I am Tshepiso Stuurman, and I’m excited to share my journey with you.
I’ve always dreamed of being successful, having a career, and earning my own income. But for a long time, that dream felt out of reach. I couldn’t afford to go to a TVET college and I didn’t meet the requirements for university. I felt stuck – like I was just watching life move on without me.
One day I came across a Facebook post Facebook post about Thabiso Skills Development Centre – and that changed everything. I was incredibly fortunate to register for the Carpentry course in January 2025, thanks to the support from CIE with Absa funding. What a blessing!
From the very first day, I enjoyed every moment of my learning experience at Thabiso. In the Life Skills Programme, I learned so much about myself – how to believe in my potential, how to face life’s challenges with strength, and how to appreciate and support the people around me.
In the Carpentry course, we got hands-on experience and were trained on health and safety when working with tools and machinery. We learned how to install ceilings, build cupboards, and so much more. Being in the workshop gave me a whole new respect for the carpentry trade. Our facilitator was amazing – always there to guide us and make sure we understood everything. The mentorship I received made a huge impact on me.
During the Small, Medium, Microenterprise training, we were taught how to build a business from the ground up – writing a business plan, marketing ourselves, and understanding the basics of running a successful business. It lit a fire in me!
Today, I’m proudly employed at Welkom Mini-Market, doing maintenance work and other responsibilities. It feels amazing to have a steady job and to be able to contribute meaningfully. But I’m not stopping here – I’m saving up because my next big goal is to open my own carpentry workshop. I know it’s possible, and I can’t wait!
To all the youth out there who feel that their options are limited – don’t give up. If you know what you want in life and Thabiso Skills Development Centre offers a course in that field, go for it! Thabiso helped me realise that there’s no such thing as a closed door or a dead end. You’ve got to keep going, stay focused, and do what needs to be done. If life knocks you down, get up, dust yourself off,
and try again. Your dreams are valid!
