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YES programme — a critically important stepping stone with the power to transform lives and careers

YES programme — a critically important stepping stone with the power to transform lives and careers
Policy and strategy evaluator Moipone Masha. (Photo: Supplied)
Daily Maverick
By Daily Maverick
18 Sep 2024
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The Youth Employment Service is delighted to announce the inaugural YES Top 35 Under 35 Awards, proudly presented by Daily Maverick.

Luthabile Mbotshelwa: Media entrepreneur


Luthabile Mbotshelwa has shown how important it is to be adaptable and determined when it comes to an individual’s professional journey. He has come a long way – from studying engineering to founding a multimedia marketing and advertising company.

After matriculating from Greenpoint Secondary School in East London in 2018, Mbotshelwa pursued electrical engineering at the Port Elizabeth TVET College. In 2022, he applied for the YES programme and worked at Isuzu. The programme gave him practical experience in his field of study.

The modules also helped him to crystallise his career aspirations. This led him to save enough money to refinance his business, LPH South Africa, a multimedia marketing and advertising company specialising in brand advertising and digital marketing. Today, Mbotshelwa is focused on growing his business, portfolio and qualifications while also serving as a radio presenter on Ekse Community Radio.

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

LPH South Africa was born out of Mbotshelwa’s realisation that opportunities for voice-over artists were limited. He learnt to produce quality advertisements and soon started the business. The brand aims to be versatile and unconventional in its approach to marketing and advertising.

Mbotshelwa faced several challenges in his entrepreneurial journey. One major hurdle was the scepticism of potential clients about working with young individuals. He discovered that building a deep connection with clients and demonstrating the passion his company has for their business helped to overcome this barrier.

The YES programme taught Mbotshelwa the importance of stepping out of his comfort zone and embracing continuous learning. This mindset shift, coupled with a positive and productive outlook, has been the cornerstone of his success. He is proud to lead a dedicated team that believes in the vision and mission of LPH South Africa.

Mbotshelwa’s story illustrates the transformative power of the YES programme to equip learners with the ability to adapt to new opportunities.

Operations manager Lawrence Mphepo. (Photo: Supplied)


Lawrence Mphepo: Operations manager


The YES programme was a critically important stepping stone in helping Lawrence Mphepo become the man he is today.

Studying for a BCom in business and marketing, Mphepo faced financial challenges that prevented him from finishing his education. To make ends meet, he took on promotional jobs until his partner introduced him to the YES programme. This would prove to be a pivotal moment that gave him a foothold in the corporate world.

The YES programme provided Mphepo with invaluable skills and experience, teaching him how to engage with diverse people and instilling a sense of pride and belonging. It also enabled him to help his family financially and gave him the confidence to pursue a professional career.

In 2021, Mphepo joined a brand activation and experiential marketing company as a promoter supervisor for the East Rand region. The following year, he moved to a business and engineering solutions organisation as an operations controller on a contract. Seven months later, he signed a permanent contract and, within eight months, was promoted to operations manager, a position he holds today.

As an operations manager, he is responsible for maintaining good relationships between clients and the company and ensuring that employees at client sites follow government regulations. His role also involves working with the business to expand its recruitment drives.

The YES programme taught Mphepo essential communication skills, but the most significant lesson was emotional intelligence in the workplace. This skill has been crucial in his line of work, where he interacts with various people daily.

The transformation of Mphepo shows the positive impact the YES programme can have in providing opportunities for young professionals to develop their skills and succeed in their careers.

His story highlights the importance of resilience, continuous learning and the support of structured programmes in achieving professional and personal growth.

Video and media content creator Madibaneng Sekonya. (Photo: Supplied)


Madibaneng Sekonya: Video and media content creator


Madibaneng Sekonya graduated from City Varsity in 2019 with a diploma in film and tele­vision production. Initially finding it difficult to secure a job as a film director, Sekonya worked as a freelance videographer.

In 2020, he re-registered his business, Authentic Media South Africa, and began focusing on short-format content and music videos. Despite building a name for himself, it was difficult to ensure financial stability.

The turning point came in 2021 when Sekonya joined the YES programme.

This opportunity introduced him to funding prospects and larger projects, allowing him to work with some of South Africa’s biggest brands and influencers. He transitioned from freelance videography to collaborating with notable South African musical artists and renowned international and national brands.

In 2023, Sekonya received the Tilt Rockstar of the Year award.

Sekonya’s business, Authentic Media, is based in Johannesburg. Today, it produces videos in multiple genres, including music videos, corporate videos, training videos, advertisements and content for social media and television.

Despite facing a challenging period in 2020, Sekonya took control of his fate, using his savings to buy essential equipment and revive his business.

By 2022, rising sales and cash flow, and the skills he gained from YES enabled him to get funding for Authentic from the National Youth Development Agency. His portfolio includes YES testimonials, CEO testimonial videos and corporate social responsibility projects in Soweto, aiding youth businesses in marketing their products.

Though the film industry in South Africa faces challenges, Sekonya has pivoted to focus on producing short-format content for social media.

He hopes for a future boost in the industry, with more youth projects and productions being funded.

The YES programme gave Sekonya the insights he needed into the creative industry and its business aspects.

Policy and strategy evaluator Moipone Masha. (Photo: Supplied)


Moipone Masha: Policy and strategy evaluator


Before joining the YES programme, Moipone Masha faced months of unemployment after tutoring part time at the University of Johannesburg. The programme became a key turning point for her, providing invaluable skills that made her highly employable.

After completing the YES programme, Masha was offered a position at Letsema Consulting as a business analyst. This opportunity was followed by another role at a government department. In her current position, Masha focuses on stakeholder engagement processes involving small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and other organisations.

Masha’s primary responsibility is to conduct thorough research on factors that have an impact on the entry and growth of SMMEs. She actively contributes to formulating and evaluating policies and strategies aligned with the localisation framework and other initiatives aimed at improving market access for SMMEs.

By collaborating with different business units in the department and various private sector players, Masha supports initiatives that encourage the inclusion of SMME-manufactured products in the offerings of local retailers and wholesalers.

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

Drawing on lessons learned at Letsema, Masha proactively approached her line managers and engaged in conversations that ensured her inclusion in work promoting her growth.

Her experience at the YES programme closely mirrored the real work environment, preparing her to understand and integrate into the organisations she has worked for.

Beyond her professional career, Masha is again a private tutor for university and high school students.

She teaches various subjects, from economics and business studies to language and maths literacy, showing her dedication to education and empowerment.

Her journey highlights the transformative impact of the YES programme, demonstrating the importance of professional development, proactive engagement and continuous learning in achieving career success. DM

 

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