Real pairings. Real momentum.

Mentorship turned my lived experience into purpose.

I joined mentorship because I know how lonely leadership and entrepreneurship can be.

I never expected my 60's to be the most meaningful decade of my life, but mentorship made it so.

After a long career in law and the corporate world, retirement gave me time to reflect on what truly matters. Joining the National Mentorship Movement was an easy decision. Its strong reputation, structured approach, and commitment to sharing success immediately resonated with me.

I didn't start my journey with a clear roadmap. Growing up between Alexandra and Limpopo, I built my brand-Tornado Softnyce, over nearly ten years through trial and error.

Without formal training in fashion, marketing, or business, I relied on instinct, made mistakes, and kept pushing forward because I believed in what I was building

I didn't join mentorship because I had all the answers. I joined because I believe in giving back.

After more than 25 years in engineering, manufacturing, logistics, and business turnaround, I felt a responsibility to make my experience accessible, especially to people who wouldn't normally have access to a coach or mentor.

I grew up in the township, and like many boys, I didn't have positive male role models showing us what leadership, discipline, and accountability really looked like.

When I heard about an initiative called "What About The Boys", the name alone spoke to me, because too often, our boys are left behind Being part of this programme as a mentor through the National Mentorship Movement gave me a chance to be the guidance I wish l had growing up.

My name is Phumeza, from a village called Nahoon in East London. My purpose is simple: to transform lives.

My own journey changed when I embraced mentorship-first as a mentee hungry to learn, and then as a mentor guiding others. Mentorship gave me something priceless: an outside perspective to see my business clearly, not just emotionally. It taught me to communicate value, not just passion. When I began mentoring mentees in construction through The National Mentorship Movement on a programme called Fix Forward, I learned patience and empathy, seeing that everyone starts from a different place.

I joined the National Mentorship Movement because of one simple question: What about the boys?

That question landed deeply for me. I come from a disadvantaged background, and l've always been passionate about the boy child and men in general, how often they're overlooked, misunderstood, and left to figure life out on their own.

If you'd told me years ago, as I was sprinting up the corporate ladder, that my greatest legacy would be built in the quiet conversations of mentorship, I would have laughed.

My story is not just about building businesses-it's about building people. Mentorship, I've learned, is a dialogue

I joined the National Mentorship Movement because I was scared.

I had ideas - lots of them - but they were scattered, overwhelming, and honestly, I didn't trust myself enough to execute. I knew I needed someone who had walked this path before, someone who could help me make sense of the noise in my head. That's how l found mentorship through a simple Instagram post and now l was paired with Lydia.

I committed to mentorship because l believe in the emancipation of people and the growth of our

country's economy. What we inherit must be made better for the next generation.

A decade ago, I was navigating a painful divorce and separation from my children.

Instead of retreating, I chose to give back by joining the National Mentorship Movement as a mentor.

I am Letlhogonolo Modise, founder of the Letlhogonolo Modise Foundation. I had a stroke at 17, and that experience changed my life, but it also shaped my purpose.

What started as a foundation for stroke survivors and caregivers has now grown to support people living with all forms of disability. I joined the National Mentorship Movement because I wanted guidance, clarity, and growth.

I come from Alexandra, and like many young entrepreneurs, I started with a vision that felt bigger than the resources around me.

My company, Seventh World Industries, focuses on IT and automation solutions that can help improve communities. In the beginning, it often felt like nobody truly saw our potential. We kept applying for opportunities and facing rejection after rejection, and eventually | started questioning whether we were good enough. Joining the National Mentorship Movement through the Pernod Ricard programme changed that for me. For the first time, someone believed in what we were building.

I didn't join mentorship with a perfect plan I joined because I knew I needed help.

Running Smart Little Brains, my afterschool programme, I carried a lot on my own as the head tutor. Business can be lonely, and I often felt like I had to be strong all the time, even when I wasn't sure what the next step was.

I joined the NMM and MANCOSA mentorship programme because I wanted to give back and help others grow through the experiences I had gained.

After completing my master's degree in public administration, I realised mentorship was one of the best ways to turn experience into action and make a meaningful impact in people's lives. During my second cohort as a mentor, I became more intentional about building genuine relationships with my mentees. One moment that stayed with me was supporting a mentee through a personal struggle she was initially afraid to share. Through trust and encouragement, she eventually found the confidence to open up and even lead conversations within the group.

I joined the NMM and MANCOSA mentorship programme because mentorship has always been close to my heart.

