NOZIZWE Mabena's life took a good turn after she was recruited by the NPO Unemployed Need Transformation (UNT) to enter the high-growth hair and beauty industry as a trainee.
Nozizwe, from Alexandra, east of Joburg, told Daily Sun on Friday, 12 April, in Sandton, Joburg, that she is happy to be finally making ends meet using her own hands.
"The project started in February. The group of 20 young unemployed girls was encouraged by our parents, uncles, etc, who are military veterans. At the moment, we're learning how to do hair," Nozizwe said.
She said the group will later learn how to do eyelashes and nails.
"We're going to do beauty, which includes eyelashes and nails. It's beneficial because we're learning different skills that other girls don't have. Now, we're earning a living because some of the girls get clients and get paid."
Nozizwe said that training is conducted at a local church in Alex.
She hopes to one day open a salon of her own in neighbouring Sandton.
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UNT chairman Shaun Unterslak said the plan is to set up a gazebo on the doorsteps of the Joburg Stock Exchange to highlight the plight of the unemployed youths ekasi.
"This will remind the wealthy and business owners how disadvantaged kasi residents lack facilities to operate businesses. Easy when you have access to finance and can sign a lease in an upmarket mall," Shaun said.
Shaun has been helping young people in Soweto and has since extended his services to other parts of the province.
"Since 1985, I've never left ikasi. In 2002, I've realised that hair and beauty were going to impact the emerging black middle class, so I started training in 2003. One of the students I trained in Hillbrow, Joburg, now earns R18 000 a month working in a five-star hotel here in Sandton," he said.
Linda Twala, who has been dubbed Alexandra's father, said it thrills him to see young people's lives change for the better.
"I was born and bred in Alex. I'm excited to see people who have the interest of the people at heart and making sure we get jobs and create working opportunities in Alexandra," he said.
Former North West premier Job Mokgoro said he was also lending a helping hand in the fight against youth unemployment.
"You have more than 60% unemployed youths, which is quite sad. When I was premier, one of my priorities was youth development and fighting youth unemployment, which became worse during Covid-19 and has not recovered. Hence, I thought I should join this initiative," Mokgoro said.
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