By Yoliswa Hlatshwayo
BUSHBUCKRIDGE – With the coronavirus pandemic and other societal issues affecting the country, many people, including young people remain unemployed.
Katekani Mbowane from Lilydale who recently returned from the United States of America after participating in a skills development programme, believes the youth can beat unemployment, if they take ownership for the future.
The Community College Initiative (CCI) is a U. S. Department of State exchange program for technical and vocational students from South Africa, is where
Mbowane’s leadership, personal development and community engagement skills were polished.
“Throughout my time in the United States, I have managed to achieve outstanding results. My aim is to give back to my community by assisting young people through an organization that I will soon be running.
The youth unemployment rate is high and with the current situation, more jobs are at risk,” he said.
The Social Sciences graduate told Mpumalanga Mirror about his partnership with Noma Gigaba Foundation, which strongly focuses on helping young people unfold their potential by addressing the imbalance of education in rural areas.
“We plan to begin by providing career advice and guidance, as well as ways to start a business for them to sustain themselves considering the South Africa’s economic state.
“My wish is to renovate three schools around Bushbuckridge as a way of giving back to the community and showing gratitude to my parents.
They are both teachers who instilled the importance of education and taking ownership for my future. If they could do it for me, I can do the same for others,” he said.
