MEC HAILS PARTNERSHIP WITH EAST COAST RADIO AS IT CONTINUES TO YIELD POSITIVE RESULTS

By Sifiso Xulu and Thuba Vilane.

• The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development’s partnership with East Coast Radio and Kagiso Tiso Holdings is creating tangible youth employment opportunities.
• ⁠Two programme beneficiaries, Msizi Dlamini and Shaheel Ajodhaparsadh, have secured permanent positions with Southern Sun after completing the Department’s skills development programme.
• The success highlights the impact of the Department’s Integrated Youth Development Strategy in empowering young people across the province.

The MEC for Social Development in KwaZulu-Natal, Ms Mbali Shinga, has expressed her heartfelt excitement over the Department’s partnership with East Coast Radio, which continues to produce remarkable outcomes. The collaboration recently celebrated the appointment of two young beneficiaries, Msizi Dlamini and Shaheel Ajodhaparsadh, to permanent positions at Southern Sun following their participation in the Department’s youth development programme.
The partnership forms part of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Social Development’s Integrated Youth Development Strategy, launched in November 2024. The initiative aims to empower the province’s youth through access to practical training, mentorship, and employment opportunities that enable them to build sustainable futures.
Backed by East Coast Radio and Kagiso Tiso Holdings, who contributed R500 000 to support the programme, the initiative is already delivering results. The success of Msizi and Shaheel serves as an inspiring example of how investment in young people can transform lives and communities.
Msizi’s story reflects resilience and determination. After completing his technical education, he took part in national engineering competitions and refused to let circumstances define his future. Reflecting on his journey, Msizi said, “The youth development programme organised by DSD truly changed my life. One day, when I have my own children and we take vacations to beautiful places like Sodwana, I will always share with them how this wonderful place changed our lives and offered us a brand-new perspective on life.”
Similarly, Shaheel discovered his passion for electrical work through the programme. He acquired valuable technical and leadership skills that helped him build confidence and advance in his career. Now employed as a qualified Phase One heavy current electrician, Shaheel shared, “The youth development programme has played a crucial role in equipping me with valuable skills, knowledge, and experiences that have significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth.”
Both Msizi and Shaheel have secured permanent positions with Southern Sun, a milestone that MEC Shinga says reflects the power of public-private collaboration. “These are the stories that remind us why we invest in young people. Through partnerships like this, we are not only transforming individual lives but strengthening communities and the future of our province,” she said.
Their achievements stand as powerful examples of what can be accomplished through innovation, collaboration, and commitment to youth empowerment. The Department remains steadfast in its mission to provide pathways for young people to thrive and contribute meaningfully to the growth of KwaZulu-Natal.