Passion is one of the important ingredients that make a successful entrepreneur; Sedzani Netshitenzhe of Nzalo Careers can testify to this. She started a thriving business out of her love for social and youth development.
“When I was growing up I always knew that I would to be part of the solution to alleviatie poverty in our country but I was not really sure how this would happen. I think going through the challenges I experienced made me feel like I just had to be the one to solve this problem of inequality in our country.
Nzalo Careers specializes in providing career and leadership development programmes for learners in disadvantaged. The programme was established to help mentor young people, who needed advice on choosing careers,
“I went through a lot of challenges when I was transitioning from high school to tertiary, and I could see that there were still a lot of other young people that are still struggling in terms of finding the right type of career, or even going to the right varsity or college. It was from that realisation that I thought I should solve the problem by starting a business that would help address such issues,” explains Netshitenzhe.
So I told myself that I had to be the one to bridge this gap. So starting the business allowed to me to work with young people,” she adds.
The organisation conducts afterschool care programmes nationally; it facilitates career and leadership development courses, as well as hosting various educational career activities.
Netshitenzhe says the programme has had a positive impact on its beneficiaries, recalling one of the highlights of the business.
“We groom future leaders and help them find purpose.”
Netshitenzhe’s experience spans over logistics, accounts and project management as well as various business endeavours that helped her to start Nzalo Careers. When she started her business she was responsible for sales, sponsorship acquisition, database management and managing various adhoc projects. This enabled her to hone her skills in stakeholder and project management, in particular with projects involve careers and educational events while creating platforms for stakeholders to optimize their Social Return on Investment for their brands. She credits this experience and past ones as some of the contributing factors that led helped her to run a successful and sustainable business.
Unlike most South African SMEs that struggle to access finance for their business, Netshitenzhe is one the few people who was able to receive funding capital. She received the NYDA Grant Funding of R44 000, under Community Development Facilitation Projects category, from Tshwane branch.
Netshitenzhe used the funds to purchase equipment such as speakers, mixer, projector screens and microphones. She no longer has to spend money on hiring equipment when she needs to contribute to betterment of her community. She currently works with three young people on a full-time basis.
Nzalo Careers creates platforms to access opportunities and guidance from professionals about life after they complete high school. We prepare our learners from root level to become effective managers of their careers.
As for organizations, the company provides an opportunity to engage and inform learners as early as high school and tap into a pool of talent.
We do this through career events, career publications and DVDs as well as career and leadership programmes.
We equip learners to navigate meaningfully, with confidence through:
• The journey in high school and the world of work.
• The globalized economy with sound leadership that will benefit communities.
Vital Stats
Featured entrepreneurs - Sedzani Netshienzne
Age - 34
Company name - Nzalo Careers
Year founded - 2015
Turnover - R1 Million
Start-up funding - R8000