A PARTNERSHIP between the youth-oriented non-profit organisation, Nelson Mandela Bay YMCA, and the non-government organisation, Ray Mhlaba Skills Training Centre, led to a great opportunity being presented to a young man from Barcelona in Gelvandale.
The beginning of 2022 saw 19-year-old Sheldon Davids take a huge leap towards achieving his culinary dream of someday becoming an esteemed chef by enrolling in a hospitality course at the Ray Mhlaba Skills Centre.
The skills centre that has operated for more than 15 years in Gqeberha offers various SETA accredited vocational and entrepreneurial programmes to youth between the ages 18 and 25, at no cost.
The partnership was initiated by Nelson Mandela Bay’s YMCA CEO, Lerato Lebopo, who, upon realising Sheldon’s potential, contacted Ray Mhlaba Skills Centre to secure him a place in one of the organisation’s programmes that would help him realise his dreams.
“I know Sheldon to be a committed young man with hopes to improve his life, from seeing him religiously attend programmes that empower and equip youth with life skills at our centre in Parkside,” said Lebopo.
“I’ve always been determined to make whatever vision our participants have become a reality, which is why we introduced our participants to alternative activities that allowed them to gain more skills.
“We eventually started running culinary lessons which were facilitated by Chef Phakamisa Kolisi (Ray Mhlaba alumnae) and Chef Miranda Hloba, who both sang Sheldon’s praises after their first few lessons with the youth.
“That was enough for me to know I had to get him in touch with the right people, pronto.
“At the YMCA we strive to effect a positive impact in the lives of the youth we work with.
“Young people like Sheldon have so much potential but lack access to opportunities because of their backgrounds. We empower, inspire and help them achieve all they are destined to.”
Upon finishing his 12-month course in hospitality, Davids plans on working on perfecting his craft and ultimately become one the Nelson Mandela Bay’s hospitality cognoscenti.
– WRITTEN BY FION MFENQA, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS, NELSON MANDELA BAY YMCA)
