With many young people struggling to find employment, a young activist from Mfuleni, Bongolwethu Nganya (27), has decided to come up with alternatives that could put his peers on a bright career path.
In January, Nganya started an initiative called Mfuleni Community Free Learners for Code 10. He offers free Code 10 learner’s lessons to the needy and most vulnerable. These will end in June.
Nganya said he opted to establish the initiative when he realised people struggled to pay driving schools.
“I started teaching people mid-last year, but I assisted mostly individuals. Then I realised there were many who needed help with their learner’s, but didn’t have money to go to driving schools. I decided to form different groups whom I teach learner’s for Code 10 only.” He said he didn’t teach Code 8 because he didn’t have enough time.
Classes were held at different places, but he used mostly local churches.
“Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 15:00 to 17:00 I hold classes at New Faith Church in Zion Ext 6.
“On Thursday and Friday from 11:00 until 13:00 at Faith In Living Christ Ministry in Ext 4. And on the same day I go to Covid informal settlement at God’s Purpose International Ministry from 14:00 to 16:00. Then on Saturday I have classes at Full Gospel Church of God In Movement at L section in Site B Site B from 09:00 to 11:00.”
Nganya said he had more than 500 people attending his classes on WhatsApp. He applauded the community for showing interest in the initiative.
Nganya said when he started he targeted youth, but the demand made him open it up to everyone.
“In all four classes, I have every week, the numbers are increasing,” he said.
“The smallest number of people attending my classes is 43 people.” Students can book their classes anywhere.
Nganya says he intends to open his driving school to assist the less fortunate in the community. However, he needs working equipment to improve his offering.
“I don’t have books. So, for now I photocopy my K53 book and give them copies which makes it difficult for them to see the exact colour of a sign. I don’t have sign the boards that I can paste on the wall for people to see”
Nganya stated that this year he assisted close to 100 learners to get their learners.
One of the learners Avela Madotyeni from Ext 6 in Mfuleni described Nganya’s initiative as helpful.
He said he heard about it from a friend.
“I have a Code 8 driving licence, but I want to upgrade it to Code 10. When I heard about it I didn’t think twice about joining it. Nganya is a great teacher. He has a lot of patience. I wish he can continue doing it.”
Madotyeni described Nganya as “God sent to help needy people”.