Sizanani mentors

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Sizanani mentors

We are professionals who mentor Gr 9 to 12 learners from Alexandra township high schools (Johannesbu In 2015, 90 mentors have assisted 123 learners.

The mentorship programme was started by Linda Giuricich, the director of Community Affairs at St Mary’s and Laurence Leblanc, the manager of the international division of RATP, a French company operating the Gautrain in 2007. South African and foreign professionals have mentored learners from Alexandra, Johannesburg who attend Saturday classes at St Mary’s School in Waverley. The programme caters

for 300 Grade 10, Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners. The learners are selected from the five high schools in Alexandra. The learners on the programme are also exposed to career information and lifeskills sessions. The Grade 12 are helped to apply at university and get bursaries. Funding is also secured to assist top achieving learners with bursaries. In 2015, funding received from the governement from Wallonia Brussels (French speaking Belgium), the RATP Foudation, Bombela, the SA subsidiary of the Belgium company Zetes and private sponsors have allowed us to give full bursaries or partial funding to 20 students at the University of Johannesburg, Wits and TUT.

07/09/2026

“Before my job interview, I had already visited C-Best shop in Diepsloot to get glasses, sponsored by Sizanani. And now, I will work as their sale assistant in Alexandra, from October !", says Khuselwa Paul, a financial planning TUT graduate.
She was hired by Tom Vanneste, a Belgium citizen, who set up a social company to sell affordable prescription glasses (less than 500 rands, test included) in townships and also offer some for free to Ngos ! His first shop in Diepsloot was opened in June. The second will start operating in October in Alex !
Another Sizanani alumni, Matidi Mathekga (graduate in Sociology and linguistics) was also hired by Tom. Khuselwa and Matidi have been part of our “Alexandra graduates employability program”, funded by the Group of the RATP Foundation, to help our job seekers to find work. “The guidance I received through AGEP helped me to prepare for this great opportunity”, says Khuselwa.
It is also the result our partnernship with C-Best (both Sizanani an C-Best founders are from Belgium).
Sizanani has already bought 26 pairs of glasses from C-Best for our learners and alumni, and many more will be bought- or donated - when the shop opens in October. Later this month, C-Best will screen all our 300 high schools learners from Alexandra who are attending Saturday classes at St Mary's.

02/09/2026

Our girls got to experience the NBA! 🏀💜

On Saturday, 22 August, 10 of our Grade 9–12 girl learners had an unforgettable experience at the 'Her Time To Play – Leadership & STEM Workshop' at the NBA Africa offices in Sandton!

And what a day it was!

The girls got to step inside the NBA Africa offices, learn about the NBA's history, participate in Math Hoops, explore leadership, and hear from inspiring women working across fields including STEM, veterinary science, virology, marketing, entertainment, technology and sport.

It was a wonderful reminder that a career connected to sport doesn't necessarily mean being an athlete. There are opportunities in technology, data, marketing, business, science, media, leadership and so much more!

A very special thank you to Sizanani mentor, Mthoko Madonda (Social Responsibility & Player Programs Lead at NBA Africa) for inviting our girls and giving them the opportunity to experience something new.

We are also so grateful to all the guest speakers who inspired our learners and shared their journeys:

Baleseng Dlamini (Marketing & Partnerships Management, NBA Africa), Vuyelwa Mpakanyiswa (Producer & Strategic Brand Architect), Dr Farhahna Allie (Senior Lecturer & Researcher in Biochemistry, University of Johannesburg), Dr Charlotte Nkuna (Senior Executive & Veterinarian, SANParks), Dr Faith Peta (Virologist & Vaccinologist), Snothando Konwabo (Content Producer & MC, NBA Africa) & Khotso Matlou (Senior Decision Analytics Analyst specialising in data, AI and emerging technologies)

And then came this beautiful reflection from our Grade 9 learner, Miyelani Rikhotso:

“I came at NBA with the mind of giving up and a low self-esteem but went out to that door with the mind of not giving up. If I fall, I can stand up without being scared of being judged or what other people will say.”

She also discovered that you can combine a love for maths with basketball through Math Hoops, learned about careers she didn't know existed, connected with other young people and, most importantly, left with a renewed belief in herself.

That is what exposure can do.

Sometimes a young person simply needs the opportunity to walk through a different door and see what is waiting on the other side.

Thank you, NBA Africa, for opening that door for our girls.

