Celebrating the youth that are making a difference in our communities
Mashudu Ndou, Vice President and Head: Community and Corporate Affairs says, “Our intention as a brand is to be inclusive and relevant. We truly believe our contribution to the youth of South Africa has a rippling effect that lives on. Indeed Sasol is very honoured to have an opportunity to develop and empower the leaders of tomorrow. We continue to look out for impactful programmes that positively impact our people in the communities we operate.”
Improving Access to Opportunities through Youth Development Centres
Improving access to opportunities through resourcing of Youth Development Centres is one of the avenues Sasol is pursuing towards promoting economic participation amongst the youth. Sasol has invested R2. 5 million this financial year resourcing Youth Development Centres (YDC) in Mpumalanga. Eight of these centres are in Nkomazi Municipality and three in the Emalahleni Municipality. Some of the Youth Development Centres donated by Sasol are Kuyenzeka (YDC) in Klarinet and Sizimisele (YDC) located in Phola Township at Ogies in eMalahleni. Furthermore Sasol renovated Ezweni (YDC ) at KwaGuqa near Ezinambeni in Emalahleni. Sasol recognises that the Youth needs to take an active role in global economies, an objective that can be realised through access to information, technology and infrastructure where they reside. Youth deserves constructive spaces where employment programmes can thrive and they can be equipped with useful life and business skills to navigate job market. In the past five years Sasol has built 36 Youth Centres around Gert Sibande District.
Embalenhle Girls Electrical and Grass Cutting Project Keeping Secunda Clean
Thembi Khoza (33) is currently the Director of the Embalenhle Girls Electrical and Grass Cutting & Projects (Pty) Ltd established in 2016. The company employs 14 full-time employees and 16 non permanent employees. Due to Covid -19 the company had to downscale from 55 to 30 employees. Their main focus is landscaping, grass cutting, vegetation management, environmental rehabilitation and gardening services. Thembi’s company is one of the SMME that was equipped with business management skills as part of Sasol’s Enterprise Supplier Development (ESD) programme. Thembi said: “We received an interim business opportunity from Sasol Ikusasa, where we are currently cleaning Zone 6 and 7, Extension 22 and 23, Sunset Park, the Secunda Stadium, the Sasol Marathon Route, the Sasol Club and the Sasol Embalenhle hostel. We even clean some of Embalenhle schools on an ad hoc basis. We hope the business picks ups so we can bring back our colleagues we had to let go.”
Training SMME’s on SAP ARIBA platforms
When Nomalanga Makwe’s (35) employment contract came to an end she decided to start her own company, Mosholu Consulting Company. Her company was established in 2020 and provides training on SAP ARIBA, which allows suppliers and buyers to connect and do business on a single platform. Mosholu Consulting offers support on access application processes such as: Supplier Pre-Qualification, Supplier Information Management and presenting Online sourcing training session. Nomalanga was also offered an opportunity by the Sasol ESD programme to train SMME’s about the platform. “I have so much respect for entrepreneurs because it takes a lot to maintain and run a business. I would like to encourage young people and learners still at school to take their time when deciding to start a business and don’t rush there’s no race. Focus is probably more important than anything else. Also, there will never be a perfect time to start your business, start with the little that you have.” Says Nomalanga Makwe
320 Youth in Agriculture | Sasol Farmers Development Programme
Amos Mathebula (34) and Gugu Shange (31) are the proud owners of Too Fresh Produce Farm based in Morgezon, close to Ermelo, as part of the Lekwa Municipality. This duo is now supplying their fresh produce to the local Shoprite and other supermarkets in the Morgenzon area. Their business focuses on the production of cabbages, spinach, beetroot and jalapeno peppers. The turning point for them began in 2019 when they took part in Sasol’s Farmers Development Programme, an initiative implemented in partnership with Buhle Farmers Academy and African Farmers Association of South Africa (AFASA). Lindokuhle Sikhonde (26) is also an emerging farmer who graduated this year in poultry farming, she is based in Secunda. Lindokuhle is the proud owner of Ndalo-Enhle Poultry, established in 2019 she started with few hens and then sells the eggs to the community at a cheaper price. She says “When I saw the advert in the Secunda newspaper, the Ridge Times, calling emerging farmers to participate in Sasol’s Farmers Development Programme I grabbed the opportunity, applied and luckily I was selected. The programme did not just teach me how to grow a chicken from a day old chick, but it also taught me how to do marketing. I learned what the business of farming is, in order for my business to grow I need to be profitable. Sasol is very proud of this successful five year partnership that has empowered 320 farmers in various farming disciplines from the Gert Sibande Municipality. In the past three years Sasol has invested R3. 4 million in the programme.
Mabhodla Electrical Constructors | Youth in Construction
Mabhodla Electrical Constructors (MEC) is a construction company based in Secunda, established in 2016 by Robert Mbuyazi (34) who has years of experience in the construction
industry. The company focuses on large-and small-scale projects in Electrical, Control and
Instrumentation, Construction, Contracting and Maintenance Solutions. Robert says: “Through Sasol ESD Programme I was equipped with knowledge to manage my company’s financials, resources and projects more efficiently. The programme identified a gap in our
operations and we were supported with funding for tools and equipment and, safety and quality management systems.” Sasol has opened their doors to SMMEs who are part of the programme to utilise the ESD offices and amenities. This has provided a conducive space
to execute administrative duties. “My future goal is to expand the business across Mpumalanga Province and employ more people.” Currently Mabhodla Electrical constructors employs four full time employees and five part time employees.
WOMECH Mechanical Works Specialists
Twin sisters Dineo and Keneuwe Glomane are the proud owners of Womech Mechanical, an automobile repair and maintenance company dealing with major and minor repairs, engine and gearbox overhauls, diagnostic and electrical repairs, upholstery and vehicle accessories for all makes of automobiles. Dineo and Keneuwe both studied mechanical engineering at college. In 2017 the twins decided to open their own workshop in Secunda creating employment opportunities. Dineo says: “ The Sasol ESD programme assisted us with workshop equipment, marketing, branding and ensuring that management got entrepreneurial training. We also received costing, budgeting and business management training via different institutions.” The ESD programme assisted Womech with health and safety, financial systems suitable for their business and with a website. Keneuwe says, “Nothing comes easy in life, have a dream, see it, feel it and push to get it. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. We see ourselves opening our own training centre assisting our community, we also see many more departments being opened in our workshop like a tyre and wheel alignment fitment centre, engineering workshop and panel beating workshop.”
