Lee Botti & Associates will once again invest in its iThuba initiative this year, a worthy cause that helps young people from underprivileged areas prepare for the workforce. Over the past 12 years, the company has trained more than 14 000 children from townships, teaching them job-searching skills and how to navigate the job market after finishing school.“The enthusiasm and interest we see on their faces during these sessions make it all worthwhile,” says Jill Morris, a director at Lee Botti & Associates. “It’s incredibly rewarding, even if we can positively impact just a few lives.”The programme focuses on Grade 11 and Grade 12 students from townships. Now Media, the parent company of Freight News, sponsors iThuba by printing the programme’s booklets, which serve as valuable resources for students, offering guidance after they’ve completed the course.“The workshop covers the basics – where to look for jobs, how to respond to an advert, how to create a CV and how to conduct oneself in an interview,” says Morris, highlighting that the course is highly interactive. “We’re not an NGO, but we’ve grown this programme because we believe iThuba provides vital support for young people as they enter the job market. With 47 years in recruitment, we know what makes candidates employable in commerce, and iThuba aims to equip learners with the critical skills they need.”The programme is presented by Lee Botti, the managing director of the company. LV
