Agcobile’s Path to Success with the Phakama! Youth Activation Programme
In South Africa, the journey from education to employment is often fraught with challenges. With youth unemployment rates at a staggering 43%, many young individuals struggle to find a foothold in the job market.
The Phakama! Youth Activation Programme aims to bridge this gap, offering essential skills and opportunities to youth who are otherwise excluded from the formal job market. Through our targeted streams, including barista training, we equip young people with both the technical and personal and professional development training needed to thrive in the workforce. Agcobile Mhlambiso, a 23-year-old from the Langa, is one such example. When she joined our barista training intake in January 2023, Agcobile had been facing the common hurdle of finding meaningful employment. However, after completing the Phakama! Barista Training Programme, Agcobile’s future took an exciting new direction.
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Agcobile’s story is a testament to the power of skills development programmes in providing youth with the tools they need to break the cycle of unemployment. After completing the programme, she was able to secure a job at Bootleggers, a popular coffee shop in the Western Cape. Agcobile loves her work and describes her favourite part of the job as seeing customers happy with the coffees she creates.
By April 2023, Agcobile had not only completed her Barista training but had also received valuable professional and personal development training that boosted her confidence and equipped her with the skills needed for the service industry. According to Annie Smith, Programme Manager, Agcobile’s hardworking attitude and natural, friendly demeanour made her a perfect fit for the service industry. “She is a natural,” Annie says, “her commitment and willingness to learn really shone through during the training. Agcobile took the opportunity given to her by Just Grace and made the most of it. We are very proud of the way she has put the things she learned into practise, and has excelled in her field.”
A CHAMPIONSHIP VICTORY
In November 2024, Agcobile’s dedication and hard work were tested when she entered the Bootleggers Western Cape Barista Championship. Agcobile emerged victorious, taking home the championship title. This achievement stands as a testament to her resilience, talent, and the practical impact of skills development programmes like Phakama! in opening doors to meaningful and lasting employment opportunities.
A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD
Agcobile’s journey reflects what is possible when young people are given the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to succeed. From struggling to find a way into the workforce, Agcobile is now a shining example of the power of perseverance and the transformative potential of skills training. Her story reinforces the importance of programmes like Phakama! in empowering youth, fostering self-sufficiency, and providing a path out of the NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) cycle.
At Just Grace, we are immensely proud of Agcobile’s accomplishments. Her success is a reminder that with the right support, determination, and a love for what you do, anything is possible.