For more than a decade, I've worked in spaces focused on student development and guidance, so becoming part of this journey felt natural to me. What I didn't expect was how much the experience would shape me too.

l've always been entrepreneurial, creative, and full of ideas, but for a long time I felt like I was figuring everything out on my own.

When I joined the National Mentorship Movement through the Pernod Ricard programme, I thought I would mainly learn about business systems, compliance, and how to grow my brand professionally. What I found was something much deeper. As someone who often felt like the "black sheep" in my family, mentorship gave me a sense of belonging and reassurance that my ideas mattered. For the first time, I felt understood by someone who could guide and support my journey without making me feel unrealistic for dreaming differently.

Mentorship has always been deeply personal to me. Throughout my life, I've been fortunate to have people who guided, encouraged, and believed in me, and that inspired me to join the National Mentorship Movement and the Fixed Forward Mentorship Programme.

I wanted to give others the same support that helped shape my own journey. As a mentor, I've had the privilege of building meaningful relationships with young people and watching them grow in confidence, purpose, and self-belief. At the same time, I've grown too. Mentorship has strengthened my leadership, coaching, and listening skills, while teaching me patience, empathy, and the importance of asking thoughtful questions rather than always providing answers.

I would first like to thank NMM for trusting me with their mentees and for being part of a life changing programme. I have been in contact with Nhlanhla (mentee) sharing ideas on how he can improve his business.

When we started the journey, the business had no systems and no sales, hence we continued post the mentorship period. I am proud that he followed my guidance of using social media and approaching schools. For the first time in October, he sent a message that he made an income of R11000 from one school and the business is getting customers for birthdays etc... I am certain that next year the business will grow more and perform better as the basics are now in place.

When we began our journey with my mentee, she had very little confidence. As a stroke survivor, she faced significant anxiety, particularly around remembering information, which affected her performance during exams and in everyday situations. She felt that her confidence had completely disappeared and believed she would never again be as committed or capable as she had been before the stroke.

Throughout our work together, I encouraged her to reconnect with the version of herself she was when she was younger, confident, capable, and determined. In the past, she could walk into an exam room with whatever preparation she had, fully trusting that she would pass. That reflected true confidence. After the stroke, however, self-doubt took over.

I would like to share my beautiful mentorship journey story with the NMM community. I was partnered with Mentor Tayla after I joined the National Mentorship Movement. From our 1st session, I knew that my success had just begun.

Her approach has allowed me to be honest with her, including details of my personal live. I was free around her, when I started my path, I knew I wanted a business, but I just did not know where to start. She helped me with the following.

“Your experiences give you something you can share with someone else and make an impact on that person’s life.”

“It’s actually very easy to make an impact on peoples’ lives. We live in a bubble of privilege where we can reach out to like-minded people when we need guidance.

I linked up with NMM David Wilson of NMM through LinkedIn. I received an e-mail and then linked onto the website.

“I thought that if I have some strengths that could benefit someone else, why not?”

My partnership with my mentee Mark ended successfully even though we have not done all that was planned. He got a job and that has been consuming much of his time, but other than that I am happy that I at least contributed to his career journey.

When I started my journey as a young engineer, I was full of ambition but also very overwhelmed. I struggled to find direction in my career and often felt stuck, not knowing how to apply my skills in a way that could bring me closer to my goals. For a long time, I doubted myself and questioned whether I had chosen the right path.

That all changed when I was introduced to the National Mentorship Movement and connected with my mentor. From our very first session, I could feel the difference. My mentor helped me understand how to position myself as an engineer in a competitive industry and guided me on how to build a professional network. She gave me practical advice on how to prepare for interviews, update my CV, and present myself with confidence.

I grew up in the township, where finding a job is one of the biggest challenges. Unemployment is so high in South Africa, and I knew from the start that I didn’t want to wait for opportunities to come to me. I had to create my own. I didn’t have any formal business skills, but I had a dream of being my own boss.

When I joined the National Mentorship Movement, I was lucky to be paired with a mentor who believed in me. She helped me take my sneaker-washing hustle and turn it into a proper business. We registered my brand, and with her guidance, I was able to open my own dry-cleaning company.

When I think about the woman I am today in my career, in business, and as a mother I know I wouldn’t be here without the mentorship I received. My mentor didn’t just teach me about business; she taught me how to navigate life.

