Name: Bongekile Khumalo

Province: Kwa Zulu Natal

Facebook: Bongekile MaSithole Khumalo

Bongekile describes herself as a lady of values, integrity and a visionary. When she dreams she wants her dreams to turn into reality. She fears nothing but Christ values respect, family, spreading love and availing herself when the needy asks for assistance. 

Why did you decide to be part of the ACTIVATE network?

Making a difference is important to me. I saw an opportunity that would enhance the passion I have for making a difference in my community and improve my skills and learn more strategies on how to make my vision a success and knowing that this was a network where a group of young leaders were involved made up even more interesting I could imagine fresh mind with fresh ideas.

What did you enjoy most about training?

One thing that stands out to me is knowing the importance of partnerships where one cannot work alone but needs another; we all are different with different abilities.

How has training helped you or changed your perspective?

I now know the importance of networking… I know whom to contact for what speciality, I know that with great minds comes great things in order for me to move forward.

What do you think the role of the youth is in developing the country?

Coming together and engaging but firstly getting a good education. Having access to information to increase their knowledge of the country that they want to make a difference in. The youth needs to understand that they are the future of the country and representative of the country so we need to work hard and give it our all in any environment we are working in.

What is your field of interest?

The business sector

How are you driving change in your community?

I am passionate about bringing change…I instil the importance of being your own boss within the network of ladies that I am part of. The ability to create and in the process teach each other the importance of financial management and instilling the same believes in our high school students, so we can create a better economy and employment for our community.  

Now that you have completed training, how do you plan to keep active in the network?

I have targeted high schools where we plan to go and introduce the importance of creating employment for communities by starting their own businesses and introducing doors for such opportunities.

What are your plans for this year?

I plan to continue empowering women and engaging them on social and economical issues. Build a world of strong women

Are you involving the network in your plans?

I am involving the network by keeping my business sustainable by implementing what the network has taught me; assist many ladies by hosting empowering events.

Additional information you would like us to know?

Currently I have been nominated as a top 20 finalist for the ENTERPRISE WOMAN SA an empowerment project which aims at empowering and developing young women.

In June at Illovo township we will be hosting a charity benefit event because my team and I enjoy the act of empowering young women, the event set up is that during the day we will. 

We will also have a dialogue session and followed by a gala dinner, we want women to understand the power God creates in them and help them in understanding the roles they play in their homes and communities. They need to understand the importance of their roles in society.

The venue as well as time and date for this event are yet to be determined.

Our next mission is to start an initiative where we will be going to high schools speaking to the young men and women, the future generation of this country about the importance of education, financial responsibility and starting their own businesses. We aim to assist by bridging the gap by introducing them to the right doors to knock at in order to establish their own Businesses and NPO’s, all of this will be achieved with the group of my network.