Fasset-funded Thusanani Work Readiness Programme, offered by Stanley Hutcheson in partnership with Deloitte and the University of Johannesburg is a Seta success story. Ninety-nine unemployed graduates recently graduated from the programme, bringing the total number of unemployed graduates, who have completed the programme, since April 2006, to 1 200.

The graduation ceremony is always preceded by a Trade Fair, where project beneficiaries exhibit their community projects. “The Trade Fair provides an opportunity for learners to meet potential project-funders and prospective employers,” Fasset CEO, Cheryl James explains.

The range of projects impressed. Projects included a project, which raised awareness around child pornography, a project which targeted post matriculants, who wanted to study further or wanted to establish businesses, a project which equipped informal traders at the Baragwaneth Taxi Rank with financial literacy and strategy skills, and a project which provided three tuck shops and the cafeteria at University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus, with financial management services.

There was also a project which sought to improve spelling in primary schools by hosting a spelling competition. Partnering with an NGO, Happy D, one of the projects arranged an outing to the movies for children from child-headed households.

In another very successful initiative, learners partnered with Sassa and the Department of Home Affairs, assisting the community to obtain identification documents and access to social grants and grants for foster care.

There was also a project, which educated the community in the care of domestic animals, and another, which by producing a movie, hoped to raise awareness around people with disabilities. Prizes were awarded for the top syndicate, top academic student, best file, top learner overall, and top learner runner up.

IDEAZCA was recognized as the top syndicate and the best community project. The project promoted recycling at the Emshukantambo High School in Soweto. Six Grade 8 classes were taught to convert waste material in their immediate environment, into art work, which could be sold.

Fifteen year old Teddy Dindi and 15 year old Nhlanhla Masondo scooped up the prize for the best art work. As a direct result of the project, Dindi says the environment is safe and there is no litter and no broken glass. “It is clean and fresh,” he observed. Dindi and Masondo hope to become artists when they grow up.

Nontuthuko Majola was recognized as the top academic learner, scoring an average of 82% for her assessments and projects.

Nancy Mlambo was recognized as runner up, top academic learner. The laurels for the best file went to Mswati Masala.

Twenty-three year old Elvis Ndlovu was recognized as the top learner overall. Ndlovu, who grew up in Orange Farm, “fell in love with accounting in Grade 12”. After matriculating he completed a B Com Accounting degree through the University of Pretoria’s, Mamelodi Campus.

“To be chosen as the Top Student from a group of 99 learners means a lot to me. I am very proud,” Ndlovu reveals.

Ndlovu is the first person in his family to qualify as an accountant. “I come from a family of civil servants. My father is a soldier. Family members include policemen and policewomen,” he explains.

Ndlovu was inspired to achieve, by one of his cousins, who studied at the University of Cambridge, in the United Kingdom.

Well on his way to achieving his dream of becoming a CA, Ndlovu is currently registered with the University of Johannesburg. He is completing a Bridging Programme before enrolling for the CTA.