and have a shared experience and this is the time to come to fruition and the journey is not
CEO and co-founder of innovative parking safest and most creative way to do so”. an easy one. “Our initial ideas had many aws,
platform, ParkUpp. so we’ve had to pivot a few times before we
Moloi’s a liation with YIPA has been found what worked. So, stay in the game long
Moloi says the idea for the app came about fruitful and she says that in 2019 she was given enough to be less wrong about your idea.”
while she was an audit trainee at the City of an opportunity to present ParkUpp at a YIPA
Johannesburg and was not allocated parking event. “We gained a lot of interest from the She is a believer in doing what you love.
in the building. “I had to park on the street in event and met some in uential women in the “I’ve always been interested in property from
front of the building and I was constantly going space including Zola Malinga, the co-founder a young age, but also loved technology, so
outside to check my car. is made me super of Jade Capital, Ipeleng Mkhari, CEO and being able to fuse the two was super inspiring
uncomfortable. I eventually found a parking lot founder of Motseng, and Nonhlanhla Mayisela, for me. I wanted to see my idea work and
nearby that was not being used and a guard let CEO of Izandla Property Fund. still continue to seek creative ways to keep
me park my car there. us going.”

“Stay in the game long DETERMINATION, INTEGRITY AND LOYALTY REQUIRED IMAGES:SUPPLIED
enough to be less wrong about
your idea.” – Palesa Moloi Brian Sango, sales manager of Property Inspect, says YIPA was one the rst professional
bodies he joined back in 2017. It allowed him to connect with other young and ambitious
“I knew parking was an issue that needed professionals looking to grow through property. “It certainly helped grow my network and
addressing because everyone experienced the establish relationships with some individuals who have shaped my career massively. Today I co-
same problem: nding parking or paying for own a property investment company, am part of the South African Institute of Black Property
parking. So, I started ParkUpp.” Practitioners (SAIBPP)’s Western Cape Chapter Committee and I sit on the Management
Committee of the Western Cape Property Development Forum.”
Gaining traction took longer than she
expected – about four years – and Moloi says According to Sango, one of the biggest challenges is the market not being very receptive to
that succeeding in the property sector was quite new tools or methods. “I have found that it takes time for a new o ering to
a challenge, as she didn’t have networks in the be received. However, there are endless opportunities in the property
sector. Over time, however, she has developed sector. It is all about identifying a teething issue and o ering a
the courage to continuously introduce herself solution to it. is has been the gateway that has helped accelerate
to more people in the sector, share her idea and many start-ups in the sector.”
re ne the initial business model.
He shares that succeeding in the sector as a young black
14 YOUTH DAY professional requires determination because, as we all know, there
are good and bad days. “But if you’re determined, you can weather
the storms along the journey. Secondly, I would say you need
integrity, as it will help to build solid relationships with those you
meet along the way. ere is de nitely power in collaboration and that
can only be nourished by integrity. Lastly, loyalty – and by this, I don’t
mean being loyal to a company or brand, but rather being loyal to one’s
vision and goal – will give you the fuel and direction you need to get to
your destination.”

He emphasises that wanting something is one thing, but to get it you
need to strive for it. ■