24/08/2026

On Friday, Innocentia Ntombela, project manager at Sizanani received 4 laptops donated by Close the Gap, in partnership with Candriam. Close the Gap is a NPO launched by Olivier Vanden Eyde, to sell at low cost and donate pre-owned laptops to needy communities. They have opened a workshop near Alex, where they have already trained 7 of Sizanani alumni in cleaning and checking the laptops (mostly imported from Belgium). Innocentia Ntombela from Sizanani has also bought several laptops for our students in need. The new ones will be donated to our alumni or used for our upcoming AI competition. We are so happy about this win-win partnership between 2 Ngos founded by 2 Belgium citizens !

21/08/2026

🌟 An Inspiring Career Exposure!

On 17 July 2026, 30 of our Grade 9–12 learners had an amazing opportunity to visit HemoCue, Beckman Coulter, Cepheid & Radiometer during their school holidays. 🎓✨

It was a day filled with fun, learning, inspiration, and new career possibilities! Our learners got to explore different career paths, learn about the workplace, and engage with professionals.

One of our Grade 12 learners, Edward Aphane, reflected:
“I learned three important lessons: the importance of passion, the value of networking, and the need for self-awareness.”

We are incredibly grateful to HemoCue, Beckman Coulter, Cepheid & Radiometer for their warm hospitality and for taking the time to educate and inspire our young people. 🙏🏽❤️

Experiences like these remind our learners that their background does not define their future, their dreams, choices and determination can shape it. 🚀

Thank you, for helping our learners dream bigger!🌍

18/08/2026

LAST CALL: Come Join the Sizanani Family! 💜🧡💚

Our final mentor induction for 2026 is coming up, and we'd love to welcome a few more caring adults into our growing Sizanani family.

📅 Saturday, 5 September 2026
📍 St Mary's School, Waverley
🕛 12H00

We're currently at 85 mentors supporting our Grade 10–12 learners, and we'd love to reach 100+ mentors before the end of the year! 🎉

But here's something we don't always talk about...

Mentorship isn't only about what you give to a young person. It's also about what you gain.

Experienced mentor Vanessa Makhutle describes her experience beautifully:

“I personally grew through this process — to open my heart to helping someone else, but also to be an influential part of her life.”

From introducing her mentee to breathwork and positive affirmations, to discovering her love of sport and enjoying time together outdoors, Vanessa's relationship with her mentee became about so much more than guidance. It became a journey of connection, discovery and growth — for both of them.

That's the beauty of mentorship. 🤝

You don't need to have all the answers. You don't need to be a counsellor or teacher. And mentorship is not a financial obligation.

You simply need to be willing to show up, listen, encourage and share your experiences with a young person.

So, if you've ever thought “Maybe I should become a mentor…” — consider this your sign!

Our final induction for 2026 is on 5 September.

Come meet us, ask questions and discover what being a Sizanani mentor could mean for YOU — and for a young person who could use someone in their corner.

📩 Interested? Send us a message or contact us (details on the poster).

And if mentoring isn't for you, tag someone who you think would make a wonderful mentor! 💜🧡💚

15/08/2026

On Saturday, 1 August 2026, our Grade 8 & 9 learners from the Sizanani Mentorship Programme / Ikusasa Lethu Programme, together with learners from Alex Black Poison Football Club, participated in our annual Life Orientation (LO) Sessions at St Mary’s School, Waverley.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible guest speakers who gave up their Saturday to educate, encourage, and engage our young people:

✨ Finding your purpose, setting goals & staying motivated – Thabang Dutja (Sizanani alumnus), Sthembile Thusi (Sizanani alumna) & Thabang Mabaso 📱 Bullying & Cyberbullying – Keneuwe Molotsi (Sizanani alumna) 🗣️ What If Someone Told You “No”? & The Power of Speaking Up – Shonda McLaughlin (US Fulbright Scholar) 🧠 Managing Stress & Anxiety – Nina Levine (SACAP) 🌱 Teenage Pregnancy & Substance Abuse – Thandile Ntinganti & Ntswaki Mogadima (City of Johannesburg) ❤️ Healthy Relationships & Friendships - Slingsby Mda (mentor, Founder of Boys 2 Men Bootcamp)

The learners were actively involved, asked thoughtful questions, and left with practical tools they can apply in their daily lives.

Mbuso Hadebe, Grade 8 learner and Captain of Alex Black Poison FC, shared after the Managing Stress & Anxiety session:

“At first, I did not understand the difference between stress and anxiety, but now I do… I learnt that when I am experiencing stress, I can take deep breaths, take a short walk, listen to calming music, or talk to someone supportive such as my coach or teammates.”

Grade 8 learner Kedibone Ramabulana also reflected:

“I learnt how to manage my time. I learnt that when someone says NO it doesn’t mean they are negative; it can mean they are trying to protect you.”

