HELP US GET SOUTH AFRICA WORKING

Imagine yourself as a school leaver, without comfortably off parents to pay your university fees or fund a 'gap year' overseas. You need a job ... any job so you can support yourself and help out at home too.

You're willing to do anything. Work in an office, a factory, a restuarant, pack shelves or operate the till at a supermarket. Just something you can build on that, with hard work and the right attitude, could start you on the road to self sufficiency and financial security.

But then you realise that you are one of over 7 million young adults all chasing the same dream. And there are not nearly enough jobs to go round. As time passes, your enthusiasm and hope turn to bitter despair. Eventually you don't even bother trying to find that non-existent job.

If you're reading this and thinking: "It's not my problem," think again! Millions of idle, desperate young people with nothing to lose leads to all sorts of trouble. Handing out food parcels and social grants may help provide for their immediate needs. But these are not long-term solutions.

We have to get South Africa working. That means coming up with innovative solutions that offer young peope hope and opportunity. And that is what Siyabonga Africa is doing, with help from others who share our vision.

In the year ahead, we plan to train and develop 250 young people, and create 170 jobs in the informal/small business sector.

We know we can do it. Our successful track record speaks for itself. But we need your help too. Please consider contributing towards the cost of skills and business training – and play your part in growing our country's economy.

We can all be 'agents of change'. People with the goodwill and determination to make our country a land of opportunity again ... a place where everyone has the chance to build the life they want for themselves. Please join hands with Siyabonga Africa – and make your donation right now – toward a brighter, better future for us all.