Viwe and Xolisa’s story on their Norec exchange
Two Inkululeko colleagues had the opportunity to go on a Norec exchange where they learned vital business skills from our collaborative partner, DEYI-K in Nairobi. When they return to Inkululeko in July 2020, these ideas will be integrated into Inkululeko’s social enterprise unit, “Common Ground Cafe.” Below, each colleague shared more about their experiences with Norec and what they gained during this exchange.
Viwe Thembelihle Nongcawula
What have you learned about yourself since engaging with Norec?
“I have been privileged to have become one of the Norec participants in partnership with Inkululeko and DEYI-K and I have learned a lot since. Starting from the Norec Youth Camp in Uganda, which has taught me so much about culture, leadership, stereotypes, tolerance, and self-respect gained when working with the youth and empowering their lives for the better.
Since engaging with Norec, I have learned that I am a strong, persistent individual. Empowering the youth in the slums has shown me how selfless and ambitious I can be for the good of others. I can now think out of the box. I reason more and I always have two or more ways of solving whatever situation I come across and that for me is a quality of growth and independence, which being a participant has helped me with.”
What have you learned about business that you can bring back to Inkululeko when you return to South Africa?
“After participating in training on entrepreneurship with DEYI-K it has changed how I view a lot of things, especially in business. I have learned the importance of the term “Vuk’uzenzele,” meaning “wake up and start/do it” as well as the importance of being business-minded and having the ambition to start something, whether or not you believe you will have a clientele.
Even though the youth here don't have enough resources, access to some of the facilities, and necessary equipment or funds that can assist them in starting their businesses they are still very business-minded and are full of rich business ideas. This has taught me that, having the ambition and a plan to start your business is most important because you might have everything given to you but if you do not have the passion and a goal, then you are not able to make a change.
I have also realized the importance of having both streets smart and book smart in business, because most of the girls that we were training haven’t finished school, but they have great ideas and great leadership skills and these two combined can make a successful business.
Looking at how Inkululeko is grooming and training the youth in schools, I’ve realized that introducing what we have learned at DEYI-K is going to be a game-changer. It is going to open a lot of opportunities for those who don’t get to make it university, as well as, the young entrepreneurs who didn’t get the chance to undergo entrepreneurship training.
I have looked at the opportunities that Inkululeko can access for the young entrepreneurs, like accessing funds for training and employability from government entities, like NYDA. And partnering with organizations, like HARAMBEE, to help assist our trained youth on getting jobs after they have been trained on employability. These and more are the opportunities that can best assist our Inkululeko organization in challenging the bigotry in previously disadvantaged places and bring about change and opportunities for the youth.”
Xolisa Jodwana
What have you learned about yourself since engaging with Norec?
“I have learned a lot while working with Norec, especially about the lives of Kenyans. For instance, I noticed that Kenyans love their language more than any other language.. If you sit with them and start having a conversation in English, they will stop speaking in English and start speaking in Kiswahili. From this, I further noted that Kenyans love their country and culture very much. Also, I realized how business-minded Kenyans are. They are not afraid to take risks in business especially when other businesses are selling the same thing.”
What have you learned about business that you can bring back to Inkululeko when you return to South Africa?
“I have learned that we could also change the strategy of introducing business ideas to our learners and the community by making Entrepreneurship classes. As this will help flourish the ideas of our people and our learners.
I also have a few ideas that I would love to add to the Common Ground Café from items I learned to make while here in Kenya. I highly believe that this could bring more customers to the Common Ground Café.”
If you would like to learn more about Norec, DEYI-K and its partnership with Inkululeko, Read about it here →