UYF and NYC Beneficiary Stories

In about five years, Confidence Morongwe Motlhanke hopes to have left her teaching post to focus more on her business. She owns Olaleditswe B&B at Mafura Square, a township in the Free State.

Read more: Teacher opens township B&B

Ian Dlamini's childhood dream was to become an accountant. Little did he know that he would spend fifteen years of his life in jail. Born in Central Western Jabavu, Soweto, Ian and his siblings were raised by their grandmother. His mother got married and moved to Thokoza when Ian was just fourteen.

Read more: Former Offender Transforms into an Over-achiever

Nhlanhla Masuku counts himself lucky. Unlike thousands of unemployed young people in his township, Masuku wakes up every morning not to sit around the street corners all day doing nothing Ð he has a job to go to. This is all thanks to the Jobs and Opportunities Seekers' Database (JOBS) which successfully linked him with an employment opportunity.

Read more: UYF Helps Youth Secure Employment

Maria Segonyela (54) has partnered with nine other people to produce Sunshine Meal Mealie Meal. ÒIt all started at a conference in De Aar that I was attending. They spoke about allocating money for local economic development and urged us to explore self-employment”, Segonyela explained.

Read more: Entrepreneurs' Maize-meal on Par with the Best