Balancing motherhood, a corporate career, and running a business felt overwhelming at times. But through her guidance, I learned how to manage these worlds without losing myself. She gave me tools, wisdom, and encouragement that built my confidence and helped me show up fully in every role I hold.

For years, I struggled to keep my farming business alive. I worked hard every day, but I wasn’t seeing the results I hoped for. My crops were not selling well, I didn’t know how to access the right markets, and I was constantly losing money. At times, I felt like giving up on farming altogether, even though it was something I loved deeply.

Then I was introduced to the National Mentorship Movement and paired with a mentor who completely changed my perspective. My mentor helped me look at my farming not just as hard labor, but as a business that needed planning and strategy. She guided me on how to manage my finances better, how to plan my planting seasons more effectively, and how to identify the types of crops that would be in demand.

When I first started my beauty business, I thought my passion and skills would be enough to carry me through. But very quickly, I reali s ed that running a business was much harder than I imagined. I struggled to attract clients, I didn’t know how to price my services, and I often felt like I was working hard without making any real progress. There were moments when I considered closing down because it felt like I was failing.

Then came the turning point I joined the National Mentorship Movement and was paired with an amazing mentor. From the start, she listened to my challenges and helped me understand that being a beautician was not only about doing what I love, but also about building a sustainable business. She taught me how to package my services, create promotions to attract new clients, and most importantly, how to retain them through excellent customer care.

My mentor is such a blessing. National Mentorship Movement program came at the right time, and I highly recommend it. My mentor shows a genuine interest in my personal development. She listens attentively and assists me to think rationally about situations and aids me on how to approach situations from a level-headed perspective.

She is the best person to bounce off my ideas with, express my opinions and share my frustrations with. She also provides me with objectives and constructive feedback. Since we met, not only have grown in leadership skills, but my emotional intelligence and my communication skills have been strengthened. Furthermore, I have also gained new perspectives through her willingness to share skills, knowledge, and expertise in the field.

Prior to the mentorship program, I lacked several essential skills and knowledge areas, including marketing myself effectively, crafting a compelling CV, leveraging platforms such as LinkedIn and Indeed for professional networking, and mastering strategic communication and self-presentation.

Through the mentorship, I gained valuable insights and expertise that have reshaped my professional journey. I learned the importance of communication and self-presentation in the corporate world, how to set and achieve both personal and professional goals, and the value of enhancing my online presence through optimized profiles. I also developed the ability to network effectively and build meaningful professional connections.

I am thrilled to share the profound impact the mentorship program has had on my personal and professional growth. Before participating, I often struggled with low self-esteem, self-doubt, and ineffective communication.

However, through this transformative program, I was able to develop greater self-awareness and confidence, improve my communication skills, and build the ability to take initiative and lead such as when I presented on behalf of my team at the heritage event. I also grew in accountability and responsibility, while strengthening my relationships with colleagues through shared personal connections.

I am delighted to share the profound impact the mentorship program has had on my personal and professional growth. Before participating, I lacked essential skills and knowledge, but through the program, I gained valuable expertise and confidence that have reshaped my journey.

Some of the key benefits I gained include developing networking and connection-building skills, improving my communication and public speaking abilities, and benefiting from group mentorship and collaborative learning opportunities. The program also equipped me with a deeper understanding of professional networking and relationship-building, enhanced self-presentation and communication skills, and access to valuable training and resources.

I am excited to share the profound impact of the mentorship program on my personal and professional growth. The experience was truly transformative, equipping me with essential skills and confidence that have positively shaped my journey.

Some of my key takeaways from the program include developing effective communication, journaling and diary-keeping, self-expression and assertiveness, discipline and preparation, networking and relationship-building, as well as fostering a habit of reading and continuous learning.

I am a qualified HR generalist with over 10 years’ experience in the HR space.

Through this mentorship programme’s mentor training, I developed professionally.

“I wanted to change my career path, and I did not know how to begin or change. And then this program came about.”

I met mentor Melesia, and I like her because she had an honest conversation with me about speaking to the relevant people, more so in the space/s I would like to venture into. I did exactly that, and now I just want to say, I have achieved my goal. I am in a very good space. It's been a great journey.”

"This program helped me form an understanding of the many facets of marketing, such as consumer interaction and effective communication."

During the program, I learned how to interact and work with my colleagues who have different sets of strengths and weaknesses.

The Mentorship programme has helped me in multiple areas of my life. I have learned life skills that have helped me understand my weaknesses and strengths, it has helped me reflect on who and what I am about. I feel privileged to have been matched with my mentor. If it were not for my mentor’s support and guidance, I would not have completed my Honours degree, nor would I have enrolled for my master’s degree.