Thank you to every speaker for investing in the confidence, wellbeing, and future of our learners. 💙

12/08/2026

3 New Mentors. 4 New Mentorships. One Step Closer to 100! 💜🧡💚

This past Saturday, we were delighted to welcome 3 new volunteer mentors to the Sizanani family!

Because of their willingness to give back to the youth, 4 of our Grade 10 & 11 learners have now been matched with a mentor — with one of our new mentors generously taking on two mentees.

To our new mentors: thank you for choosing to invest your time, encouragement and life experience in the next generation. Your dedication reminds our learners that they do not have to walk their journey alone.

At Sizanani, mentorship is not about financial support. It is about showing up, listening, guiding, motivating and helping a young person believe in their future.

📊 We are currently sitting on 85 mentors for our Grade 10–12 mentees, and our goal is to reach at least 100 mentors before our last 2026 induction.

📅 Our final mentor induction for 2026 takes place on Saturday, 5 September 2026 at 12H00.

The One More Mentor Challenge: One referral. One mentor. One more young person with someone in their corner.

If you have ever considered mentoring (or know someone who would make a wonderful mentor) we would love to hear from you.

🙏 A like, comment and repost can help this opportunity reach someone who may become a life-changing mentor for a young person.

29/07/2026

On 16 July, 15 of our top learners had the opportunity to visit Absa Corporate and Investment Banking for an immersive experience with the Risk Department.

The day began with a welcome and registration, after which learners were paired with Absa employees for a job-shadowing experience across various business areas. This gave them a rare chance to observe professionals at work, ask questions, and gain firsthand insight into the different roles involved in the risk cycle.

The learners then shared lunch together before attending an inspiring presentation by graduates from the Absa Risk Graduate Programme, who spoke about their career journeys and the opportunities available within the field.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Chad Julius, Change Manager, for helping us organise this valuable visit, to the entire Risk team for generously sharing their knowledge and time, and to Solomon Sikhosana, Chief Risk Officer and Sizanani alumni mentor, for taking time out of his busy schedule to engage with our learners.

One of our Grade 12 learners, Oamogetswe Matlala, reflected:

“Going to Absa was a learning curve because it taught me more about the career I want to venture into… I also learnt that there is coding in risk, which was something I did not think was there.”

Experiences like these help young people connect classroom learning with real careers and broaden their understanding of the many paths available to them.

Thank you, Absa, for investing in the future of our learners! Absa South Africa

23/07/2026

🎭 An inspiring afternoon at Joburg Theatre!

A heartfelt thank you to Space.Com at Joburg Theatre for generously sponsoring complimentary tickets for our talent show learners, volunteer alumni coaches, members of the Sizanani team and mentors to attend Taxi Wars.

The production was an incredible blend of drama, dance, music and storytelling, offering an honest and thought-provoking look into the realities of South Africa's taxi industry. Through compelling performances, the audience experienced not only the violence often associated with the industry, but also its impact on families and individuals who find themselves with few economic alternatives.

The experience left a lasting impression on our learners.

Amkele Ndongeni (gr 8) reflected:

“I really enjoyed the show because I learnt some things about acting, and the absolutely nice part is when MaMthembu was singing. Her voice was absolutely fantastic! Special message for the actors: keep it up and I like your energy. I felt like joining you because it was interesting.” - Amkele Ndongeni gr 8

Alumni coach, Jose Bila, also said:

"The actors connected with the audience... Such an outstanding performance and a constant reminder that theatre is the core of what art needs."

As a programme that encourages creativity and self-expression, exposing our learners to professional theatre is an invaluable part of their journey. Seeing the passion, discipline and storytelling on stage inspired many of our young performers—especially after recently taking part in our own production, GomTown!.

Thank you once again to Space.Com and Joburg Theatre for making this memorable experience possible.

21/07/2026

🧬 A day our Grade 11 learners will never forget!

Learning goes beyond the classroom, and our recent visit to the University of Pretoria proved just that.

Our Grade 11 learners had the opportunity to participate in exciting DNA extraction activities, tour research laboratories, and meet university students and researchers who shared their passion for science and their academic journeys.

The visit gave our learners valuable insight into the many opportunities available in STEM and inspired them to dream even bigger about their futures.

💬 Learner Reflection

"The DNA activities and laboratory experience made science come alive for me. Meeting the students and researchers inspired me to work harder and believe that a future in STEM is possible."

We are incredibly grateful to DIPLOMICS for connecting us, and to everyone who made this experience possible. Opportunities like these inspire curiosity, build confidence, and encourage our learners to see themselves as the scientists, innovators, and leaders of tomorrow.

Thank you for investing in the future of our young people! 🔬

Address

Johannesburg
2090

Telephone

+27837507735

Website

http://www.sizanani.org.za/

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