Cultivating futures: seeds of change with Multotec

Multotec is tackling the challenge of youth unemployment by creating opportunities through learnerships. Recently, a new group of unemployed learners was inducted into our New Venture Creation NQF 4 programme. This includes seven learners who began their NQF 2 journey in 2024 and have now advanced to NQF 4 – a testament to their hard work and the growth path our learnerships provide.

We are also committed to supporting unemployed youth living with disabilities by equipping them with skills to become successful SMMEs (Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises). Fourteen learners have been placed across two hubs in Benoni – seven at the AgriHub and seven at the Ceramic Hub. At the Ceramic Hub, learners work with clay to create, glaze, fire, and decorate sellable products, which they showcase at market days. At the AgriHub, learners gain hands-on experience in soil cultivation and crop production, while also developing essential skills in customer service and money management during market days.

I am Germinah Mkhabela and this is my story.

I am a Multotec learner based at AgriHub since May 2024. In January 2020, I fell seriously ill. A painful sore on my leg worsened, and after medical tests, doctors informed me that my leg would have to be amputated to stop the infection from spreading. On 4th February 2020, I underwent the operation – an event that changed my life. 

Since then, my strength has come from God and the love of my children. I committed myself to improving my life and theirs, while serving God. In 2024, I heard about the Progression learnerships and applied for the agriculture programme. I was accepted into the New Venture Creation (SMME) NQF 2 in agriculture, which I completed in May 2025. I am currently pursuing New Venture Creation NQF 4 in agriculture, and I plan to start an agricultural business with my neighbour, who also has a passion for farming and poultry.

Our short-term project will include crop production (spinach, lettuce, onion, pumpkin) and poultry farming (egg layers and broilers). Long term, we aim to establish orchards of mango, avocado and citrus in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, where land is more accessible and conditions are ideal for farming. I have already learned so much – from planting seeds to nurturing healthy crops ready for the table, and I am deeply grateful to Progression and Multotec for this opportunity.

I am Zelida Manamela and this is my story.

I am 27 years old, and my education journey began at J.E. Malepe Secondary School, where I matriculated in 2015. Afterwards, I completed a Grade C security certificate (2019) and an End User Computing certificate (2020). In 2024, I joined the New Venture Creation NQF 2 learnership, sponsored by Multotec. Through this programme, I have gained valuable farming knowledge and hands-on skills such as planting, composting, weeding, nurturing, and mulching.

In June 2025, I began the New Venture Creation NQF 4 learnership, also sponsored by Multotec. After completing this, I plan to pursue further studies in computing and office administration to become an office administrator.

Life often takes us to places we never imagined, but we must make the best of the opportunities presented to us. I am grateful to Multotec for the skills they are teaching us – especially the ability to feed ourselves through farming.