Yes Top 35 under 35

Employees

Anele Sinethemba Fairhope Sibamba

Commodity Buyer, Discovery Limited

Anele Sibamba turns a first opportunity into a procurement career

When Anele Sibamba received a call about a Youth Employment Service (YES) programme opportunity in 2023, she had a Diploma in Transportation Management and was completing an Advanced Diploma at the University of Johannesburg without financial aid. What she did not have was work experience, as most roles she applied for wanted exactly that.

YES gave her the opening she needed. Anele joined Barron as an Aftersale Clerk, gaining hands-on experience in logistics operations, reverse supply chains, and customer service. It was her first real exposure to the corporate and warehousing environment and helped her see where she wanted to take her career.

“The YES programme did not just give me experience, it gave me direction, confidence, and a foundation to build a purposeful career,” she says.

After YES, Anele moved to McDonald’s South Africa in a supply chain and procurement internship, supporting sourcing and operations across more than 400 restaurants. She worked with suppliers and helped keep stock available across a large network. Her next move took her to Discovery Limited, where she now works as a Commodity Buyer.

At Discovery, Anele supports group procurement across six business units, mainly within the marketing portfolio. She runs sourcing processes, engages suppliers, checks contract compliance, and contributes to cost-saving initiatives. Her work also includes sourcing for corporate social investment projects and supporting the inclusion of SMMEs and B-BBEE suppliers.

Alongside her career progression, Anele completed a BCom Honours in Supply Chain Management and was recognised as a Top Academic Achiever. She was also selected for programmes including the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport International Mentorship Masterclass, Clover Luminary mentorship programme, AWS She Builds, and McKinsey Forward.

Anele now uses her experience to mentor young women at university and guide those entering the workplace. She is also able to support her family and be an example to her younger sister. From struggling to enter the job market, she has built a career in procurement while helping others find their own way in.

Entrepreneurs

Aphiwokuhle Moyo

Founder & Director, Behindthelens

Aphiwokuhle Moyo grows a creative business around storytelling and skills

Aphiwokuhle Moyo had already started building a career around photography and storytelling before joining YES. Through Behindthelens SA, she photographed weddings, traditional ceremonies, birthdays, and corporate events, while using her marketing and content creation skills to grow the business.

Aphiwokuhle also began sharing what she knew through photography and videography workshops for young people in her community. The sessions introduced participants to camera work, content creation, and the basics of working in digital media.

Her YES opportunity came through JCDecaux South Africa, with a placement at the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She joined as an Intern and Emerging Arts Manager. The experience gave her more structure and strengthened her approach to clients, deadlines, teamwork, and professional responsibilities.

“The programme also helped me develop confidence in my abilities and decision-making,” she says.

Since completing YES in 2023, Aphiwokuhle has continued to grow Behindthelens SA. The business now offers photography and videography for a wider range of events, as well as canvases and custom photo albums. She has also continued to develop workshops to provide young creatives with practical skills and a clearer view of opportunities in the industry.

Not having a dedicated studio has been one of her biggest challenges. Aphiwokuhle has worked around it by collaborating with local businesses and venue owners for shoots, workshops, and training sessions. She has also reinvested business income into equipment as the company has grown.

Behindthelens SA currently employs between four and seven people across its projects and workshops. They work as assistants, facilitators, and creatives, gaining experience in photography, videography, client work, and event coverage while earning an income.

Aphiwokuhle also sees value in documenting the kinds of events that often carry strong family and cultural meaning. Weddings, traditional ceremonies, and community gatherings remain a big part of the work, alongside the workshops she runs for young creatives.

From a single camera and a passion for storytelling, Aphiwokuhle has built a business that now creates work and opportunities for others. She plans to keep growing both sides of it, so more young creatives in her community get the kind of practical start that helped shape her own path into the industry.

Employees

Ayanda Samantha Tinyane

PR & Brand Coordinator, BAIC South Africa

Ayanda Tinyane builds a career in automotive marketing

Before joining YES, Ayanda Tinyane was taking on occasional photography and makeup work while trying to find stable employment. The job market was difficult, but she already knew she wanted to work in the automotive industry.

