RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - In an interview with Eben le Roux, fascilitator at the Work 4 A Living Job Centre earlier this month, Rustenburg Herald quoted Le Roux as saying that “Work is sacred, it is not a burden. Use your gifts and skills.” Work 4 A Living is a non-profit organisation with an international footprint on three continents - the Rustenburg centre opening approximately one year ago.
The centre offers study opportunities in different courses, but their biggest investment is in the Job Excellence Programme, which focuses on professional CV writing skills, interviewing skills and budgeting and financial savviness (which includes starting your own business).
This is exactly what husband and wife duo, Thando and Charmaine Haltesi have opted to do. Thando, who is originally from the Eastern Cape and Charmaine, hailing from Cape Town, have not only overcome cultural barriers in their marriage and family environments, but have also navigated the struggles of having to enter the job market and thus, decided to take their future into their own hands. The couple had both completed the Job Excellence Programme before coming to Rustenburg, and in a country with such a high unemployment rate, struggling to find work, used the skills that they had acquired in the Programme, to work for them.
Not leaving them out in the cold, so to speak, Work 4 A Living Rustenburg made their hands strong by offering them use of their premises when they came up with the idea of selling pizza to earn a living. In a world where “Every man for himself” is the rule of thumb, it is rare to find a study and job centre that not only trains its students, but also supports and guides them long after a course has, well, run its course.
According to Le Roux, “Students are taught to take ownership,” however, it is also clear that these are words that are backed up by prolonged “investment” in the person behind the course. A pizza oven was gifted to the couple and a nearby local business’ delivery scooters were arranged to assist with delivery - and Pizza Fridays was born! However, in an economy that is already struggling, every pizza that is sold is only a drop in the ocean and Rustenburgers are encouraged to support local businesses - no matter how big or small, because, in the end, Hope (as the couple’s young daughter has aptly been named) will prevail!
The next Job Excellence Programme commences on 1 August 2024. For more information, contact 069 74 8133 or email
