For the past year, the YES Ulusha Hub has been breathing new life into the economy of the Alexandra township by delivering world-class training to local youth and creating opportunities for small business development in the community.
Now the hub has opened a new wing to host additional training programmes to meet the overwhelming demand for skills from the community’s youth. Thanks to anchor funder Netcare and companies like MMI, Schauenburg and Bidvest, around 400 youth have either started or are going through training at the Hubs.
The Hub’s offerings already include textile and manufacturing facilities in the Textile Academy; Nyathi Arts Creation, which trains youth in the production of ceramics and pottery; a Drone Academy; an ICT and digital laboratory; a small business centre; and the official headquarters for the Youth Content Collective, a creative agency.
YES chief partnerships officer Farai Mubaiwa is positive about the Hub’s impact on the youth in Alexandra. “These new offerings will provide the community with new skills, improve the employability of youth, and create jobs and entrepreneurship,” she said.
24-year-old Tumelo Selowa, who is undergoing training at the Hub as a quality assurer as part of the textile manufacturing programme, is learning new skills that will be invaluable for her future. The 12-month quality work experience that she is undergoing has also allowed her to generate an income and support her family.
The Ulusha Hub is one of three YES Hubs around the country, with the other two in Saldanha and Tembisa. With the support of companies like EOH, McCormick Property, Jurumani, Microsoft and Assupol, the YES Alex Hub creates spaces for potential entrepreneurs and self-starters who just need that first chance to unlock their potential through support programmes, training, and connections to markets.
YES chief financial officer Vaunn Kelly emphasised the importance of helping youth obtain marketable skills. “Our aim is to harness the enthusiasm and raw talent of our youth and support them through different programmes at our Hubs to develop skills that the economy needs,” said Kelly.
Join the movement
Businesses can claim Socio-Economic Development points and/or donation spend by contributing to YES Hubs and investing in communities in our country. These investments give our youth access to opportunities that are most likely out of reach for the average young person in these communities. Together, YES and its partners have created over 82,207 work opportunities for South Africa’s youth.
