Creating possibilities: RCS and TSIBA empower youth employment

South African youth embody the hopes and aspirations of a nation striving for a brighter and more inclusive future. However, in recent years, this immense potential has been stifled by high youth unemployment rate.

When most people reflect on the impact of youth unemployment in South Africa, the economic consequences may be top of mind. There is, however, a far-reaching social impact to consider as well. The knock-on effects of youth unemployment are poverty and disillusionment, which in turn can lead to mental health issues, social instability, substance abuse and rising crime rates.

Young people without access to jobs represents a lost opportunity for talent and productivity. However, a concerted and unified effort by private sector leaders can bring about meaningful change. This is the opinion of Sandi Richardson, human resources executive at RCS, who says “an investment in youth development today is the key to unlocking a resilient economy tomorrow – and that extends to businesses, individuals, families and communities.

“At RCS, we’ve seen this materialise in initiatives like our internships, learnerships and employee training programmes, which include strategic partnerships with institutions like the TSIBA Business School. Solving unemployment begins with equipping young people with the knowledge, skills and tools that will prepare them for the working world. Private sector partnerships with learning institutions are vital in laying this all-important groundwork.”

The transformative power of education

TSIBA Business School, an accredited higher education institution, was established in 2004. For the past 20 years, it has played an instrumental role in making quality education accessible to thousands of students from underprivileged backgrounds.

RCS, a prominent financial services provider, has been a steadfast partner in TSIBA’s journey, providing the institution with vital financial and non-financial support. Celebrating its 25th year of making a difference, RCS has been instrumental in supporting TSIBA’s mission to produce graduates who are not only academically accomplished but also embody strong ethical values and leadership qualities. RCS’s commitment to social responsibility and community upliftment aligns perfectly with TSIBA’s vision of transformative education.

Some of TSIBA’s landmark achievements include:

• Awarding over 9 500 annual tuition fee scholarships.
• Positively impacting the lives of more than 3 500 students.
• Achieving a postgraduate employment rate of over 90%.
• Producing 1 743 business graduates including 646 Bachelor of Business of Administration in Entrepreneurial Leadership alumni and 1 088 Higher Certificate in Business Administration alumni.
• Seeing many of its students go on to receive prestigious awards including the Mandela Rhodes Scholarships, Kofi Annan Fellowships, United Nations PRME Global Student Regional Leaders in Africa appointments, and Allan Gray Orbis Fellowships.

Stories of personal and professional triumph

TSIBA success stories abound, like that of Mthetho Koyana who, despite his initial skepticism around enrolling, found much-needed support in the institution’s educational community and network. Today, he is a thriving professional in the corporate sector who proudly embodies the values he learnt during his time as a student.

As he reflects: “The sense of belonging and recognition from the staff and lecturers made TSIBA one of the best decisions of my life. The focus on leadership and entrepreneurship has been invaluable.”

A similar story is that of TSIBA alumnus Ruth Stoffberg, who hails from Hanover Park – an under-resourced community in the Western Cape that is rife with challenges. Her learning experience at TSIBA propelled her into a career as an investment operations manager at Prowess Investment Managers. Like many graduates before her, she credits TSIBA’s mentorship, training and practical approach to learning as the foundation of her success. “The TSIBA qualification opened doors I never thought possible. It was a blessing that many from my community don’t have the privilege of acquiring.”

Says Richardson, “In TSIBA’s many success stories – and those in the making – we find enduring sources of inspiration and hope. These kinds of outcomes are testament to the power of private sector partnerships to make a difference where it matters most. A long-term solution to youth unemployment must begin with equipping young people with everything they need to build careers, and the key to doing that is education and training. As we celebrate Youth Month, this is the message we want to share with our industry peers: together, we can shape a future where every young person has the skills to succeed.”

Image credit: Freepik