2020 Catalyst Gauteng Cohort 6 Highlights
We’re excited to share the highlights of our 6th cohort of Catalyst in Gauteng, which was implemented in 3 regions within Gauteng namely: West Rand (Kagiso), City of Johannesburg (Rosettenville) and Ekurhuleni (Tembisa) with a target of 180 youths. The training started on the 18th August 2020 at the Lewisham Hall in Kagiso for the Kagiso Hub, 19th August 2020 at the Pioneer park Skills Centre for the Joburg Inner-city Hub and the 20th August 2020 at Get Informed Youth Development Centre for the Tembisa Hub.
With the Covid 19 pandemic we needed to look at a different way of implementing our programs while ensuring we are able to reach our target and objectives set throughout the program. For the first time the Catalyst Program was implemented using a blended learning approach where participants attend the training in-person and online through the enke learning cloud as well as facilitator led lessons through Zoom, Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp. To incentivise participants for their online engagement and completion of activities, we partnered with ZLTO, an online points reward system where participants could earn for their online engagement where they can get airtime, meal vouchers and electricity vouchers etc.
The first sessions started mid-August with a Whatsapp live chat as an introduction to the program, the purpose being to get participants to know each other using an online platform, to introduce the concept of blended learning and how the program will be delivered to this intake. 168 participants registered on the groups across all Catalyst Training Hubs. To ensure we maintain the COVID-19 restrictions with the number of people allowed in the training space we divided each Catalyst Hub into two learning groups, where the first group attended from 08:00-12:00 and the second group attended from 13:00-16:00. This was done to ensure maximum participation from participants (within the COVID-19 regulations) and that facilitators could engage with all participants during sessions.
We held a very successful Alumni Panel on the 20th October 2020 attended by 4 of our Catalyst alumni. The alumni panel was held with the purpose of creating an inspiration element for current participants, for them to be able to see what the possibilities are for them with regard to growth as a participant in the program.
Mock Interviews were done over the course of 3 days in November 2020. With the mock interviews we brought in professionals from different career backgrounds to assist us in conducting the interviews. We had 10 external and 6 internal (staff) people who volunteered their time to assist us with the mock interview sessions over the 3 days. Thank you to all the volunteers who took time in their day for the interviews.
We also held a very successful Entrepreneurship Panel Discussion. The purpose of the Entrepreneurship Panel discussion was designed to expose our young participants to the world of entrepreneurship; expanding their scope and understanding about the industry and learning how they can make a difference in the world. Thank you to the Entrepreneurs who shared their insights on business and the entrepreneurial journey with our Catalysts.
We wrapped up the program with the Catalyst Showcase in early April, which was held with virtual advisor session and certificate ceremony split over 2 days. This ensured that we were still able to maintain each part of the showcase and get the full value from it while adhering to the COVID-19 restrictions. Read more about the positive impact of the 2020-21 Catalyst Program on our participants.
With the Virtual Advisor Session, participants met with working professionals and/or entrepreneurs to get first-hand advice, coaching and guidance on their next steps. Thank you to our 2021 Catalyst Advisors who joined us across the country: Chrischar Rock, Tiisetso Mathodlana, Thamsanqa Masingi, Jacelyn Scott, Robyn Pretorius, Amantle Mokubung, Brilliant Moyo, Nompumelo Mashoba.
The 2nd day of the Showcase was a live-streamed Certificate Ceremony, with participants in person and guests joining online via Zoom. Through the event, participants and guests were taken through a virtual Journey of the Catalyst Program in the form of a video and heard participant stories about their experience in the program and the impact it had. The day was wrapped up with the certificate ceremony where each participant received recognition for their participation in the program.
A special thanks to our 2020 Catalyst Facilitators whose excellent facilitation and agility with delivery multiple formats led to such great results: Gugulethu Zondo, Busani Moyo, Sinekaya Manciya, Michael “Sello” Mmane, Nkateko Matlou, Thembi Joja, Lindisipho Zanqa, Skhumbuzo Moodaley-Mpisane, and Prudence Erens.
Thank you to all the participants, volunteers, service providers and other individuals that made the 2020 Catalyst Program intake possible:
- Panelists: Camerin Macfarlane, Luzell Erens, Kulani Maluleke, Nompumelelo Mashoba, Tiisetso Mathodlana and Millicent Makhado
- Excursion Partners: Digify Africa and Profile CV Builder
- Transport Service Provider: Zayds Transport (Zayd Levin)
- Individuals who played a critical role in Catalyst Cohort 6 Success: Bonagane Mahlangu, Boyce Moatshe, Boitumelo Modisane, Samantha Vilakazi, George Yumba, Cheryl Jacob, Ngata Holele, Malilomo Nkabu, Dwaine Fish, Tidimalo Moeketsi, Zamokuhle Dlamini, Freddy Makuwa, and Gontse Moalafi.
