Where it started
Francina Mampho Muhlanga grew up in the small town of Phagameng in Modimolle, located near the southern edge of the Waterberg Massif in the Limpopo province. Blessed with abundant natural beauty, Limpopo’s 49.9% unemployment rate is the third highest in the country. As a young mother, Francina’s immediate goal was to earn a living and provide for her family. It is no wonder she jumped at the opportunity to apply for work through the Seriti Institute and the Social Employment Fund.
Seriti and SEF
The Seriti Institute is a development facilitation agency. In the past year, their impactful efforts have left a lasting mark through the successful implementation of Public Employment Programmes (PEPs) under the Social Employment Fund (SEF) and the National Youth Service (NYS), integral components of the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES). Seriti has been instrumental in creating over 8000 work opportunities across South Africa through innovative initiatives like Work.Learn.Grow and aRe Bapaleng programmes.
Seriti’s initiatives are centred around crucial areas such as food security, nutrition, environmental sustainability, cleaning and greening, and early childhood development (ECD). They place a special focus on parenting and caregiving, along with community mapping, surveys, and data collection. They are committed to fostering positive change in hard-to-reach communities nationally, dedicated to making a meaningful impact through transformative activities.
SEF participation
Francina joined Seriti as a SEF participant in July 2022, working with the local implementing partner Organisation Hands-On (OHO). She became a Nutrition Ambassador, dedicating herself to acquiring new knowledge and skills in the area of nutrition. As she engaged in various training workshops and practical activities, Francina and her partner decided to establish a homestead garden, growing cabbages, spinach, and beetroot seedlings provided by the OHO. Her newly acquired skills reduced the financial burden of having to buy fresh produce.
Impact on household
With a dual-income household, Francina and her partner could invest in their son Lesego’s education and started saving for his dream of studying to become a Scientist. This shift from survival mode to strengthening family bonds marked a significant improvement in their quality of life.
Educational aspirations
Motivated by these positive changes, Francina seized the opportunity to further her studies. Despite completing just her National Senior Certificate, she enrolled in a SETA Accredited Marketing Course (Level 05) facilitated by Chanrose Training. Her in-service training in OHO’s marketing team included the role of Social Media Manager and Content Creator.
SEF’s transformative impact
Expressing gratitude for the SEF programme, Francina highlighted its crucial financial support, enabling her to meet her basic needs. Her journey from a programme participant to a marketing graduate stands as a testament to the transformative potential of initiatives like SEF. Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a Level 6 marketing course and hopes to find employment within the agricultural sector in her community.
Conclusion
Francina’s journey illustrates the transformative impact of SEF, unlocking opportunities that were once out of reach for her, and her family. The SEF programme not only provided immediate financial relief but also fuelled ambitions for economic freedom and community progress. Francina’s story demonstrates how important public employment programmes are for young South Africans desperate to get out of the poverty cycle.
