Do not chase after money!
If you first empower yourself with the right skills, money will chase after you!
Diamond Manala, chairman at Total Change Co-operative, said this when he addressed youth at the launch of a skills training project, LBS Asphalt.
Three South African organisations – Road Material Stabilisers, the South African Foundation For Empowerment Training and Innovation, and Total Change Co-operatives – joined forces to create a project to fast track transformation in the road and maintenance sector.
LBS Asphalt was launched in the heart of Soshanguve, north of Tshwane, and is currently operating at full swing. It is training 23 members, all from Soshanguve, aged between 20 and 30 years, divided between seven co-operatives, on how to mix and lay cold asphalt. The project managers said they worked with community structures such as the South African National Civic Organisation to identify youth for the programme.
The training is based on some theory but lots of practice, and it runs for three weeks.
When they complete the programme, the trainees will get certificates of attendance.
Project co-ordinator Themba Nthite said the project equips young people with skills they can use to empower themselves.
“They will know how to build sidewalks, make speed humps and properly do road repairs and maintenance.”
One trainee, Nokuthula Ngwenya (24), an unemployed mother of a daughter, told SunMoney: “I would stay at home and do nothing but right now, I wake up full of energy. I have a chance at a better future since becoming part of this project.”
Another trainee, Otis Gana (38), said: “It is like the moment I was waiting for finally arrived.
“I’m simply excited to be part of this project and I’m grateful for the opportunities it has given me.”