Brian
Sango



DCRIGOITSASLINDGIVTHIEDE

“Internet access and foundational Positioning the country to capitalise on the fourth industrial
digital skills are today regarded revolution will be challenging, writes Trevor Crighton
as a human right. is is one
of the strongest arguments and social innovation techniques for designing institutional capability development and digital
for government to ensure that none of appropriate digital solutions to South Africa’s transformation among others) and nding and
its citizens are le behind in terms of needs. e project is facilitated by CoLab, developing ways to achieve digital inclusion,
this digital transformation process,” which has partnered with seven higher especially – but not only – in marginalised
says Wouter Grove, project manager education institutions across the country to communities and groups.
UWC-Samsung Future Innovation attempt to help improve digital education
Lab. “ ere is still a very limited among young South Africans. Future Innovation Lab course
understanding of the concept of digital students at UWC.
literacy in South Africa”. CoLab is a nationwide project that lobbies
for and assists in developing projects and
He says that the Lab di erentiates frameworks towards an inclusive approach for
between foundational skills (typical maximum participation in the competitive
computer skills for work readiness), global digital society and economy, with
ICT practitioner skills, sector/user e-inclusion and social innovation at its heart.
digital skills, and digital leadership
skills. “ ere is currently an It plays a thought leadership, academic and
overemphasis on the ICT practitioner change facilitator role focusing on many facets,
skills without the realisation that the including understanding the digital divide
technological changes demand the and the implications thereof for South African
inclusion of digital competence and society, engaging with multistakeholders
skills in all sectors”. for skills and capability development
for participation in the digital economy
PARTNERING TO ENSURE (including leadership skills, digital skills,
DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

Future Innovation Lab is a project of the
Samsung EEIP (Equity Equivalent Investment
Programme) R&D Academy, with EEIP falling
under the Department of Trade & Industry,
which invites multinational companies
to participate and contribute positively
towards B-bBEE in South Africa. e Future
Innovation Lab o ers, among other things,
a three-month Introduction to Digital Social
Innovation for Impact course. e course is
focused on design-thinking methodologies

16 YOUTH DAY

DIGITAL LITERACY

A TMG Makerspace workshop. youth in emerging digital technologies and
empower them to be employable or start
EMPOWERMENT, EDUCATION “At Tshimologong, we train the youth to their own enterprises. To have many young
AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP design for augmented reality, 3D printing South Africans from poor backgrounds get
and laser-cutting, and operate the machinery exposure and training in new technologies
Similarly, the Tshimologong Digital for digital fabrication. e youth also learn is the biggest success story for us as they
Innovation Precinct in Braamfontein, coding to produce Internet of ings (IoT) will stand a chance to participate in
Johannesburg is a multifaceted space that devices. Because of the very high demand emerging industries.”
links hardware, so ware and digital content for the courses and limited seats, we ask
innovation with commercial success, for motivation from candidates. ose TMG Makerspace operates ABB Digital
nurturing technology businesses and digital with strong motivation to learn, apply their Fabrication Workshops for previously-
products to become viable businesses. learnings and teach others, get seats and disadvantaged youth, aged between 18–35.
attend training,” he says. “We aim to train “ABB has o ered seats to its Robotics and
While the focus of much of their work is Automation Training programme for some of
on digital business, the TMG Makerspace is a “We train the youth to our workshop attendees and facilitators from
training hub within it which seeks to promote design for augmented townships. But, the programme has been
and enable access to innovation through reality, 3D printing and delayed due to the lockdown,” says Sekota.
collaborative making, training, upskilling laser-cutting.”
and experimentation. – Nelson Sekota “A major mining corporation has
approached Tshimologong to train youth
Tshimologong Makerspace co-manager from rural Limpopo as part of their Exposure
Nelson Sekota says that their philosophy is Programme. e training was in business
that digital literacy is the ability to nd and and emerging digital technologies such as 3D
consume, create and share digital content. printing, arti cial intelligence, Internet of

ings, robotics and automation, to prepare
the youth for the future of jobs in the mining
industry. e start of the pilot was also
delayed because of the lockdown.”

