“In life, we are faced with many choices. We can choose to visit a train station but not board the train or take that golden ticket and travel to our next destination,” says qualified Social Worker Pamela Nkosi. Pamela, currently employed as a General Worker in the Department of Social Development in Region F, had an interesting start to her career. She faced speed bumps and uncertainty.
Through it all, she chose to ride her train although her final destination was not yet in sight.
She joined the municipality as an intern in 2016 under the Insika Foundation and worked in the Department of Community Development.
“I knew that once the internship ends, I would have to seek other employment. This motivated me to stand out among the other interns.”
Pamela was one of the last to leave, arrived the earliest and asked questions. This didn’t go unnoticed by her manager, Meshack Maluleke, the Regional Manager for Social Development in Region F.
“Before my internship ended, Mr Maluleke told me the City needs more people with skills like mine. I then started looking for other positions to stay within the City.”
Pamela was retained by the City through the EPWP in 2017. She was still based in the same department. In 2018, she became a permanent employee as a General Worker doing administrative tasks for Maluleke. She approached her manager about the City’s subsidised education benefits and he was more than eager to help her continue with her studies.
“My manager was truly God-sent. He practically held my hand through the application process.”
Today, Pamela is more grateful than ever for the opportunities the City has made possible for her but more so for the supportive manager, who encouraged her.
“I couldn’t have done it without Mr Maluleke, who reduced my load at work and allowed me to do my practicals within the department. Not one of my colleagues turned me away. Instead, they helped me and placed me with clients and gave me constructive feedback.”
Pamela completed primary school in KZN. “I knew that my golden ticket would take me back to the big city and so it did. I returned and lived in Soweto, Diepkloof, with my parents where I also finished my matric.”
She joined Humana, a community development organisation. “I went to Durban with Humana to complete a two-year Development Studies qualification. Sadly, when I returned I found out that it was not a recognised qualification in SA.”
She then worked as an executive secretary at a Christian-based organisation for 10 years and completed a certificate in Community Development through Unisa.
“My journey has inspired and motivated others. I encourage interns to do more because your fate can change at any time. Don’t get stuck at the station watching other people travel. Board the train you never know what the next destination might hold.”
Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph
18/11/2022