Fikile Mbambo: From YES Alumni to Head of Programmes

Going from a YES participant to Head of Programmes

Fikile Mbambo’s transformation from a passionate youth advocate to the Head of Programmes at Imbeleko Foundation reflects her continued dedication to community service and professional growth. She always dreamt of working in an environment that allows her to give back to the community. This has been realised through the opportunities provided by the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme.

Since joining YES, Mbambo has grown massively as an individual. The YES Youth modules equipped her with essential skills such as financial literacy, effective communication, and professional conduct within a community. These skills have not only improved her daily life but also changed her perspective on life.

Professionally, the skills she gained exceeded her expectations. She began her journey at Imbeleko Foundation as a facilitator in 2022. Within two years, her competence and dedication earned her promotions to Operations Manager and, ultimately, the Head of Programmes. In this role, she provides leadership, guidance, and support to her team, ensuring effective implementation of the foundation’s programmes.

She has excelled in her roles by using the skills and knowledge gained from the YES programme. Today, her responsibilities entail overseeing all programmes offered by the Imbeleko Foundation. She also works closely with stakeholders, including parents, partnering schools, learners, and community representatives.

In 2022, she attended a capacity-building workshop that brought together leaders from various Non-Governmental and Non-Profit Organisations. She also completed the “Lead Where You Are” training course by Khanyisa Inanda Seminary Community Projects (KICP), where she interacted with education professionals from different schools in KwaZulu-Natal, earning a Certificate of Merit upon completion.

Mbambo supervises two YES interns who recently joined the Imbeleko family. This role has provided her with valuable leadership experience, allowing her to oversee a team, make strategic decisions, and drive the company’s mission forward.

She has faced many challenges as a young professional. These include balancing multiple responsibilities, impact measurement, and managing people. At times, she has felt overwhelmed by the need to wear different hats and juggle various tasks. To overcome these challenges, she applied the tips learned from the YES modules, which helped her manage her responsibilities more effectively.

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Author: Nhlalenhle Dlangalala from ByDesign Communications on behalf of Youth Employment Service.