IMAGES: SUPPLIED TEACHING DIGITAL NETWORKING, to train students in how to stay safe online, and engaging learning modules that provide
MARKETING AND CYBERSAFETY providing practical tips and guides, while advice on how to make the most of the
creating a number of youth ambassadors to opportunities on the internet while protecting
Digify Africa founder Gavin Weale is quoted as provide peer-to-peer support. themselves from issues such as scams
having said that despite the excitement around and harassment.
the digital economy and the opportunities e former programme o ers free resources
it creates, the big risk is and practical tools to help “ e internet is a gateway to a world
that the focus will be on of economic opportunities, educational
improving the lives of people Gavin sharpen business owners’ skills, possibilities, fun, and friendships for many
who are already digitally Weale grow their business, or expand young South Africans,” said Emilar Gandhi,
connected, while those public policy manager for SADC at Facebook
who are not connected to their network by teaching them at the project launch. “But, it is also important
the internet get le behind, how to employ advertising on for them to learn how to protect their personal
resulting in a widening of Facebook and Instagram. It information and to safeguard themselves
the digital divide. Weale o ers job seekers free training online. Increasing awareness and ensuring that
believes that as much as focused on helping them learn young people feel empowered is important and
80 per cent of the South vital digital skills. For community something to which we are committed.”
African population is not digitally literate. “By leaders, it o ers networking and
this I mean they do not know how to use digital mentorship to show how they can In the 21st century, it’s imperative that more
resources as a tool to unlocking the economic use Facebook’s tools to widen their community, South Africans have increased levels of digital
potential for themselves,” he says. nd resources to connect with others and create literacy. If COVID-19 has taught us anything
new community networks, or join leadership in the tech space, it’s that the ability to start a
Digify Africa partners in several initiatives circles that inspire them. Developers and start- digital business or take an existing company
with Facebook, including a “Boost with ups can access global learning programmes into the digital world is vital. While these vital
Facebook” training programme for and have the opportunity to connect with other training initiatives being o ered by entities
entrepreneurs, jobseekers and community developers, including o ering state-of-the- like CoLab, Digify Africa and Tshimologong
leaders to learn digital marketing skills. art tools and access to research projects and are helping prepare the country for the fourth
resources to accelerate their projects. industrial revolution, there’s still plenty of work
ey also run an online safety programme Ilizwe Lam was created in consultation to be done. ■
called Ilizwe Lam (Xhosa for “my world”) with youth groups and features interactive

YOUTH DAY 17

CLIMATE CHANGE

WE NEED TO RECOGNISE LOCAL THINKING
AND KNOWLEDGE

Ndoni Mcunu, who is completing a PhD in

Climate Change and Food Production at

Wits University’s Global Change Institute,

is using scienti c research to acknowledge

and lend credibility to the e orts of African

communities and their solutions.

“I would like to highlight the measures

nChaarngrinagttihve e Africans are taking to adapt to climate

change and put the spotlight on young people

with innovative projects on the ground, but

who don’t receive the support to scale up.”

In her studies on how can farmers be

more resilient in the face of climate change

by exploring methods of farming that can

increase food security in adverse weather

events, she gives a voice to

people whose approaches Ndoni
are o en ignored. Mcunu

Mcunu says climate

change is close to her

Young people have been spearheading the climate change heart because Africa
movement for decades, yet their voices are often unheard. is one of the most
Puseletso Mompei spoke to two young people involved vulnerable areas of the
with climate change world as we o en lack
the resources or adaptive

measures in place to

YOUTH VOICES MISSING involved with projects that tackle issues such respond. “I want rst-
hand understanding
Happy Khambule, Greenpeace Africa’s senior as water scarcity, calling for an end to business of how we can protect
ourselves and our
political advisor, says that in his experience when having unlimited access to water at the expense of environment. It is
important to recognise
tackling issues around climate change, vulnerable South African communities, indigenous knowledge,
local thinking and systems over and
the voices of South African youth and driving solar projects in above western knowledge. Young people’s
voices in developing nations are important
are lacking and when represented FAST FACT the townships to address the because they are unique contributors to the
“our voice is by proxy of challenges around access to indigenous knowledge repository.”
people who don’t have our Greenpeace operates clean energy. In the next ve
lived experiences”. in over 55 countries, years, Khambule hopes to see She points out that “few international
transformation in the sector, donors or funders ask how we, as Africans,
He asserts that the major funded by and to “contribute to a growing have been coping, adjusting and mitigating
challenge goes beyond race and donations from over the challenges we are faced with, despite not
four million individual having a voice, or resources backing
our work.
inequality or class distinctions. supporters. consciousness around how we
“Our voices are important because we need
It’s about the generational relate to one another and the to make sure that the narrative is told by us.
Otherwise, we will continue to see funding go
gap that exists around not only physical world in which we live”. to ine ective programmes because they are
based on solutions that aren’t sensitive to
understanding, but also in direction and Khambule believes that climate our environment”. ■

aspirations. “ is manifests itself in the manner change presents a literal existential crisis.

