Young heroes earn their stripes
Six local youngsters were taken under the wings of the Randfontein Superspar.
Six Randfontein youths have been given a new lease on life by Randfontein Superspar, as they have completed the three-month internship programme offered by the supermarket.
Today, Phodiso Aphane, Luckyboy Mokaila, Masego Matlapeng, Puseletso Kgatla, Frankenstein Mosu Molete and Lucky Cedric Ralithaga are determined to shape their own destinies with the help of Riaz and Safura Dawood, the owners of Randfontein Superspar.
In November last year, Superspar decided to make a difference in the lives of the youth of Randfontein with the assistance of Spar South Rand, and started the internship programme.
Safura said, “South Africa has a 48 per cent unemployment rate. It is important that we help the youth to empower themselves to improve their lives. Most of the kids in this area come from homes where there are no parents or guardians. Kids are living alone, trying to earn money to build or rent a shack, or they are being taken care of by a grandmother.
“We wanted to help these kids to gain work experience in order for them to get jobs. They cannot possibly get jobs if they lack work experience.”
She went on to say that although the internship was a pilot project, she was glad that it was a success.
“If we had the finances to do this going forward, we would love to run more internships, especially in this community, because there are many homes with only one parent, or none at all, which might lead to youngsters dropping out of school.
“Many of those who have matriculated have resorted to drugs as they are unable to find employment, and there is a huge need to get them off the streets. We would love to tackle the issue, but with the involvement of social workers,” Safura added.
