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As the 2024 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations kicked – off recently, Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, has reminded all matriculants to seize the opportunity to apply for funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

“The application window will close on 15 December 2024. Eligible students are urged to apply promptly to secure financial support for their post-school education,” Minister Nkabane said.

Koleka Cele is an example of what it means to be on top of her game in the hospitality industry.

She is the brains behind the birth of The Hill Boutique Hotel situated in Tsolo, Eastern Cape.

Cele realised that it was a struggle to get accommodation in this area and decided to do something about it with the help of the National Empowerment Fund (NEF).

The Hill Boutique Hotel is located along the N2 highway linking Gqeberha, Mthatha and Durban. It opened its doors in September 2024, coinciding with Tourism Month.

It has been a challenging five years for an aspiring ostrich farmer who has been striving to get his big break in serving a niche market and securing a stake in the multi-million-rand industry.

Located in Brits in the North West, Pitso Ostrich Farm run by Kabelo Lekalakala, is now home to 13 indigenous black-neck ostriches.  

The 35-year-old launched his business in 2019, after learning about the bird’s value chain in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, a town renowned for ostrich production and farm tours, where he worked as an Enterprise Development Practitioner.

Lebogang Kgasago, the founder of Leonora Holiday Travel, has set her sights on becoming a household name in the hospitality sector. 

The Tshwane-based online travel agency, which was founded in 2022, has grown from just five employees to a staff complement of 20 in a short space of time. 

“It was just the three of us as the directors of the company- we are all still here - and we had a dream to make our property management company become Africa’s leading travel company,” Kgasago said during a recent interview.

A  passion for computers, information technology, and helping community members acquire computer skills made Richard and Modiehi Montoeli start Richys Training Centre and Technology in Senekal, Free State province. 

The company started as an internet café operating from a rented container. Today, it has grown and provides services that include computer training, tutoring, electronic repairs services, and business administrative and compliance services. The company's establishment was welcomed by the locals, especially young people.

An encounter with a luxury leather travel bag in Cape Town’s Waterfront was enough to birth a leathersmith.

With no formal training, Xolelwa Dwadwa relies on her newly acquired skill to provide her with an income. 

Dwadwa is based in Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg, but is originally from Qoboqobo in the Eastern Cape. She became frustrated when she could not find a job after obtaining an agricultural economics degree from the University of Fort Hare.