My mentors encouraged me to continue my study journey and supported me throughout my exams. I was guided through handling my emotions and advised on how to deal with the various stages of success and depression. This mentorship programme came at the perfect time in my life and has provided me with lifelong mentors and friends who will continue to help me with my journey. Thank you MANCOSA and everyone who made the mentorship programme possible.

During my final year at Mancosa, I was afforded the opportunity to be part of the Mancosa Mentorship Programme in 2023. The mentors were so compassionate, and they never failed to provide encouraging support in areas of my life that I was struggling with. I needed a lot of guidance with my future.

The mentorship programme was able to offer a lot of useful advice on how to go about to make an informed decision about what steps I needed to take to ensure I accomplished my goals. The Mancosa Mentorship Programme made me feel that my needs were important and ultimately made me feel at home at Mancosa.

I started my year in a very positive and good note. As time went by, I felt as though I was losing all kinds of motivation and purpose. I applied for the Mancosa Mentorship Programme with a blind eye not really having expectations or how things will turn out for me. I didn’t think of the impact it would have in my career and personal life.

The mentors and a few other members have really helped me in the toughest time I’ve had to face during the mentorship. The programme was a safe space for me and has taught me many aspects of growth. My way of thinking has shifted from how I used to. I’m grateful to the people I got to meet on the programme and the many advice I received. Thank you.

I have learned so much from the mentorship programme from a personal and career development level. As a mentor, the structure of the mentorship programme benefited both mentors and mentees. I have learned leadership skills, how to set visions and goals, how to shift my mindset and how to assess a situation.

The skills and knowledge learned in the mentorship programme have already benefited me in gaining confidence, newfound value and purpose and new employment. I have used all that I have learned in the programme in my recent interviews, psychometric tests and in building and maintaining strong relationships. Thank you to Mancosa and National Mentorship Movement for this rewarding opportunity/ experience.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity of being a Mentor. It has been an immense pleasure to be part of the National Mentorship Movement and MANCOSA. The 6 sessions being part of the mentors have equipped me as a leader. Mentoring is an effective method of professional development, and it encourages growth and motivation.

Being a mentor for group 8 was a lot of fun and it was really a power of 2 because I also learnt a lot from Sambulo and Lerato, my mentees. We had a relationship of trust. often had moments of laughter, joy, and conversations in which there was no hierarchy or one who knows less. We analyzed together, learned through practical examples, and talked about our attitudes and values in life and work/MANCOSA (as they are still students).

I was thoroughly pleased to be chosen to be a Mancosa mentor. The programme started with some training sessions with Ross and other team members. I was co mentor for our room 7 mentees with Samantha Townsend. had very stimulating team rearing and supporting discussions.

We had incredibly supportive and participating mentees. Samantha and I either encouraged discussions or had the mentees just feel comfortable and assured them the room was a safe place.

Thank you so much for reaching out to me to join the Mancosa mentorship program. What I have achieved from the program is using the models taught to me about how to navigate change, shift my mindset, and various other models that were taught to make me an effective mentor.

I have been applying the lessons in my group mentorship sessions, and this helped my mentees understand themselves more and navigate positive change to effectively achieve their goals. I've also learned how to set vision and goals, plan for action, help shift my mentees' mindset, and how to plan forward. I think this program is a lovely opportunity, and I'm grateful for being a part of this initiative. I hope that many more people get involved, and I look forward to my continued involvement in future sessions.

"Being a mentor in the MANCOSA mentorship program taught me so much about having a growth mindset and the importance of being open and willing to step outside of my comfort zone to explore continuous growth opportunities."

Not only did I learn so much about myself, but I had the privilege of learning a great deal from my mentees and fellow mentors. The program taught me the importance of goal setting and execution and how to overcome challenges that stand in the way of me achieving my goals. I am grateful to the National Mentorship Movement for the opportunity to have mentored in this program and will certainly take the lessons learned and apply them to enhance and enrich my future, as I hope my mentees will too.

"I am a Mancosa alumina, who joined the mentorship programme early this year. I graduated with my MBA in 2015. What I've liked about this mentorship programme is the training that we went through, and the group mentees that were allocated to me."

In the first session, we looked at the river of life, where we got acquainted and told our stories to each other, with the purpose of getting insight into each other’s life. Most of the stories were really inspiring.