South Africa is one of the highest-ranking countries in the world regarding unemployment rates. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFs) by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the country’s official unemployment rate stood at 32.60% in the third quarter of 2023 – a slight decrease from the previous quarter, but still at an extremely high rate. Zutari has been actively engaged in the YES initiative and is delighted to announce that we’re taking a different approach this year by hosting our interns. This shift underscores our unwavering commitment to addressing the critical issue of youth unemployment in South Africa.
In this calamity, Zutari created 76 opportunities for South African youth to participate in the mainstream economy; of the 76 youth, 37 are females. Even though, as a country, we are far from fixing the unemployment rate, but by doing the right thing no matter the circumstances, we embrace true transformation while tackling South Africa’s unemployment rate challenge because we believe that when you lead the youth, you lead the future.
At Zutari, we strive to play our part in ensuring that the youth of South Africa are afforded the opportunity of a first job during these trying times. We can achieve this by acting as a YES sponsor for unemployed youth. This means that, as Zutari, we are committed to participating and ensuring South African youth have access to skills and opportunities. In the financial year of 2024, we are looking at creating 28 opportunities for YES 4 Youth candidates. Zutari will, in 2024, host interns who hold a national diploma, BTech etc qualifications. This will allow us to further grow these inspiring minds in the field of infrastructure engineering and supporting operations.
The following two YES interns, where hosted at Zutari this year. We had the opportunity to interview them, to gain more insight about themselves, their growth and how this programme contributed to their future careers
Karabo Makuwa
INTERN | PEOPLE BENEFITS
What drives you?
Learning new skills motivates me – seeing myself improve as I gain immeasurable knowledge about a job, market, or sector is satisfying. Self-outcome growth drives me.
What is your current role within Zutari, and what does it mean to you?
I’m an intern within the Employee Benefits Team, and in describing what it means to me, this role has taught me the power of what private and confidential mean; you must own it. So, what it means to me is having to own the delegated tasks that are given.
Rate the overall organisation and structure of the programme on a scale of 1 to 5
Excellent = 5
Who is your go-to person in the workplace for personal or professional guidance, & why them?
Tshireletso Matjila, he held conversations about initiating and creating growth and what to do so that each individual can grow, whether emotionally, mentally or for personal or professional reasons, resulting in restructuring goals for better results in career plans.
What motivated you to participate in this programme?
The subtitle was created to implement change within the unemployed youth to generate experience and grow and sustain a well-equipped level within the corporate sector.
How did the programme contribute to your personal and professional growth?
It has provided me with the necessary employability skills to become an employable citizen by equipping me with the knowledge and skills to demonstrate the ability to establish a work ethic. It has created growth in getting to know more within the role by taking training and online courses to maintain and receive growth.
What suggestions do you have for improving the Y.E.S Initiative programme in the future?
Monthly visits to check the progress of the candidates participating in the YES Initiative programme. (Inspections)
Did the programme provide the necessary resources and support to achieve your goals? Please elaborate.
Yes, it did. They will do a regular check-in through calls asking the following: your performance within the company, struggles one could face and how they could assist you so you reach your full potential.
What is your proudest moment/s in your Y.E.S Initiative journey to date?
My proudest moments are having to meet the most incredible people within the company who are well-equipped and having received the skills and knowledge that my Line Manager, Semakaleng Fisha, unpacked. Thank you.
What are your hobbies/interests?
I love engaging in chess games with a knowledge of fabricating strategies!
Creative arts – I am in the process of learning a second musical instrument.
Reading – My favourite book is ”Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl”. It focuses on love, hope, responsibility, inner freedom, and beauty found in both nature and art as means that help one endure and overcome harrowing experiences.
Who has had the most significant influence in your life?
The biggest influencer in my life is my father ”Hlabishi Makuwa”, one of the most remarkable human beings I know; he continuously reflects that we are not defined by failure, doubts, colour, or whether we were brought up rich or poor. He has shown that defining what you want and implementing faith within your tongue is all in the mind. He has proven that by placing hard work into something you require in your life and speaking faith into your plans, you will reach your success journey.
Life lessons you would have given your young self 5 years back?
Failure is okay, as life is a journey, not a competition. And everything has its own time to give birth; for example, it takes a dog two months to give birth and an elephant 24 months, which means I shouldn’t measure my success by time; when the time is right, everything will fall into place. A wise grandfather once told me that if looking back fills you with regret, realise you did the best you could at the time.
