Empowering South African Youth

The Hlayisani Team firmly believes that diversity is a competitive advantage and pride ourselves in having a cultural and gender diverse team that also spans three generations. 

As our nation celebrates the 46th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising this month and celebrates youth day on the 16th of June 2022, the Hlayisani Team reflects on the journey we have been on as a nation. We specifically consider the opportunities available to the young talent of our proud nation. Whilst there have been many structural improvements over the past 3 decades in education and other areas of public services to the collective population, we are of the opinion that there is still a lot more that should be done by business to improve the skills 

development and employment opportunities for the youth of our country.  “The voice of youth is a lens into the future”. Having young people as part of the team helps with knowledge transfer and promotes sustainability. The youth of 1976 should be very proud to know that the youth of 2022 are playing a crucial role in building the South African nation. 

Hlayisani is very proud to have three dynamic and talented young women on our team as Investment Analysts, Fadzai, Elihle and Tamala pictured above. These young women were part of the Women in VC internship launched by Hlayisani in August 2021 in celebration of women’s month. The purpose of this specific internship was to attract talented young women to gain valuable experience in the private capital markets under the guidance and leadership of the senior members of the team. They are key members of the investment and operational teams of the business and their contributions are greatly valued. Fadzai, Elihle and Tamala have shown excellent drive and eagerness to learn. Their passion and dedication will serve them well as they grow their careers and contribute positively to the South African entrepreneurial and investment ecosystem. 

Reflecting on their personal experience since joining the Hlayisani Team, the analysts share the following thoughts:

Fadzai Mutare when asked about her experience at Hlayisani says: “Working for Hlayisani has, from the start, given me the opportunity to be part of conversations beyond my current experience which has richly contributed to my learning and growth. The team has been dedicated to our personal development. The senior team members are committed to ensuring that our work environment is conducive for learning through mentorship. I feel honoured to work for an organisation where my voice matters.” 

Elihle Nyembe on reflecting on her journey at Hlayisani, remarks: “Working for a company like Hlayisani is an aspirational goal that would not have been possible for the youth of 1976. I am grateful for the people, both young and old, who helped shape the positive democratic change in our country who made it possible for me to follow my career aspirations. The advantages of working at a small boutique firm like Hlayisani far outweigh the opportunity to work for a larger more established organisation. Some advantages include working with an amazing team of smart, humourous and caring people. Working in a small team provides me with the opportunity to take on important responsibilities within the Fund. The experience I am gaining allows for personal growth that, I believe, will open more doors for me in future”. 

Tamala Manda on what she has experienced working at Hlayisani, says: “I believe that young people should always journey with older people and I therefore value the mentorship opportunity granted to me by the senior Hlayisani team members. Being entrusted with key operational responsibilities and being allowed to make my contributions heard allows me to realise my value and potential which further directs my career path. My experience with the team has taught me not to worry about my future as the future is in good hands”.