in which government engages with youth And the reason it is so critical is that if

concerns, be it around participation, it’s su ciently addressed many other

consultation or integration.” bene ts will follow. “ e COVID-19

e 29 year old got involved in crisis has shown us that if we do the

climate change through high school, bare minimum well, our collective

a journey that was ampli ed when he vulnerability is decreased.”

participated in a Junior Achievement

programme at university and was given

the opportunity to start his own

project in the inner city with

Global ChangeMakers. “when represented, our voice is by proxy of people IMAGES: SUPPLIED
His work at who don’t have our lived experiences.”
– Happy Khambule
Greenpeace has also
allowed him to get

Happy
Khambule

18 Y O U T H D AY

FARMING AND AGRICULTURE

cdPrehodsuacpinilgtlaeheatrnvhegest es Melinda
Ngoasheng
Despite the agriculture sector being hard hit by COVID-19,
young South Africans are implementing innovative
strategies to survive the crisis. Levi Letsoko reports

IMAGES: SUPPLIED Lerato Senakhomo, director at Senakhomo Ltd Melida Ngoasheng, CEO Phetolo Riley Wines

Lerato Senakhomo developed a love for farming while she was still in high A er serving in the provincial government as
school. Upon noticing this interest, her parents enrolled her at the Buhle a personal assistant for over seven years, Melida
(Farmer’s) Academy to study the trade of farming and gain an understanding of Ngoasheng decided to take a leap of faith and
the agricultural enterprise. head into uncharted territories by launching
her own wine production company, Phetolo
In addition to her passion for farming, Senakhomo also believes that Riley Wines.
Senakhomo Ltd is a vehicle for luring more younger people into agriculture and
gaining empowerment and dignity in the process. Little did she know that six months later,
she would be navigating her new start-up
Doing business during the time of COVID-19 is a di cult endeavour, but into the rough seas of economic uncertainty
Senakhomo believes in seeking solutions for the challenges facing the farming brought about by the impact of the
industry. “ e downtime lasted longer than we expected and as a result, business COVID-19 outbreak.
slowed down. We have had to incur extra costs to train and support sta while
also providing them with personal protective gear,” she says. “I have always wanted to be my own boss
and create employment opportunities for other
Fortunately for Senakhomo, the pandemic came at a time when she was unemployed South Africans,” says Ngoasheng.
preparing to harvest vegetables and she successfully managed to secure the goods
and recover the important costs. “I started researching the wine industry in
2017 and investigating how I could tap into it,”
“ e pandemic taught me how to adjust in a very short period of time. Farming she adds.
is my life, I couldn’t allow the pandemic to take away my passion,” she says.
Ngoasheng’s company isn’t immune to the
Senakhomo has expressed her gratitude for government support, not only nancial knocks that ripped through many
during the outbreak, but also in the early stages of the business. other businesses as a result of the economic
downtime imposed by the lockdown.
e business has collected numerous accolades including an award from Grain She has had to reorganise her strategy and be
SA for harvesting 256 tons in 80ha of maize as well as an entrepreneur of the year creative about keeping her new business a oat
award from the government-supported programme, Landcare. during very trying times. Ngoasheng does not
qualify for any government support due to the
“My goal is to continue empowering other young people through skills transfer category classi cation of the business (sin-tax
while growing and building my business by positioning it to supply the broader classi cation enterprise).
food market at a bigger scale,” she concludes. “ e pandemic has impacted us in a big way
as production had to be halted and we had to
Lerato stop with sales just as we were making a mark
Senakhomo introducing the new brand,” she says.

e young entrepreneur strongly believes
that her business will persevere during these
di cult times and will be able to return to
making a positive contribution to the economy.

