At BANKSETA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) that was held last year, Jabulile Radebe stood up and spoke from the heart: “Thank you, BANKSETA, for the support that has changed my life.” These were words more than gratitude. They told the story of a young woman whose life trajectory was altered by opportunity, turning a long-held dream into a lived reality.
“I grew up in Zamdela, Sasolburg, and I’ve always liked working with people,” Jabulile says. “That’s why I studied Human Resources Management at the Vaal University of Technology (VUT). I wanted to contribute to positive workplace environments.”
But even with her qualifications, Jabulile faced a common challenge for young graduates. “I had the knowledge, but I lacked the workplace experience that many employers require,” she says. “I needed an opportunity to apply what I had learnt at university and to develop practical workplace skills.”
During this period, Jabulile had completed her studies but, like many young graduates, found herself locked out of opportunities that required workplace experience. To survive, she took on any work available, including a role as a teacher’s assistant, simply to make ends meet. While this work provided temporary financial relief, it kept her far from her dream of a career in Human Resources field and offered no way to apply her training or gain the skills she needed to succeed.
The turning point came through after a two-year BANKSETA-supported internship, which Jabulile describes as “life-changing.” For someone with an underprivileged background, the programme was a major opportunity. “My brother helped support my education after our parents passed away when I was young,” she says, “and this internship provided me the chance to make all that sacrifice worthwhile.”
Over the course of two years, the internship provided Jabulile with hands-on experience across the Human Resources value chain, helping Jabulile to grow in confidence and professionalism. “I developed confidence, professionalism, and a deeper understanding of HR operations,” she says, an experience that eventually led to permanent employment, giving her career stability and financial independence she had long strived for.
“Being permanently employed gave me career stability, professional growth, and financial independence, and I’m grateful to BANKSETA,” Jabulile says. “And it doesn’t just help me. It supports my family. In a country with a high unemployment rate, employing one person makes a real difference for several family members.”
To other young people chasing their dreams, Jabulile offers advice: “Stay committed, work hard, and maintain a positive learning attitude. Every opportunity is a chance to learn, grow, and build your future, make the most of it!”