Her first corporate opportunity came through the YES programme. Sponsored by Volkswagen Group Africa and hosted by Volkswagen-Audi South Africa, Ayanda joined as a Junior Brand Dealer Consultant - Marketing Intern. The role gave her hands-on exposure to automotive marketing and a workplace where she could learn from experienced colleagues.

“It marked my introduction to the corporate world and the automotive industry, something I had always been passionate about,” she says.

Ayanda made the most of that start. She became one of the first YES interns to publish an article on Audi South Africa’s website, covering the Show of Hands corporate social responsibility initiative. She also contributed articles to Volkswagen South Africa’s Fanfare Magazine. Her work included helping maintain Corporate Identity standards across 36 Audi dealerships.

She has since moved to BAIC South Africa, where she works as a PR & Brand Coordinator. Ayanda supports marketing activity across more than 50 dealers, manages marketing claims and media fleet operations, works with suppliers and agencies, and helps coordinate major events. She was also closely involved in planning and executing the BAIC B30 launch in less than two months.

The move has given Ayanda broader experience in PR, dealer marketing, stakeholder management, and brand communications. She says the confidence she began building during YES has helped her speak up, take initiative, and work more comfortably with experienced colleagues and external partners.

Outside her full-time role, Ayanda helps clients improve their CVs and LinkedIn profiles, and also offers profile photography and makeup services. It brings together skills she had before YES with the professional experience she has built since, while helping other people present themselves more confidently when looking for work.

Entrepreneurs

Atang Justice Ramabele

Founder, Morumotsho Charcoal Production

Atang Justice Ramabele turns invasive wattle into rural opportunity

Moving between Matatiele in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng throughout his childhood taught Atang Ramabele to adapt quickly. His early career followed an equally varied path, from IT and Cisco networking studies to part-time stocktaking work and Microsoft server training.

A return to Matatiele in 2018 eventually changed his direction. During a 2019 internship with Environmental and Rural Solutions, Atang worked on projects clearing invasive wattle and saw how the biomass could be turned into charcoal. He also helped supervise 50 people across five teams. The experience showed him that an environmental problem could also create work in rural communities, and in 2020 he established Morumotsho Charcoal Production.

His business journey later became part of his YES experience. Sponsored by Ford South Africa, Atang participated in the programme through The Hill Trading Industry T/A Morumotsho Charcoal Production, where he served as a Kiln Operator and Herbicide Applicator. He says YES helped him gain further work experience, strengthen his technical skills, and develop qualities such as decision-making, adaptability, and diligence.

Today, Morumotsho clears alien and invasive black and silver wattle, using the biomass to produce green artisanal charcoal. The business also offers ecosystem services linked to clearing invaded land. Atang says YES helped him build networks, explore new ways of working, and diversify the business’s revenue streams.

Since completing the programme, he has continued developing his business skills through several entrepreneurship and sustainability programmes. These include the Avocado Vision Green Business Acumen Training Incubator, Fetola’s Circular Economy Accelerator in 2023, and the Land Accelerator Africa Top 100 programme in 2024. In 2025, he also completed an International Training Centre of the ILO (International Labour Organization) programme focused on just energy transition.

Morumotsho currently employs between eight and 10 people and has created income opportunities in rural communities around Matatiele. For Atang, the business links environmental restoration with local employment, giving invasive wattle a second use while creating economic activity in the area.

Employees

Banthatile Tselana

Junior Business Analyst, Discovery Limited

Banthatile Tselana turns an entry point in IT into a business analysis career

Before joining YES, Banthatile Tselana had already learned to create opportunities where she could. She worked as an Impact Facilitator at Sunshine Cinema, using film and community discussions to engage people on issues including education, parenthood, and gender-based violence. While looking for formal employment, she also started a small baking business with her mother, selling baked goods at a bus stop each morning.

Her move into the corporate world came through YES. Sponosred by Siemens Healthcare and hosted by Siemens Healthineers, Banthatile joined as a Junior IT Professional and worked in a customer-facing environment where she handled queries and supported operational processes. The experience gave her a stronger understanding of how teams, systems, and service delivery fit together.

Her work during the programme earned her a Customer Service Ownership award and a Trainee of the Year certificate. Banthatile says YES also taught her to take greater ownership of her performance and become more deliberate about the direction of her career.

