For many young South Africans, the journey from the classroom to the workplace can feel like stepping into the unknown. Dreams often collide with harsh realities — limited access to training, scarce job opportunities, and a lack of guidance that can make ambition seem out of reach. But a powerful partnership between the Tyre, Equipment, Parts Association (TEPA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), and Kids Haven is beginning to change that narrative — one young life at a time.
Turning potential into opportunity
Launched in July this year, the TEPA–Kids Haven initiative embodies a simple yet profound message: It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity. Through this collaboration, TEPA members are helping vulnerable youth gain access to structured pathways into the automotive sector — from skills development and mentorship to hands-on workplace experience and full-time employment.
“Youth unemployment is one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges,” says Dylan Petzer, National Vice Chairman of TEPA. “As an industry, we have both a responsibility and an opportunity to be part of the solution. Through this partnership with Kids Haven, we’re creating meaningful pathways into work for young people who have so much to offer but often lack the access and support to take their first steps.”
Real stories, real impact
One of the first companies to open its doors was AutoZone, welcoming Kids Haven graduates into a professional environment where they could learn, grow, and contribute.
For Nthabeleng Ndlovu, this opportunity was nothing short of life-changing. “When I received the news that I’d be joining AutoZone, I was completely taken aback. It was surreal and humbling,” she recalls. “Before starting, I was nervous about meeting new people but excited to support my single mom and make a positive impact on our lives.”
Within just a month, Nthabeleng has grown in confidence and skill — mastering dispatch, invoicing, and stock management, all while being guided by a supportive team. “The skills and lessons I gained from Kids Haven, like preparing for interviews and writing a CV, gave me confidence and prepared me for the workplace,” she says.
Her colleague Siyabonga Shezi shares a similar story of transformation. After completing matric and a year of marketing studies, he faced the same uncertainty that so many young South Africans experience. “When I found out about the opportunity, I was beyond thrilled at the thought of spreading my wings and leaving home,” he says. “It was exhilarating but also daunting. Yet I knew it was a chance I couldn’t pass up.”
A foundation for the future
For both Nthabeleng and Siyabonga, their time at AutoZone represents far more than employment — it’s a foundation for their futures. Nthabeleng dreams of opening her own welding workshop one day, while Siyabonga hopes to return to Kids Haven as a mentor, helping others navigate the same journey he’s on now.
“These stories remind us that when we invest in young people, we invest in the future of our country,” says Petzer. “This is just the beginning. Through partnerships like these, we’re not only helping young people gain employment — we’re equipping them with the skills, confidence, and resilience to build meaningful careers and break cycles of poverty.”
The road ahead
The momentum is only growing. Over the next two months, six more young people will begin their own journeys through S Point Training in KwaZulu-Natal, marking another important milestone in this evolving initiative.
For South Africa’s youth, the message is clear: doors are opening, skills are growing, and the journey is only beginning.
With faith, determination, and industry partners like TEPA, AutoZone, and Kids Haven leading the way, the road ahead is paved with possibility — and the future has never looked brighter.
