Katleho, 24, from Johannesburg, struggled to make ends meet before joining the YES Program. While unemployed, he resold sneakers to support himself but was unable to fund his passion for Information Technology or further his studies. Despite the challenges, Katleho dreamed of personal and professional development to secure a brighter future.
In 2021, Katleho’s journey took a turn when he joined the Babcock-sponsored YES Program. He was hosted by Innovative Knowledge Worx (IKWorx) in Pretoria as a Systems Developer. During the program, he worked on maintaining servers, building websites, developing mobile applications, and configuring databases. He also gained valuable experience working directly with clients, which enhanced his customer relations and technical skills. Additionally, he explored graphic design, adding a creative edge to his expertise.
The program was transformative, helping Katleho master his craft and giving him the confidence to launch his own business, Reatlehile Innovations Pty Ltd. Despite being retrenched after his time at IKWorx, Katleho turned his business into his primary source of income. He now hopes to grow Reatlehile Innovations into a successful enterprise that creates job opportunities for other young people.
Katleho envisions a future where he collaborates with Afrika Tikkun Services to mentor learners from the same program that shaped his career. He credits Babcock for providing hope and opportunity when he needed it most. “Babcock showed me the light at the end of the tunnel and helped me transform my passion into a livelihood,” he says.