After YES, she decided to move into business analysis. Breaking into the field without direct experience proved difficult, so she completed short courses and accepted the opportunity to start again as an intern. “I realised that long term growth required building the right foundation rather than forcing immediate progression,” she says. She joined Discovery Limited as a Business Analyst Intern and was promoted to Junior Business Analyst within 10 months.

Today, Banthatile works in Discovery Health’s Admin and Billing team. She manages queries involving policy and member information, uses tools including PL/SQL, Jira, Confluence, and Paradigm, and works with senior analysts and developers on system and data changes. She is also involved in tax certificate template management for members.

Her influence extends beyond her day job. Banthatile shares career, technology, and personal branding content on LinkedIn to support graduates, early-career professionals, and jobseekers. She has spoken at a Comms Struck webinar, was selected as a brand ambassador for The Next Move Chair, and is currently ranked by Favikon among the top 10 female LinkedIn creators in South Africa.

Entrepreneurs

Bonga Madlala

Founder, Kick Fix Shoe Laundry

Bonga Madlala grows from YES analyst to fintech leader and entrepreneur

Bonga Madlala began his professional career through the YES programme in January 2020. Sponsored and hosted by Monocle Solutions, he joined as a Business Analyst and spent the year learning how to work in a structured corporate environment, engage with clients, and take responsibility for his work.

The opportunity became much more than a year of experience. Monocle Solutions retained Bonga when he completed YES, and he continued building his career at the firm. He progressed from Analyst to Consultant, Manager, and eventually Senior Manager, developing his experience in consulting, client management, and business strategy along the way.

Bonga says YES also gave him the confidence to think beyond employment. That became important when a recurring frustration sparked an idea of his own. Living in the East Rand, he was travelling to Sandton whenever he wanted his shoes professionally cleaned. Seeing a gap for the same service closer to home, he launched Kick Fix Shoe Laundry.

The business now has two profitable branches in Farrarmere and Northmead in Benoni. Bonga built the operation around professional shoe cleaning and care, with plans to grow the brand further across Gauteng and eventually South Africa. The two branches currently employ four people.

His corporate career has continued alongside the business. In December 2025, Bonga left Monocle Solutions to join global financial technology company FIS as an Engagement Manager. He now oversees the implementation of a commercial lending solution, working on complex projects and client relationships in the fintech sector.

Running a business while maintaining a demanding corporate career has required Bonga to build reliable teams and become disciplined about how he uses his time. For his employees, Kick Fix provides a stable source of income close to home. For Bonga, it has also proved that an idea born from an everyday inconvenience can grow into a business with two branches and ambitions well beyond the East Rand.

Employees

Chevon Fabian Mia

Regional Order Management Lead, Epiroc South Africa

Chevon Mia turns a YES internship into a management career.

Chevon Mia was still a student at Rhodes University when he began building the work ethic that would later shape his career. He worked as a waiter and bartender, coached soccer, and served as a house leader in his university residence. Coming from Johannesburg, he had worked hard to reach university through a bursary.

His first major step into the corporate world came through the YES programme. Sponsored and hosted by Epiroc South Africa, Chevon joined as a SHEQ Intern. The opportunity gave him practical experience in a working environment and a clearer sense of what would be expected of him professionally.

“It gave me a lot of knowledge of what to expect in the working world and how to manoeuvre,” he says.

Chevon stayed with Epiroc after completing YES. He moved from his internship into a learnership, then became a Customer Care Representative before progressing into his current role as Regional Order Management Lead.

In his current role, Chevon handles large capital orders, including capturing them on company systems and making corrections or amendments as needed. Project work and month-end reporting are also part of the role, which has brought him into contact with different teams and businesses across the mining sector.

Moving into management was not always easy. Chevon recalls that some colleagues who had been with the company much longer initially found it difficult to report to him. He chose to address it directly, and says the working relationship improved after they spoke openly about it.

Becoming a manager is one of the milestones Chevon is most proud of. He now runs projects, has people reporting to him, and also acts as a mentor. Alongside his role at Epiroc, he runs a baking business in his spare time. Since joining the company as a YES intern, he has built a career that now includes leadership, responsibility, and the opportunity to help others develop at work.

