Preparing young men for the real world
Having a degree doesn't guarantee you a job anymore.
Add to that the high unemployment rate and struggling economy, and the future looks bleak for many young people. Tracy le Roux from the Boithuto Community Project said the youth are not prepared for the real world and that there has never been a more important time than now to teach entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
“Shalam Jackson and Robert Mtshali started a programme where they aim to help individuals to start micro-enterprises and create awareness of entrepreneurship as a career. This is a tailor-made mentorship programme for young men in Jackson informal settlement,” she said.
Le Roux mentioned the programme runs every second Saturday of the month and at the moment they are focusing on young men.
“This mentorship will take three months to complete and in future we will also have a similar programme for women. “We want to prepare them to sustain themselves if they want to venture into businesses. The reality of our country is that it can take you months, sometimes years before you will find employment. This programme is to help you to start something that will put bread on the table.”
They kindly ask for a donation to their organisation so they can help more young men make a difference in their own lives and, in turn, that of their community and families.
“If companies are interested in job shadowing, they are more than welcome to contact us. There are only five men in the programme now and things are looking good for them,” she concluded.
To join the mentorship programme contact Tracey le Roux on 082 931 7452.