What is your favourite South African company, and why?
Transnet. Their employees travel frequently, gaining a lot of exposure.
What would you change or do different if you were president for one month?
I would restructure the government and maintain the level of partnership with other countries in working together to decrease the crises faced in South Africa, such as unemployment and water shortages in rural areas. I would establish full ownership of our resources to generate country revenue within those resources.
What would you like the future generation to remember you with?
I am a person who doesn’t quit and who perseveres despite the hardship. A person who just wanted to make a difference within the youth and impact people’s lives.
What is your hope for the future?
My hope lies in the truth that all the solutions and improvements of our future are possible. It’s up to us to put them into practice. And I have a lot of hopes for the future, but I have these two which are in the top of the list, which are:
Reaching the full capacity within the space of my career in terms of having the full understanding and reaching the expert level within the career.
Finishing my Postgraduate in 2024 so it could lead to a road in doing a master’s degree.
Fortune Godas
INTERN | CIVIL ENGINEERING
What drives you?
- Personal growth and development: producing creative ideas to improve or make something new, success and personal growth. I want to help others, be the best at my work, learn new things, and work well as a team.
- Financial security: the ability to provide for myself, my family and achieve my financial goals.
- Independence and autonomy: freedom, self-reliance, and the ability to make my own decisions and choices.
What is your current role within Zutari and what does it mean to you?
As a civil engineering intern at Zutari, being part of such a renowned company means a lot to me.
Working for a company known for its expertise in providing sustainable engineering and infrastructure solutions, and contributing to their projects and initiatives is a great opportunity for me to learn and grow as a civil engineer.
It means that I have the chance to work alongside experienced professionals dedicated to positively impacting the built environment and society.
This internship allows me to gain practical experience in various aspects of civil engineering, such as design, construction, project management, and sustainability. It also means that I am entrusted with real responsibilities and tasks that contribute to the success of Zutari’s projects. Being a civil engineering intern at Zutari signifies the chance to work with a leading firm in the industry, acquiring valuable skills and knowledge that will benefit me in my future career endeavours.
Rate the overall organisation and structure of the programme on a scale between 1-5
4 = Very good.
Who is your go-to person in the workplace for personal or professional guidance, & why them?
Siphokazi Mnqonywa my supervisor. She’s very patient, supportive, and always willing to help. She offers valuable insights, advice, and resources to help me navigate challenges or overcome obstacles.
If I encounter difficulties that hinder my performance at work, approaching my supervisor helps me address these issues promptly. She provides constructive feedback and helps me develop strategies to enhance my skills or overcome challenges, improving my work performance.
How did the programme contribute to your personal and professional growth?
- Skills development: this program helped me often develop a range of skills such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. These skills are essential for civil engineering students as I work in multidisciplinary teams and must effectively communicate and solve complex problems.
- Hands-on experience: this program provides hands-on experiences and practical learning opportunities. For civil engineering students, this involves participating in design and construction projects, gaining exposure to real-world scenarios, and developing technical skills.
- Personal growth: Through this program as an intern have the chance to explore my interests, discover my passions, and develop self-confidence.
- It enables me to approach challenges with resilience and adaptability and fosters a lifelong love for learning and continuous improvement.
- Exposure to industry: this program can expose civil engineering students to various aspects of the industry, such as sustainability, infrastructure development, and emerging technologies. This exposure allows students to gain a broader perspective of civil engineering and stimulates their curiosity to explore new areas within the field.
What suggestions do you have for improving the Y.E.S Initiative program in the future?
- Continuous training and skill development: Offer ongoing training and skill development programs aligned with the needs of youth participants. This could include workshops, seminars, and webinars to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen fields.
- Expand financial support: Explore avenues to secure additional funding and resources to support program participants. This could be in the form of scholarships, grants, or subsidies for educational and vocational training, as well as access to affordable housing or transportation options.
Is there anything else you would like to share, as well as suggestions about your experience in the Y.E.S Initiative program?
Being on a Y.E.S program has been the best thing in my career (civil engineering), it has given me the platform to showcase my skills and learn new skills to increase my work experience, personal growth, exposure to the industry.
Overall, this program offers civil engineering students a holistic growth experience by expanding their skills, providing practical knowledge, fostering personal development, encouraging networking, and exposing them to different facets of the industry.
Did the programme provide the necessary resources and support to achieve your goals? Please elaborate.