Employees with Side Hustles / Dual Pursuits

Dineo Ndaba

Primary Role: Digital Communications Coordinator, youth@WORK
Venture / Side Hustle: Founder, Intelli-Assistant (digital strategy & visual identity for SMMEs)

Dineo Ndaba builds a career connecting young people to opportunity

Before joining YES, Dineo Ndaba was unemployed and looking for a way back into the workplace. She already had more than six months of administrative experience from an earlier internship and was applying for opportunities through SA Youth while continuing to build her skills.

Her next opportunity came through the YES programme. Sponsored by CoCre8 Technology Solutions and hosted by youth@WORK, Dineo joined in an administrative support role. Five months later, she began assisting with facilitation as part of the youth recruitment journey, which brought her into direct contact with young people entering the programme.

“The experience gave me a major mindset shift,” she says.

Dineo’s responsibilities continued to grow. She joined the social media team as a Digital Communications Coordinator, combining administrative experience with youth engagement, communication, and content creation. Her contribution during the programme led to a permanent contract upon the end of her YES placement.

Today, Dineo works at youth@WORK as a Digital Communication & Marketing Coordinator. She plans and facilitates youth engagement sessions, manages WhatsApp groups, creates and schedules social media content, runs surveys, tracks responses, and supports programme reporting. She also coordinates Think Tank Thursday sessions and works with guest speakers and other stakeholders.

Her work has also opened another avenue. Through a partner opportunity, Dineo stepped into digital marketing mentorship, helping YES youth and alumni build practical digital skills and explore work as freelancers or digital specialists.

The change has been both personal and professional. Dineo describes herself as naturally shy and introverted, but says facilitation and regular engagement have helped her become more confident speaking to different audiences. Her work now centres on helping young people access information, skills, and opportunities that can improve their employability.

Outside her full-time role, Dineo also offers digital support services and runs a beauty service providing eyelash extensions.

Employees

Kate Mirrandah Malale

Specialist Solutions Analyst, Absa

Kate Malale turns uncertainty into a career in data

Losing her job during the COVID-19 pandemic forced Kate Malale to rethink where her career was heading. She had studied Surveying Engineering at university, but the setback pushed her towards an interest she had long wanted to pursue: technology and programming.

Kate then enrolled in Zaio’s Full Stack Java Development programme, where she built practical software development skills. Her next step was the YES programme. Sponsored by Sanofi-Aventis South Africa and hosted by Naspers, she joined as a Data Analyst and began working more closely with data, systems, and analytics.

YES gave Kate her first structured exposure to a professional environment. She gained experience in data, systems and analytics, while developing practical skills in SQL, Python and business intelligence tools. The programme also helped rebuild her confidence after unemployment and gave her a clearer sense of direction.

“It strengthened my resilience and gave me a clear sense of direction and purpose,” she says.

Since YES, Kate has continued to build her career across data analysis, data quality and solutions roles, including positions at Prosus and Naspers and later ABSA. Today, she works at ABSA as a Solutions Specialist Analyst. Her work includes managing large datasets, maintaining dashboards, validating data, and supporting data pipelines and system integration. She also works with business teams, developers, and data engineers to turn business requirements into technical solutions.

Her progress has brought recognition. In 2024, Kate received ABSA’s Innovation Instigator Award, and her work and career story have been featured by BusinessTech, ITWeb Africa, SAFM, and YFM.

Outside her main role, she still uses her surveying background to take on small projects involving measurements, site assessments, and basic land-related support. Her move into technology has given Kate greater stability and financial independence, while allowing her to support her family. It has also shown her that a career can take a different direction without leaving earlier skills behind.

Employees

Edzani Mudau

Operations Associate, Alchemy Health Technologies

Edzani Mudau turns opportunity into healthcare innovation

Before joining the YES programme, Edzani Mudau was still trying to work out where he belonged. He had gained experience in logistics, starting as a picker before progressing to trainer and team leader, but he wanted a career with more room to grow.

That opportunity came through YES. Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson MedTech and placed at Alchemy Health Technologies as an administrator, Edzani entered a professional environment that gave him greater structure and direction. He says the experience strengthened his confidence, discipline and sense of responsibility while exposing him to workplace communication and problem-solving.

