​25-year-old Boitumelo Rabadiba from Wedela outside Carltonville was unemployed until recently, She had been surviving by doing household chores for neighbors. Rabadiba lost both her parents and as an elder sister to her two siblings, she had to make means to ensure that there was food on the table and rent was paid. She said sometimes they found themselves without anything to eat.
But her situation changed after they were visited by a Social Worker from the Gauteng Department of Social Development in Carletonville office who referred her for an accredited skills development training at Bamb'Isandla-Sam Skills Development Center after assessing their situation.
Rabadiba was trained as a cook, specializing in mass cooking using industrial pots.
"When I completed my training, I was told that Harmony gold mine was looking for chefs and professional cooks as interns. I specialize in cooking for mass using industrial pots and stoves, which I have been well trained at the centre. I submitted my CV, and I was called for an internship, and later, I was employed permanently," she explained with a glowing smile on her face.
Rabadiba cooks for thousands of mine workers daily. She said "The Social Worker came as a good Samaritan to us as sometimes we didn't have food, and no one was working in our household. Whilst doing the course I was discouraged by people telling me that I was not going to get employment since it was a government programme. I ignored them and paid attention to my studies,".
Rabadiba said she can now pay rent and buy groceries for her siblings instead of asking for jobs in the neighborhood. She is planning to start her own business and continue with her studies. However, her priorities are her siblings, who must complete high school and go to tertiary.
She further indicated that in the beginning she struggled with the working shifts, but now she can plan her schedule. Fortunately, Rabadiba does not have to spend money on transport since they use a staff bus as they start early to prepare food in the kitchen.
"I would like to thank the Gauteng Department of Social Department for offering me an opportunity to put food on the table. Bamb' Isandlasami has changed my life and for my family. People should not take government programmes for granted because today I would not be here if it was not for them," she added.