- Skill development opportunities: Y.E.S initiatives often offer resources and programs that assist initiates in developing the skills needed to achieve their goals. This includes training sessions, webinars, online courses, or access to a learning platform that offers relevant educational materials.
- Progress tracking and evaluation: Y.E.S initiatives often provide initiates with tools and techniques to track their progress towards their goals. These tracking mechanisms can help initiates stay accountable, analyse their achievements, identify areas of improvement, and adjust their strategies accordingly.
- Goal-setting workshops: Y.E.S initiatives often organise workshops to guide initiates in setting clear and achievable goals. These workshops help participants understand the importance of defining specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.
- Mentorship programs: Initiates receive access to experienced mentors who provide guidance, support, and advice along their journey. Mentors may have expertise in various areas related to the initiates’ goals and can offer valuable insights to help them overcome challenges and make progress.
What is your proudest moment/s in your Y.E.S Initiative journey to date?
- Comfort zone and achieve personal goals during the program.
- Successfully completing a project: My proudest moment was seeing the project come to life and make a meaningful impact on the community. (ROYAL BAFOKENG STADIUM renovation project).
What are your hobbies/Interests?
- Travelling: to explore new places, experience different cultures and create unforgettable memories.
- Participating in community events: Attend local festivals, fundraisers, or community gatherings. These events provide an opportunity to meet new people, learn about different cultures, and support local businesses.
Who has had the most significant influence in your life?
My dad was very educated; he had a degree in Medical Technology and worked at the National Health Laboratory Services as a Lab Manager. He also had businesses in livestock farming. He had the most influence in my life; he pushed me to do my best no matter what. He provided me with information, knowledge, and guidance, helping me to navigate through various challenges for me to succeed; he made sure that he pushed me to achieve well in anything I did. He passed on, but I continue with his teachings and aspire to succeed in my career and make him proud one day.
What life lesson/s would you have given your young self 5 years back?
- Don’t be afraid to take risks: In the past five years, I have learned that taking calculated risks is essential for personal and professional growth. Don’t let fear keep you from pursuing your dreams and trying new things.
- Embrace failure as a learning opportunity: Failure is not the end but a stepping stone towards success. Embrace my mistakes and failures, learn from them, and use them as motivation to keep pushing forward.
- Invest in meaningful relationships: Surround myself with positive, supportive, uplifting individuals who genuinely care about my well-being. Nurture those relationships and try to spend quality time with my loved ones.
- Be open to new experiences and perspectives: Stay curious and open-minded. There is so much to learn from different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. Be open to trying new things, travelling, and expanding my horizons.
What is your favourite South African company? And why?
Zutari, because I’ve never worked for any other company that is so big, and I’ve learned that Zutari places a strong emphasis on client satisfaction. The company strives to understand and meet the specific needs of its clients, ensuring that projects are completed successfully and on time.
It also places significant importance on sustainability, ensuring that its operations and projects have minimal environmental impact. The company actively promotes sustainable practices and offers environmentally friendly solutions.
What would you change or do different if you were president for one month?
Addressing unemployment: I would work towards creating new job opportunities by promoting investments in industries such as renewable energy, technology, and agriculture. Additionally, I would prioritise providing vocational training and education to enhance workforce skills.
Education is crucial for economic growth and social mobility. I would allocate more resources to improve the quality of education, increase investment in infrastructure, provide better teacher training, and prioritise access to education for marginalised groups.
What would you like the future generation to remember you with?
As a civil engineering intern, I would like the future generation to remember me as someone who positively impacted society through my work. I want to be recognised for designing and constructing sustainable infrastructure that improves people’s lives, while considering the environment and minimising negative impacts. I hope to be known for my dedication to safety, innovation, and the use of advanced technologies in civil engineering. I want to leave a legacy of making a difference in people’s lives and contributing to a better, more sustainable future for all.
What is your hope for the future?
As a civil engineering student, my hope for the future is to contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure for all communities. I aim to work on innovative projects prioritising eco-friendly practices, efficient resource management, and renewable energy sources.
Through my studies and practical experience, I hope to gain the knowledge and skills to tackle global challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and urbanisation. I want to be at the forefront of implementing sustainable solutions, ensuring that future generations can enjoy a safe, clean, and sustainable environment.
I aspire to be a part of the movement towards sustainable urbanisation, designing cities that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also environmentally conscious. This includes focusing on smart city technologies, green building practices, and efficient transportation systems.
