ORT SA welcomed 42 youths to take on administrative and teaching assistant roles, sponsored by Adient South Africa. For the next 12 months, they work to gain experience through the Youth Employment Services (YES) programme.
Rifilwe Mokatane shares her story, being one of the participants placed at Legal Aid South Africa.
“I am an intern receptionist at the law firm, managing the reception area, and handling walk-in clients and queries. I work with highly qualified attorneys, and I engage with different personalities and characters every day. My passion and charisma help me to get through the day. This opportunity has shaped me, I’m stronger, more confident, more decisive and more determined.”
Aside from getting crucial workplace skills, Rifilwe was able to hone her entrepreneurial skills and started a handmade jewellery business. “I started designing jewellery in 2020 during the lockdown period, as I was a new graduate.”
She started rearranging most of her jewellery designing them from scratch. “I watched YouTube and started meditating on designs. I then started posting on my social media and attending social gatherings where I’m exposed to all kinds of people, which got me positive feedback and has earned me customers around the country.”
Rifilwe plans to expand her business by hiring more people. “I’d also like to have an online store”.