“YES didn’t just give me a job. It gave me direction, growth, and the confidence to keep building my career,” he says.

Edzani was retained by Alchemy Health Technologies immediately after completing his YES placement. From an operational and customer-facing position, his responsibilities expanded to include data management, contact centre operations, and system support. He also completed Microsoft Business Applications Specialisation training and passed multiple international certification exams.

Today, he is an Operations Associate working across healthcare and ICT. He manages healthcare practitioner and facility data, oversees a four-person contact centre team (including himself), and contributes to the development and customisation of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems for the South African market.

One of his biggest milestones came in 2025, when he presented an EMR solution he helped develop at the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town. The solution was also piloted at a cardiology practice in Durban, giving him practical experience of implementing healthcare technology. He was also recognised among the Top 70 in the 2025 YES Top 35 Under 35 competition.

Edzani is now helping to build and support systems for managing healthcare information. Since joining YES, he has moved from an administrative role to a specialised role spanning healthcare and technology. It is a career direction he was still searching for when he joined the programme.

Employees

Katleho Selwadi

Growth Marketing Manager, Altron Document Solutions

Katleho Selwadi turns early uncertainty into growth marketing leadership

When Katleho Selwadi joined YES, she had already graduated but was unsure how to turn her skills into a clear career path. She describes herself at the time as introverted and reluctant to talk about what she could do, even though she knew she was willing to work hard.

Her YES opportunity was sponsored by Ascendis Management Service, with a placement at Ascendis Health where she worked in marketing administration. The programme introduced her to the everyday realities of corporate life, from workplace conduct and collaboration to navigating different workplace dynamics and teams.

“It has given me the confidence to go for what I want,” she says.

Since YES, Katleho has worked across media, advertising, and technology, using each move to learn more about the kind of career she wanted. In media, she helped launch four artists. She also led the onboarding of a new system within an advertising division and, in technology, worked on strengthening a company’s digital presence, brand positioning, and industry recognition. Another role involved supporting the digital marketing strategies of four business units.

Katleho is now Growth Marketing Manager at Altron Document Solutions. Her work centres on using data to identify growth opportunities and running digital marketing activities that support customer acquisition, engagement, and revenue. She works across sales, product, and technology teams and oversees areas including performance marketing, marketing automation, analytics, and demand generation.

As her responsibilities grew, Katleho also had to deal with imposter syndrome and become more comfortable speaking up about her work. She says that continuous learning, asking questions, and turning to mentors for guidance helped her build confidence.

She has also learnt to contribute more confidently in meetings and larger forums rather than holding back her views. At Altron, she works in a business that uses technology to address practical challenges and supports initiatives that help learners and employees’ children pursue tertiary education, with some graduates later moving into employment.

Entrepreneurs

Khensani Baloyi

Founder, Khensi’s Bakery

Khensani Baloyi takes her bakery from home kitchen to three locations

Khensani Baloyi studied Logistics Management at the University of Johannesburg, but finding work after graduating was difficult. She had always enjoyed baking, so she began selling cakes and other baked goods from home. That became Khensi’s Bakery, with Khensani handling everything from orders and stock to baking and dealing with customers.

Her next step came through the YES programme. Sponsored and hosted by Viking BCT, Khensani worked in cleaning and stock packing. The role provided her with structured workplace experience and strengthened her communication, teamwork, discipline, and time management skills.

“Instead of remaining idle, I chose to create my own opportunity by turning my passion for baking into a business,” she says.

After completing YES, Khensani returned her focus to the bakery. She says the programme helped her run it more effectively, particularly in managing stock, customer orders, and day-to-day operations. Those changes supported the next stage of the business’s growth.

Khensi’s Bakery has since expanded beyond its home-based beginnings and now operates in Midrand, Naturena, and Protea Glen. The business produces cakes, scones, and other baked goods, while also taking custom orders for birthdays and other celebrations. Khensani has continued to draw on her logistics background to plan orders, manage stock, and organise operations as demand has grown.

The business has become an important source of income for her family and provides customers in the three areas with affordable baked goods. Khensani also sees its growth as a way of showing other young people, particularly women, that starting small can still lead to something sustainable.

