Youth Month 2024 arrived soon after South Africans headed to the polls and celebrated 30 years of freedom and democracy. Although today’s youth no longer face the same struggles as their predecessors, our country grapples with the significant challenge of youth unemployment.
Despite various interventions to accelerate youth entry into the economy, the unemployment rate for young individuals (aged 15-34) currently stands at 45.5%, compared to the national average of 32.9% in the first quarter of 2024. Equally concerning is the graduate unemployment rate, which increased by 2.3% to 11.8% in Q1 2024 from 9.6% in Q4 2023.
Professional services firm PwC identified a skills mismatch between companies and graduates as a key reason for graduate unemployment in South Africa. This issue is characterised by technical under-skilling relative to employer expectations. Additionally, the “experience dividend” shows that youth with experience outperform those without by a margin of 4 to 1. Initiatives such as experiential learning, apprenticeships, and other workplace exposure are crucial in addressing youth unemployment.
As part of its commitment to addressing graduate unemployment and upskilling youth, Remote Metering Solutions (RMS), South Africa’s largest privately-owned utility network manager, introduced the RMS Talent Factory earlier this year. This 12-month experiential program aims to narrow the skills gap in the utility sector by offering practical experience to 12 recently graduated individuals.
RMS CEO Chris van der Walt states, “The Talent Factory is our answer to cultivating a pool of adept young graduates by exposing them to all aspects of utility management. We believe that our Talent Factory graduates will become a highly sought-after talent in the utility management sector, ready for deployment at future employers.”
In addition, RMS also onboarded 22 young people from the Youth Employment Service (YES) for industry exposure. Chris emphasises, “Young people in South Africa have a crucial role in shaping the future of our society as they are key agents of change. By investing in our country’s youth, we are nurturing tomorrow’s leaders in utility management. We have lofty expectations for the young people currently gaining experiential learning and skills in our business and look forward to seeing how they thrive in the utility sector. Making a measurable impact on people and society is no longer a business imperative – it is simply the right thing to do.”
RMS proudly introduces Sinhle Clinton Mashabane and Shilombe Mahungu, both graduates selected for the 2024 Talent Factory.
We asked them how this experiential programme had changed their lives and how they believed their generation of young people would change the world.
Meet Clinton: Financial Management, a Passion for Music, and a Vision for Sustainability 24-year-old Sinhle Clinton Mashabane prefers to go by his middle name and cherishes his upbringing near Nelspruit in Mpumalanga. Raised by his mother in a caring, Christian family, he developed strong values and a passion for music. As the only son and firstborn,
Clinton embraced responsibility and leadership roles early in life. He plays several instruments, and his family’s rich musical heritage and involvement in his church’s music ministry shaped his life.
After completing his secondary education, Clinton pursued Financial Management at Tshwane South TVET College. Drawn by his fascination with finance and business, he chose this institution for its practical, hands-on approach.
Clinton describes himself as a compassionate, self-driven, positive, and productive team member at RMS. He states, “The Talent Factory offered me a unique chance to learn from experienced professionals, gain hands-on experience, and be part of an innovative team. Since joining RMS, I have grown professionally, developing skills and expertise in the utility industry.”
Clinton’s typical day at RMS involves productive conversations, teamwork, and celebrating successes. He values a growth mindset and continuous learning from others. Aligned with RMS’s mission, Clinton aims to guide clients toward a sustainable, worry-free utility future. “I am concerned about climate change, pollution, and waste management, and I believe in the power of collective efforts to drive sustainability. I see my generation as innovators, developing groundbreaking solutions through technology and collaboration,” he says.
Beyond work, Clinton is a keen investor and follower of financial markets. In his spare time, he analyses market trends and learns about innovative investment strategies, enhancing his economic understanding.
Inspired by people and experiences around him, Clinton values advice from Norman Vincent Peale’s iconic book “The Power of Positive Thinking,” which taught him that changing thoughts can change the world.
His journey reflects his dedication to personal and professional growth, which is driven by his passions for finance, music, and a sustainable future.
Meet Shilombe: Navigating Career Choices and Striving for Positive Change
At 26, Shilombe from Giyani, Limpopo, is actively shaping her career. She draws inspiration from her parents: her mother, an office-based educator, and her father, the Deputy Director of Finance at a hospital. Her family’s strong educational and professional values are also evident in her sister, an auditor, and her brother, who is pursuing a BSc degree at Wits.
Growing up in Giyani, Shilombe developed a keen interest in entrepreneurship and financial literacy. This, with her affinity for tax matters, led her to pursue a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Taxation. She views entrepreneurship as a means for societal upliftment and believes that those with the means should strive to encourage entrepreneurial growth. “We should be willing to provide the necessary financial support that will contribute to improving the financial literacy skills of entrepreneurs,” she says.
Impressed by RMS’s reputation in the market, Shilombe joined the Talent Factory to explore a new industry and expand her knowledge. Reflecting on her experience thus far, she emphasises the importance of curiosity and continuous learning. “Working in an office environment is not as scary as I initially thought, and I embrace the dynamic nature of this industry,” she says. Deeply invested in societal issues, particularly environmental sustainability and social justice, she stresses the need for proactive measures to address systemic challenges and believes her generation’s unwillingness to waiver will make a difference. “What I have
come to notice about my generation is our ability to take a firm stand on issues that matter,” she says.
With a love for dancing and an unwavering commitment to excellence and continuous learning, Shilombe is on a journey toward making a profound impact in the world.