Young people in Orange Farm are gaining access to valuable career and business development opportunities through the efforts of the Setshaba Sotlhe National Business Forum and its Youth Wing.
The organisation has been praised for its commitment to helping young people access employment opportunities, career guidance and entrepreneurial support. Advocate LT Rantsho, a member of the Setshaba Sotlhe National Business Forum, commended the initiative, saying its work is making a meaningful impact in the lives of local youth.
“This organisation is doing outstanding work in supporting youth through job application assistance, career development and business opportunities. Their commitment to empowering young people and helping them achieve their goals is truly commendable,” said Rantsho.
Setshaba Sotlhe Youth Councillor Simon Molefe has been working to connect the Youth Wing with the City of Johannesburg Department of Economic Development to ensure that information about empowerment programmes reaches young people in Orange Farm.
As part of this collaboration, the department is currently presenting a five-day Enterprise and Supplier Development programme aimed at equipping young entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge needed to strengthen and grow their businesses.
Molefe said access to information remains a major challenge for many young people in the area, with opportunities such as bursaries, learnerships and economic development programmes often failing to reach the community.
Adding to these efforts, Deon Mhlongo from the Department of Employment and Labour continues to assist work seekers through services offered at Drieziek Library. These services include career guidance, CV writing, completion of Z83 application forms, job search support and interview preparation.
“All our work seekers are registered on the Employment Services of South Africa (ESSA) database, which helps them access available employment opportunities more effectively,” said Mhlongo.
A recent youth session hosted at the library provided practical assistance to young job seekers, helping them improve their employment prospects and better prepare for the job market. The initiative reflects a growing commitment by community leaders, government departments and local organisations to ensure that Orange Farm’s youth have access to the information, skills and opportunities needed to build successful futures.
