This month, the Nozibusiso Foundation, in collaboration with Acer Africa, hosted a Career Day at Manqamu High School located in the hometown of the founder, Kwambonambi, about 30km outside Richard’s Bay. At the event, Grade 12 learners were provided with valuable information on potential career paths and heard from a range of working professionals who discussed their personal career journeys in various fields. The Career Day was set up with one major goal in mind: to empower these matric learners to broaden their horizons through viable career options they might not have considered.
About the Nozibusiso Foundation
The Nozibusiso Foundation was founded by sports journalist, children’s author, and village girl, Nozibusiso Sibiya. Nozibusiso is passionate about developing children in rural areas across South Africa through sports and education. The foundation is an NPO that initially had a central focus on empowerment through football and netball. However, it has recently expanded to include technical skills development through its Career Day initiatives – aiming to provide learners with helpful information they can use to make informed decisions about their futures.
Empowerment through partnership
Acer Africa continues to build a relationship with the Nozibusiso Foundation and has committed to helping the foundation empower learners. The company’s wealth of knowledge about technology, and access to valuable technological tools, made them a valuable partner in actioning an endeavour like this. Acer donated two laptops to the school so that learners would have access to devices and offered leaners a glance into the wonderous world of technology. The partnership is one that will, hopefully, see many more learners empowered.
Inspiring success
The Career Day event was a huge success that is sure to have inspired many. New Marketing Lead for Acer Africa Lesego “Bobbi” Nyamane, shared inspirational words of courage as she shared her own life experiences and career journey. She challenged the learners to “dream bigger” and to “believe in [themselves] no matter [their] circumstances”. Learners also heard from their principal who encouraged them to use the event to open themselves up to a world of opportunities in entrepreneurship and education, as well as any other unexpected opportunities throughout the country. Students were then given the opportunity to ask the speakers questions about their backgrounds, professional experience, and what types of educational opportunities exist within their chosen fields.
Making major decisions about the future is a daunting experience for all high schoolers. And, when this is partnered with challenging circumstances, it can seem impossible. That’s why the Career Day initiative aims to help these learners by providing them with the information and mentorship they need to shine. Nozibusiso Foundation founder, Nozibusiso Sibiya had this to say about the importance of these initiatives as well as the partnership with Acer:
“Thanks to Acer Africa for believing in my dream of youth development in rural areas. I started the Nozibusiso Foundation with the goal of putting rural children on the map and making them see that their dreams are valid. I’m grateful that my goals align with a brand such as Acer and that we are still going to do more together to empower marginalized youth in South Africa.”