Her journey has brought together three parts of her experience: academic training in logistics, the workplace discipline she developed through YES, and the business she started when formal employment was hard to find.

Entrepreneurs

Kim Gouws

Co-Founder & Head of Operations and Seller Growth, Kloset Klub

Kim Gouws turns a YES placement into a fashion-tech business

Kim Gouws had already spent years studying fashion before she entered the YES programme. She completed a Diploma in Fashion, followed by a BA and BA Honours in Fashion. She was also building experience in digital media and content creation, but was still looking for a way to turn her interest in fashion and sustainability into practical work.

YES gave her that opportunity. Sponsored by SAS Institute and hosted by WISI-Oi, Kim worked in marketing and digital community management inside a small startup environment. The role quickly exposed her to more than campaigns and content. She became involved in the systems, processes, and day-to-day work needed to keep a young business moving.

“The YES programme opened a door that changed everything for me,” she says.

Kim stayed after completing her placement and became part of building the business itself. WISI-Oi evolved into Kloset Klub, a digital marketplace for preloved fashion, and Kim progressed from her YES role to Co-Founder and Head of Operations and Seller Growth.

Today, she oversees the platform’s operations, seller growth, and the processes behind the marketplace, while working closely with the CEO to turn ideas into practical plans. Kloset Klub has generated more than R511,000 in lifetime sales, grown to over 320 active sellers, and has close to 3,000 live listings, with around 1,800 people using the platform each month.

Kloset Klub has picked up recognition along the way. It was named Best Female Tech Startup in Africa at AfricArena 2023 and selected for the Google for Startups Accelerator Black Founders Programme 2024/2025. Kim has also represented the company at the G20 MSME Digital Innovation Challenge in Cape Town and the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in 2026.

The platform gives sellers a way to earn money from clothing they no longer wear and keeps more of those items in circulation rather than sending them to landfill. The business has also created jobs of its own. What started for Kim as a YES placement is now the company she helps run every day.

Employees with Side Hustles / Dual Pursuits

Lerato Ntloane

Primary Role: Facilitator, Click Learning
Venture / Side Hustle: Financial management advisor and record-keeping consultant for township micro-enterprises

Lerato Ntloane turns digital learning into opportunity

Lerato Ntloane grew up in a household where education offered a way to improve her family’s circumstances. As the first child in her family to complete matric, she set an example for her siblings before going on to study Financial Management.

Her first step into the workplace came through an internship at a local school, where she worked as a financial officer and took responsibility for financial records. She later completed a Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences and began helping micro businesses with basic financial management and record-keeping.

Lerato’s career took a different direction when she joined the YES programme as a facilitator, sponsored by a wireless infrastructure operating in South Africa and hosted by Click Foundation Trust. Working in a computer lab introduced her to digital learning and gave her the professional experience she had struggled to secure after studying.

“The YES programme bridged the gap between education and employment for me,” she says.

Lerato was retained after completing the programme and now works as a computer lab facilitator at Click Learning. She guides learners through lessons, helps with technical challenges, maintains the lab, and works with educators and colleagues to keep learning activities on track. Her role has also grown beyond her own lab. She has helped other schools launch computer labs, gaining experience in coordination, basic technical setup, and supporting digital learning environments.

Working with learners every day has also taught Lerato how differently people approach technology. Some need more guidance than others, particularly where access to computers at home is limited. Helping them become more comfortable in the lab has become an important part of her role.

Alongside her education work, Lerato continues to use her finance background to support micro businesses with their income, expenses, cash flow, and record-keeping. Her path has spanned finance, education, and technology, but the thread running through it is practical support that helps others build their own skills and confidence.

Employees

Lesego Queen Moepi

Risk Analyst, Nedbank Group Limited

Lesego Moepi builds a banking career around risk and community impact

Lesego Moepi grew up in Marapyane in Mpumalanga, one of 11 children in a family where community and responsibility were part of everyday life. She excelled academically and went on to complete a BCom Honours in Economics at the University of the Witwatersrand and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the University of Pretoria.

Her university years also included student leadership and community development work. In 2019, Wits recognised her as an Emerging Leader. After graduating, Lesego moved between internships while volunteering with programmes focused on education and economic empowerment. She also established the LQ Moepi Foundation NPC.

