Tumelo, 28, from Witbank, Mpumalanga, experienced significant hardships before joining the YES Program. After recovering from an injury, she struggled with unemployment, financial stress, and emotional challenges, which impacted her self-esteem and strained her relationships.
In June 2023, Tumelo joined the Babcock-sponsored YES Program, supported as one of the Top 50 champions of youth employment. Initially, she was placed at Zawe Solutions as a call centre agent before moving to her current role as an Office Administrator at Dermacell Cosmetics.
Throughout the program, Tumelo gained valuable technical skills, including proficiency in software, programming languages, and data analysis tools. She also developed key soft skills, such as communication, leadership, time management, and problem-solving. The program expanded her knowledge of business operations, marketing, and finance, while establishing connections with industry professionals and peers that could lead to future opportunities.
The program had a profound impact, boosting Tumelo’s confidence and allowing her to contribute effectively in her role at Dermacell Cosmetics. She is now pursuing her dream of entrepreneurship, working on a sustainable fashion brand in the cosmetics industry that aims to make an environmental impact.
Tumelo expresses her gratitude to Babcock for its sponsorship and investment in youth potential. “Your support is more than financial—it’s a vote of confidence in our abilities,” she says. To other unemployed youth, Tumelo encourages perseverance: “Believe in yourself. Every setback is a chance to learn and grow. You are not alone; we are here to help you achieve your dreams.”
