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BUSINESS NEWS - While Mandela Day encourages us to dedicate 67 minutes to making a difference, meaningful change is not limited to a single day. It is created through consistent investment in people, communities and giving young people opportunities.

At Dotsure, youth empowerment is built around creating Soft Landings for young people; helping them move from uncertainty into opportunity through employment, mentorship, skills development and meaningful career opportunities. 

An opportunity can change everything for a young person, creating a ripple effect where those who receive support are empowered to support others and give back.

Youth employment: turning potential to progress

South Africa’s youth unemployment challenge highlights the importance of creating meaningful pathways into the workforce. While many young people have talent, ambition and qualifications, they often need access to workplace experience, career guidance and support to help turn potential into progress.

At Dotsure, creating Soft Landings is about more than giving back; it is also about creating real opportunities that equip young people with the confidence, skills and support they need to build sustainable futures. Through partnerships, workplace exposure and entry-level opportunities, the company helps bridge the gap between education and employment.

Skills and career development: building kindness through opportunity

When businesses create opportunities for young people entering the workforce, they do more than open doors; they help them discover their own potential and inspire them to create opportunities for others.

For Lisakhanya Pendu, that journey started before she even joined Dotsure. While working with an NPO, she attended a workplace readiness programme hosted by the Dotsure People Department. During mock interviews with more than 200 participants, she was selected as one of the top candidates. “That experience boosted my confidence and showed me what was possible,” she says. Today, Lisakhanya is a Life Internal Sales Consultant at Dotsure.

 From left to right: Asanda Ntsomi, Nondumiso Nhleko (General Manager: People), Lisakhanya Pendu, Damian Elliott, Piwe Bomvu, and Melisse Hilligenn.

Mentorship and opportunity: empowering young people to pay it forward

Lisakhanya’s story is shared by other young professionals who have grown through the company’s commitment to learning and development.

Asanda Ntsomi joined the team as a Marketing intern in 2023. Today, she is a Social Media Manager, managing campaigns, building online communities and helping bring the brand’s voice to life. “The moment I realised I truly belonged was when I started confidently contributing ideas during meetings and seeing those ideas come to life in campaigns,” she says.

Piwe Bomvu, who started as a Marketing intern before becoming a Marketing Project Manager, found that growth came from being trusted, challenged and supported. “My team created an environment that made me feel safe enough to learn, grow, make mistakes or fail because that’s all part of the journey,” she explains.

These experiences reflect the power of mentorship in creating lasting impact. As Damian Elliot shares, “I’ve been fortunate enough to have leaders and mentors who invested their time, wisdom, and belief in me, and that made all the difference in my journey.”

Creating lasting social impact

Youth employment is not only about creating jobs; it is about creating pathways where people can grow, contribute and uplift others around them.

Dotsure’s Talent Acquisition Manager, Melisse Hilligenn, believes businesses have an important role to play in creating these opportunities. “Nobody is born a professional. Every single one of us needed someone to teach us, guide us, and give us a first chance,” she says.

By creating Soft Landings for those entering the workforce, as well as supporting communities through meaningful initiatives, Dotsure continues to invest in a future where more people have the opportunity to thrive and give back.

Dotsure Limited (Registration number 2006/000723/06) is a licensed non-life insurer and authorised financial services provider (FSP39925). 

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