One of the many applications she submitted was for the YES programme at Nedbank. Sponsored and hosted by Nedbank, Lesego joined as a Risk Analyst. The placement gave her practical exposure to banking and introduced her to operational and enterprise-wide risk management.

For Lesego, YES also changed how she saw herself at work. She says the programme strengthened her confidence, broadened her understanding of the economy, and renewed her commitment to community development.

She was retained after completing the programme and now works permanently as a Risk Analyst at Nedbank Group. Within Enterprise Wide Risk Management, she helps identify, assess, monitor, and mitigate risks across the businesses she supports. Her work also involves analysing risk, reporting to stakeholders, and contributing recommendations that can inform business decisions.

Lesego has continued studying alongside her career. She completed a six-month University of Johannesburg programme in Basics of Data, Programming and Application in Business and was selected for Nedbank’s N-Circle Mentorship Programme. She has also received recognition badges from managers and colleagues for the quality and consistency of her work.

Her career has also given Lesego greater financial stability and the ability to support her family. Outside Nedbank, she remains involved in education and economic empowerment through the community work she started before joining YES.

Employees

Lorraine Malete

Project Manager, LRMG

Lorraine Malete turns a career change into project management

Lorraine Malete began her career with a qualification in Hospitality, but health reasons prevented her from continuing in the field. She entered the job market just after COVID-19, when many hospitality businesses were still recovering, and found herself unsure about what should come next.

Lorraine decided to change direction. She completed a traineeship in Cloud Computing and Cybersecurity and earned certifications, although moving into technology with a non-technical background was not easy. She says confidence was one of her biggest challenges.

Her opportunity through YES was sponsored by Amazon Web Services South Africa (PTY) LTD, with a placement at Reliance Cloud as an AWS Solutions Architect Intern. The role gave Lorraine her first real exposure to a corporate technology environment and allowed her to develop project management skills alongside her technical work.

“The YES programme didn’t just help me find a job, it helped me build confidence, direction, and the courage to think bigger,” she says.

After completing YES, Lorraine was offered a permanent position as a Project Manager at the company where she had completed her internship. When the company later closed, she used the experience she had gained to secure a new opportunity.

Lorraine is now a Project Coordinator at LRMG, working on learning and development programmes. She develops project plans and statements of work, coordinates timelines, works with programme managers and external stakeholders, and helps keep projects on track. Her responsibilities have also expanded into operations and proposal development.

The programmes she supports focus on areas including leadership development, skills improvement, and organisational performance. Lorraine sees her role in delivering them as a way of contributing to stronger teams and workplaces.

Alongside her full-time work, she is developing an MVP for Mama Root, a digital platform intended to support women through conception, pregnancy, and early childhood. Lorraine says that building it alongside her full-time role has required discipline and initiative, and that it reflects her longer-term goal of creating something of her own.

Employees

Lungile Ngcobo

Archivist, Sales & Media at David Krut Workshop and Media Officer at Occupying The Gallery

Lungile Ngcobo builds a career around art, memory and storytelling

Photography gave Lungile Ngcobo her first way into the creative world. She studied Studio Photography and began building experience through photography, arts education, and visual storytelling. Her experience has included freelance photography assistance for GQ Magazine and Lampost, as well as supporting photography programmes and students at the Market Photo Workshop.

Lungile joined the YES programme as a Photographer at YUM Pizza Hut. The experience gave her practical workplace exposure and helped her build confidence, discipline, and the ability to work with diverse people and teams. It also gave her greater financial independence and room to continue developing her creative practice.

“The YES programme showed me that creative careers are valuable and sustainable,” she says.

Since YES, Lungile has continued building a career across photography, arts administration, and contemporary art. She now works at David Krut Publishing as an Archivist, Media, and Sales professional. Her role includes exhibition preparation, archiving, media coordination, printmaking projects, and artist support, bringing her into regular contact with artists, printers, framers, and galleries.

The work has also influenced her own artistic direction. Lungile has expanded beyond photography into printmaking, mixed media, and installation, while continuing her postgraduate studies in Fine Arts. Through Occupying the Gallery, a collaborative platform focused on mentorship, community, and contemporary art practice, she has taken part in exhibitions, residencies, and major art fairs.

