10 December 2015
The Telkom Foundation has offered training to thousands of young people in Mamelodi, enabling them to acquire the basic skills they need to access job opportunities.
On 26 November, the Telkom Connected Youth project saw 300 staff volunteers assisting young people aged 18 to 35 to write up CVs and set up free email addresses. The Telkom team also coached the delegates in how best to use their cellphones to access job sites and potential employment opportunities.
"We live in an increasingly digital society which offers great convenience in many areas of our lives but it's also made it harder for job-seekers to access opportunities if they're not online," said Jacqui O'Sullivan, Managing Executive: Group Communication and Public Relations for Telkom.
"Future Talk" sessions ran throughout the day with speakers such as the Honourable Prof. Hlengiwe Mkhize, Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services. The sessions motivated the participants and offered basic skills such as techniques to use when being interviewed.
As South Africa eagerly counts down to the highly anticipated Telkom Knockout on 16 December, soccer stars partnered with Telkom at the careers event to help inspire youth in building confidence and preparing them for the work environment.
Players from the two teams playing in the Telkom Knockout final, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns, enjoyed interacting interacting with the youth and lauded Telkom for this impactful initiative that will make a difference in the community of Mamelodi.
"What Telkom has done for the youth is quite amazing and is to be applauded. We are living examples, of what hard work can do but with Telkom providing such platforms, the youth can have even better opportunities to improve their lives and become role models in their communities," said Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, George Maluleka.
Maluleka's sentiments were also echoed by Mamelodi Sundowns shot-stopper Kennedy Mwene.
"What Telkom is doing for the youth today is truly remarkable. Through such initiatives, young people can be empowered to go into the workplace and make a career for themselves," said the goal keeper.