Lungile Jafta

What does your company do?

At Light of Nation Youth Projects, we are a community-driven nonprofit organization based in Kingsway, dedicated to empowering youth, women, and people with disabilities from Kingsway township, Lindelani, and Marikana informal settlements. Our mission is to equip our communities with practical skills, create opportunities for self-reliance, and restore dignity through education, development, and support. We offer a range of skills development programs including End-User Computing, Merchandising, Ceiling and Partitioning, as well as Crafting Skills specifically tailored for people living with disabilities under our Creativity Beyond Disability program. These initiatives are designed to open up employment and entrepreneurial pathways for our participants. In addition to technical training, we also run work-readiness sessions that prepare our beneficiaries for the job market by focusing on professional behavior, communication, and job-seeking skills. We recognize the urgent need to address social challenges in our communities, which is why we also implement gender-based violence (GBV) awareness and response programs to support survivors and educate the broader community on prevention. As a Non-Profit Organisation, we strive to sustain our work through initiatives like our community internet café. Our strength lies in being deeply rooted in the community we serve, working with our people, for our people, every step of the way.

What is your biggest success?

Our greatest achievement at Light of Nation Youth Projects has been the successful implementation of our Creativity Beyond Disability program, which empowers individuals with disabilities through skills development in crafting, providing them with both personal and professional growth opportunities. Through this program, we’ve created a platform where participants can express their creativity, gain marketable skills, and become financially independent. In addition to this, our ability to offer work-readiness training and life-changing support to survivors of gender-based violence has had a profound impact on the community. The growth of our social enterprise initiatives, such as the internet café and local events, has allowed us to sustain our work and extend our reach. By creating safe, inclusive spaces for learning and empowerment, we have made a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most, fostering hope and long-term change.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

Our biggest hurdle at Light of Nation Youth Projects has been securing consistent funding to support our wide range of programs and services. While we are committed to making a lasting impact, the financial constraints often limit our ability to expand and offer additional resources to those in need. Despite the success of our social enterprise initiatives, including the internet café and events, we still face challenges in generating enough revenue to fully sustain our operations without external support. Additionally, reaching and engaging underserved communities, particularly in informal settlements, presents logistical and outreach challenges. Ensuring that all individuals, especially those with disabilities, have access to our programs requires careful planning and ongoing support. However, we remain determined, continuously seeking new funding opportunities and partnerships to overcome these hurdles and continue our mission of empowering and uplifting our community.