One of her artworks, The Maternal, received recognition through the Sanlam Group and Youth Content Collective initiative and was later acquired by the Iziko Museums of South Africa. She has also presented work through Occupying the Gallery at the Investec Cape Town Art Fair.

Alongside her professional role, Lungile continues freelance photography, social media, and graphic design work. Her career now gives her a way to support other artists, contribute to South African creative spaces, and show younger creatives around her that art can become a serious profession.

Employees

Makhauta Tsemane

Marketing Professional & BBA Graduate

Makhauta Tsemane builds a marketing career across African markets

Makhauta Tsemane’s interest in marketing began before she finished her studies. While completing her Marketing Management qualification at IIE Rosebank College, she worked as a Sales Assistant during two registration periods. After graduating, she joined Momentum Metropolitan Holdings as a Marketing Intern, where she gained her first proper exposure to brand and campaign work.

One of her standout projects at Momentum was managing the rebranding of signage at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Later, however, Makhauta spent six months unemployed before joining the YES programme. Sponsored and hosted by Alpla Packaging South Africa, she came in as a BEE Administrator.

“Joining the YES programme was a turning point that revitalised my confidence after six months of unemployment,” she says.

The role took her outside marketing and into work that required close collaboration with HR, Finance, and Procurement. Makhauta says the experience taught her to adapt, build relationships across teams, and become more confident in a corporate environment. Seeing women in leadership also encouraged her to think differently about her own career prospects.

After YES, Makhauta worked in sales and customer service before moving back into marketing. At Capsicum Culinary Studio, she coordinated Work Integrated Learning placements and helped students prepare for the workplace. Seeing most of them go on to secure permanent jobs became one of the achievements she is most proud of.

Makhauta now works at Chilli Media as a Junior Marketer and Social Media Manager. She creates social media strategies and content for automotive brands including Nissan, Mitsubishi, GWM, Omoda, and Jaecoo across Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, and Malawi. Working across several markets has also taught her to adjust messaging for different audiences.

She also freelances as a Social Media Manager, managing content, scheduling, and community engagement for a regular client. That work has increased the client’s sales while giving Makhauta another space to keep developing her digital marketing skills.

Employees

Mpho Patane

Transformation Specialist, Johnson & Johnson Medical

Mpho Patane goes from YES participant to leading the programme

Mpho Patane grew up in Munsieville, Krugersdorp, raised by his mother and grandmother. After completing a BA and Honours degree in Psychology at Wits University, Mpho joined Sage as a Transformation Intern from 2022 to 2023, gaining early experience in B-BBEE and diversity.

When that internship ended without a permanent role, Mpho spent 11 months unemployed. During that time, he continued developing his skills through free online Excel and project management courses.

The next opportunity came through YES at Johnson & Johnson MedTech, where Mpho joined as a Transformation Intern. Getting to work was demanding. He was living in Munsieville and commuting to Midrand, leaving home at 5:30am for a journey that could take up to two hours.

The role quickly became more than an entry point. Mpho managed cross-functional projects, worked with internal and external stakeholders, and spoke at a company town hall on inclusion. He also requested a coffee meeting with the General Manager to better understand the organisation’s priorities and identify where he could add more value.

“This experience made me more confident, resilient, and comfortable in initiating difficult conversations,” Mpho says.

After completing YES in February 2025, Mpho received a two-year contract extension with increased responsibilities and remuneration. In May that year, the General Manager asked him to serve as Executive Assistant and Office Manager for a year, providing exposure to Leadership Team meetings and insight into how senior leaders approached decision-making and problem-solving.

On 1 May 2026, Mpho became a permanent Transformation Specialist at Johnson & Johnson Medical. The role includes helping to develop the B-BBEE strategy, managing YES and learnership programmes, supporting skills development, and contributing to employment equity initiatives.

Mpho now leads the same YES programme that once provided his entry into the organisation. He supports interns and YES youth participants, holding monthly check-ins to understand their progress and identify where additional support may be needed.

Employees

Mpho Precious Lukhele

HR Administrator, Afrika Tikkun Services (Nestlé Nespresso / All4Youth)