“Agriculture and farming provides more
than just food, it also provides products that
people use on a daily basis and it contributes
immensely to the economy,” she concludes. ■

YOUTH DAY 19

PROFILE

ATHBINOKIUNGTDIGFFIEVREINNTGLY The Tomorrow Trust
is using the COVID-19
lockdown to think
di erently about its
educational programme.
By Anél Lewis

B y broadening its established holistic and many of us are experiencing a similar In this way, the Tomorrow Trust has been
educational programme, nonpro t state of anxiety during the lockdown. able to expand its educational support
organisation Tomorrow Trust “ is gives you a sense of how to include online learning and
is turning the lockdown into an constant uncertainty makes it digital engagement. e trust
opportunity to adapt the way it harder to concentrate; most runs holiday programmes for
educates orphaned and vulnerable children. of our children live with CALL TO ACTION children in Grade R7, as well
For nine million of South Africa’s twelve this uncertainty every as senior Saturday school
million school-age population, the COVID-19 day. Children who don’t A donation of just R30 to

the Tomorrow Trust goes programmes for children in

lockdown has exacerbated their learning have enough food, or are towards keeping a Grade 8–12. It also o ers a

challenges by limiting access to basic food, grappling with trauma child or caregiver tertiary programme. With
hygiene and academic resources. Many who on a daily basis, live with connected to support lockdown restrictions in
bene t from the educational support provided a cognitive load we seldom place, teaching methods have
during lockdown.

by the Tomorrow Trust come from families acknowledge.” been adapted, and this month
where there is unemployment, or where the the Tomorrow Trust hosted its rst
caregivers are unable to provide the emotional Staying fed and connected virtual Saturday school.

and psychological support they need. e Tomorrow Trust has responded to these Teachers have also been given data and
For the past 15 years, the Tomorrow Trust food needs, and partnered with the Solidarity nancial support to run their own
has been providing holistic educational support Fund, through Afrika Tikkun, the HCI virtual classes.
to disadvantaged children in Johannesburg and Foundation and their own partner to provide Partnerships with organisations such as
Cape Town. e trust’s academic programme 400 food, hygiene and care packs for under- African Teen Geeks, a nonpro t organisation
includes psychosocial support to provide resourced and struggling families. o ering digital learning, provide additional
children with essential life skills. e pack includes a one-month data bundle online classes while host schools such as
“Quality education is primarily about to provide easier access to Whatsapp support Redhill and St Andrew’s share valuable online
developing your identity, meaning and purpose groups and free online educational resources. learning material.
in life. Every young person has the potential to One of the projects in the pipeline is a one-
thrive,” says James Donald, CEO of the trust. stop educational Whatsapp service. Developed
But children can’t thrive if they are hungry, “If we act now, we can look with the Department of Education’s partner
or have no access to the basic technology or back on how this crisis E3 with input from a group of organisations
data they need to learn online. Children in brought South Africans similar to the Tomorrow Trust, this platform
marginalised communities o en exist in a together. ” – James Donald will enable students to ask questions and access
sustained “ ght or ight” state, says Donald, links to free websites. It will also o er curated
educational content.
Although the Tomorrow Trust is
encouraging online learning, Donald says
this will not overshadow the importance of
establishing relationships to improve the lives
of children in its programme. “It is the ‘human
face’ that will be the true foundation of the so-
called fourth industrial revolution, and where
all our e ort should focus,” says Donald.
“It’s pointless just throwing nancial
resources or academic tools at a child and
expecting them to change – it requires a more
holistic, bigger-picture approach. If we act
now, we can look back on how this crisis IMAGES: SUPPLIED
brought South Africans together to help all
Students with the Tomorrow Trust care packages. children thrive.” ■

20 YOUTH DAY

GLOOCVAELRNMENT

Covid 19 – Economic
and health effects on

Local Government

PUBLICATION DATE: 30 JUNE 2020

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