Phakamani Young Minds Academy Youth Month Event

Table of Contents

• Background
• Talking points
• About the learners
• Media interview questions – learners only
• Event details

About Phakamani Young Minds Academy (PYMA)

PYMA addresses the educational gap for disadvantaged pupils. Their primary focus is on producing prominent members of society – young people lifting themselves out of the cycle of poverty and into tertiary education and/or employment.

CCBSA Overview:  Economic Inclusion of Youth in South Africa (Media statement)

CCBSA Drives Economic Growth and Youth Empowerment Across South Africa

At Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA), we are committed to building economic inclusion and sustainability solutions that benefit our stakeholders, in particular, the communities in which we are invested.

As part of the Coca-Cola system, CCBSA has a strong history of enhancing the livelihoods of the people in the communities we proudly serve. We continue to help enable the economic empowerment of a diverse network of customers, suppliers, and communities across our value chain.

We have adopted the two pillars of employability and entrepreneurship as a framework for our economic inclusion strategy. Through programmes such as Bizniz in a Box and our Study Buddy Fund, we enable women and young people to access better future opportunities. Also, through our support for small suppliers to our business, we are providing meaningful economic opportunities and enhanced livelihoods.

We are committed to developing sustainable ways to produce, distribute and sell our products, and to create shared value for the business and the communities where we operate.

Investing in Education

The Study Buddy Fund comprises four pillars:

Bursary Programme

The bursary programme offers financial support to academically strong students from disadvantaged backgrounds who meet university entry requirements.

University Partnership

Through partnerships with universities, funding is made available to enrolled students who face financial challenges and lack access to bursaries or support from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College Support

This supports young people who do not meet university entrance requirements by focusing on technical skills development tailored to the CCBSA value chain, including fields such as electrical and mechanical engineering.

Ligbron E-Learning Programme

We use e-learning to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics and science.

Youth Month Key Talking Points – (Speech only)

• Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) is a proudly South African company which began operating as a legal entity in July 2016, after the merger of six non-alcoholic ready-to-drink bottling operations.
• We are a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) and a bottler for The Coca-Cola Company. Our approach is centred around people. While the focus must be on how best to achieve key sustainability goals; as a collective, we need to be mindful in our responses to the varied needs and changing circumstances of communities around us.
• At Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA), we are committed to building economic inclusion and sustainability solutions that benefit our stakeholders, in particular, the communities in which we are invested.
• We continue to help enable the economic empowerment of a diverse network of customers, suppliers, and communities across our value chain.
• We have adopted the two pillars of employability and entrepreneurship as a framework for our economic inclusion strategy. Through programmes such as Bizniz in a Box and our Study Buddy Fund, we enable women and young people to access better future opportunities.
• As a purpose-driven company, we help create a better shared future for everyone our brands and business system touches by working to provide access to equal opportunity and fostering belonging both in our workplaces and the communities we serve.
• Together with global, national, and local organizations we remain focused on investing to improve people’s lives, from our employees to those our business system touches to the communities we call home.

About the learners

Sandile Simelane

A learner from Silver Oaks School. He is part of the after-school programme and actively participates in mentorship. Despite facing challenges such as living in a squatter camp and the distance between his school and the PYMA after-school programme, Sandile has demonstrated unwavering determination to pursue his education and the opportunities available. “My message to other young people – fight and be ready to overcome any obstacles.”

Tacia Asivhothe

Tacia is from Freedom Park in Soweto and is studying Human Resources Management. Her greatest strength is persistence and aspires to be an entrepreneur and create employment for other young people in her community. “Every young person should know that hard work pays off. Never be afraid to put in a lot of effort, and love in everything you do. The only person that stops you is yourself.”

Lerato Mofokeng

She joined PYMA in 2021 to be a tutor.  Through PYMA and CCBSA, she has been able to further her studies. Lerato has been studying Human Resources Management with the Central Johannesburg College (CJC) since 2021, and CCBSA is financing my tuition fees. She is grateful for the organisation assisting her in realising her capabilities and allowing her to go after my dreams. “I believe strongly in the afterschool programme, and that such sectors should receive more support from the government entities. Everyone should be invested in the afterschool programme, especially the surrounding communities.”

Media interview questions – learners only

1. Tell us how you applied for the bursary fund programme?
2. How has CCBSA’s Study Buddy Fund assisted you with your studies?
3. What other benefits have you gained from the PYMA programme and bursary funding?
4. How can other young people get involved in this programme?
5. As young people, what role are you playing or how can you help resolve the issue of unemployment?
6. What’s next for your studies and/or career development?
7. What is your message to young people seeking study assistance opportunities and/or to developing their careers?