South Africa

Passion, curiosity and the right resources power business brilliance among YES Top 35 Under 35

Kgaugelo Neville Ngomane. (Photo: Supplied)

18 Sep 2024

The Youth Employment Service is delighted to announce the inaugural YES Top 35 Under 35 Awards, proudly presented by Daily Maverick.

Humbulani Moeketsi: Founder of a media house

Humbulani Moeketsi’s journey from media intern to the founder of Mbono Media House is a testament to his passion for storytelling and communication.

Fresh out of college, Moeketsi entered the media industry with enthusiasm.

Read more: Explore the complete “35 Under 35” hub on Daily Maverick

He started as an intern at a local television station, where he learnt the ins and outs of production.

His entrepreneurial ambitions eventually led him to take the leap and found his own media start-up, Mbono Media House.

However, it was when he joined Ctrack Fleet Management Solutions’ YES programme that Moeketsi’s life underwent a remarkable transformation.

Professionally, the programme gave him access to invaluable resources such as mentorship. Personally, it boosted his confidence and resilience. His company expanded through strategic partnerships, diversified offerings and thought leadership opportunities.

Mbono Media House in Johannesburg is a growing business solutions provider, radio station, television and news site company.

As a young business owner, Moeketsi had to navigate many challenges. These included establishing credibility, managing finances, understanding legal requirements and balancing work-life demands.

He overcame these obstacles by prioritising quality, careful financial planning, seeking expert advice and practising self-care while staying resilient and proactive.

The YES programme equipped him with the skills and support needed to manage these while emphasising the benefits of collaboration, innovation and resilience in building a successful business.

The job opportunities created by Mbono Media House have brought stability, skills development and a sense of purpose to the lives of Moeketsi’s employees. They gain financial security, opportunities for growth and a supportive work environment.

Karabo Mtsweni: Process engineer

Karabo Mtsweni’s path into the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) began with a curious mind and a seventh-grade technology project. Trying to build a stadium without any engineering or architectural knowledge sparked her interest in understanding intricate connections. This curiosity fuelled her passion for STEM, further encouraged by a high school excursion to a science centre in Johannesburg.

In 2022, she graduated with a BEng Tech degree, ready to tackle the minerals and manufacturing industry.

Her journey with the YES programme began when she joined Adient PPC as a quality assurance intern.

Since completing the YES programme, Mtsweni has joined the engineering team as a process engineer. She has been involved in exciting new projects and jig designs, contributing significantly to process optimisation and cost reduction.

Read more: Explore the complete “35 Under 35” hub on Daily Maverick

One of her notable achievements was optimising the grease application process on an assembly line, which improved product quality and reduced costs.

Mtsweni supports and optimises plant performance and customer requirements through effective production, engineering and distribution of resources and projects.

This exposure has given her a broad perspective on the automotive industry and the numerous opportunities it offers.

Being part of the YES programme prepared Mtsweni for the professional world. Regular check-ins and one-on-one meetings with her training officer helped her to navigate a number of challenges.

Mtsweni’s story underscores the importance of continuous learning, resilience and the opportunities provided by structured support systems, such as those offered by YES, in achieving success in the STEM and manufacturing industries.

Kgothatso Kgafela: Finance administrator

Kgothatso Kgafela is a great example of how a financial management student can become an award-winning professional thanks to having access to the right resources.

While studying at the Central Johannesburg TVET College, Kgafela initially secured an internship before the onset of Covid-19. Unfortunately, the outbreak of the pandemic resulted in his contract being terminated. Seeking a new opportunity, he applied to the YES programme and got a job at Saint-Gobain Africa.

The YES programme marked a significant turning point in Kgafela’s life, giving him financial stability and support through its innovative e-learning modules.

Kgafela, who is in his dream job in management accounting at Saint-Gobain Africa, has embraced every moment of his new role. His exceptional performance has earned him two prestigious awards from the CFO and CEO. Moreover, the company has fully funded his pursuit of a Chartered Institute of Management Accountants qualification to further enable him to grow in his career.

Read more: Explore the complete “35 Under 35” hub on Daily Maverick

Kgafela acknowledges that the challenges were initially overwhelming at times, but YES gave him the tools to seek help from his team and gain a new perspective on life.

YES has played a vital role in his development, teaching him how to cope with work stress and excel as a team player.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Kgafela is part of an a cappella group called Gwijo Avenue. The group, now registered as a company, has seen significant growth in their fan base, earning income from gigs and their YouTube channel.

Kgafela’s story highlights how the YES programme can transform a person’s life by providing them with the will to continuously learn and be a team player. His journey from a student facing unemployment to a confident, award-winning professional exemplifies how structured support and opportunities can lead to remarkable growth.

YES Kgaugelo Neville Ngomane. (Photo: Supplied)

Kgaugelo Ngomane: Founder of a media company

Kgaugelo Ngomane’s journey to success began in high school, where he was trained in photography by Wild Shots Outreach.

During a gap year after completing high school, he was involved in several part-time jobs while volunteering at a local school.

However, he wanted to find alternative ways of gaining new skills while being exposed to different career paths.

Ngomane turned to the YES programme, sponsored by the SAS Institute and hosted by YES implementation partner Conservation South Africa.

The immersive learning experience provided by the programme gave him more clarity on the direction he wanted to take and had a massive impact on both his professional and personal development.

Read more: Explore the complete “35 Under 35” hub on Daily Maverick

After completing the YES programme, he went on to win the Young Environmental Photographer of the Year award in the international Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management’s photography competition in 2019. Academically, he read for a bachelor’s degree in motion picture from Afda, specialising in cinematography, data management and colour grading. Using the skills he gained from YES, he founded his media consultation and production company, ColorDrop Productions.

As a young business owner, Ngomane faced several challenges in getting the company up and running. His persistence, adaptability and commitment to his vision enabled him to overcome them and build a thriving media house. Ngomane now lives, works and exhibits in Hong Kong, travelling between South Africa and China for his business.

By fostering an environment in which people can pursue their passions, Ngomane has empowered his employees and created a strong sense of family in the business.

His journey from a gap-year student to the founder of a successful media company highlights the transformative power of YES. Now, through ColorDrop Productions, he continues to inspire and empower those around him.

Kgothatso Mahlaku: Marketing coordinator

Kgothatso Mahlaku joined the YES programme early in 2021 during the pandemic recovery period. This provided the struggling entrepreneur with the means to become a thriving professional.

The YES programme gave him the unique opportunity to connect with talented peers, gain valuable knowledge and skills, and secure funding for his business, First Visuals Productions.

Before YES, Mahlaku faced challenges running his photo and video production company, but the programme allowed him to take his business to the next level.

It enabled him to buy more equipment, hire part-time staff for gigs, and provide mentoring and training. He also gained in-service training at a marketing and events agency.

This experience, combined with his marketing studies, allowed Mahlaku to delve into sales and business development, enhancing his skill set.

In 2023, he secured a permanent position at a cloud solutions provider, starting as a consultant and quickly being promoted to marketing coordinator within 10 months.

Mahlaku is also pursuing a BCom degree in project management, balancing full-time employment, part-time business ownership and his studies. His role allows him to engage in all aspects of his creative passions.

Read more: Explore the complete “35 Under 35” hub on Daily Maverick

His side-hustle, First Visuals Productions, continues to thrive.

He works on events such as birthday celebrations, corporate events, NGO giveaways and modelling portfolios.

The YES programme equipped Mahlaku with essential business skills and highlighted the competitive nature of both the corporate and entrepreneurial worlds.

His journey showcases the impact of structured support and opportunities in achieving professional growth and personal fulfilment. DM

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