Themba Training uses micro business training tools, expert mentoring, and start up capital to empower unemployed breadwinners to start micro businesses.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

2013 has been a year of contrasts for Themba Training. We have enjoyed good news stories, yet at the same time have faced challenges, and had a few sad news stories. Sadly, at the end of August we said goodbye to two of our trainers. 

Malibongwe Nduku joined the Thembalitsha staff more than 5 years ago and has become much loved and respected in the Foundation. For most of this time Mali was involved in our micro business training courses. In 2012 we established the PC training center in Bellville (near main bus/taxi rank) which came under his leadership. We are very proud of what we managed to establish but have not been successful in creating sufficient interest. In the many years Themba Training has been involved in the townships we have literally had hundreds of requests for computer training. However we were not confident establishing such a facility in the areas we operate due to security concerns, therefore the move to Bellville. We offered our courses at very little cost but discovered people were not prepared to travel to attend them. This surprised us as it never surfaced as a potential issue when we did our canvassing. We have had to go back to the drawing board, but due to lack of funds Themba Training is no longer in a position to employ Malibongwe.

Lionel Padayachee joined Themba Training (also as a micro business trainer) in 2009. In 2012 we mandated Lionel to establish a Security Training Academy. We are very proud of the way in which he enrolled for and passed the many courses to obtain full SETA accreditation as a facilitator and monitor. However, the Foundation has not been able to produce a certificate required for us to register as an accredited SASSETA training facility. This has been a tremendously frustrating experience for us. Our objective was that this project would be self-sustaining but as we can no longer provide the necessary financial support we have had to call it a day.

Both these men have become my good friends. I have huge respect for them and pray that wonderful doors will open for both of them. Having to let them go has been a big blow to us.


Our small business training in Crossroads continues. Currently we are running two very successful classes and will share some good news stories next month. We have also obtained new training facilities in Crossroads and are in advanced discussions with some of the other Thembalitsha Projects to present training courses and other services at this venue. So amongst the sad news, there is also good news and much hope.   
Francois Heunis