Yonela Jezile

26-year-old Yonela Jezile from Delft Cape Town started her YES programme at ORT SA CAPE Education in 2019 which was followed by an ECD learnership.

She completed her year as a grade R class assistant at Portlands Primary in Mitchell’s Plain. This is where her love for teaching started, and she learned and realised that she can make a difference in the lives of young children.

At the end of 2019, she was selected to be a part of the ORT SA CAPE’s ECD Level 4 learnership programme which is an 18-month SETA accredited qualification. She started her practicals at Bubelani Daycare Center in Delft.

Unfortunately, this was cut short due to the COVID-19 Pandemic as early childhood development (ECD) centres closed their doors for five months. When ECD’s re-opened, she joined Peak Child ECD center for the duration of her learnership and received her qualification at the end of 2021.

After the completion of her qualification, Yonela received a contract at Masibambisane High School as a class assistant.

“These experiences have contributed to my growth and development, and they have made me more patient and tolerant.” says Yonela.

In January 2022, she was permanently employed by Little Steps Daycare in Montclair. Yonela adds that “this is where she has grown into a confident ECD practitioner, learning more and more, allowing me to make an impact in the lives of young children.”

“My life has changed for the better, thanks to the investors who gave me this opportunity. The lives of my family have changed. I can assist my parents and our living conditions have changed. What I have learned, I could take into our community, my family and church environment, by offering free aftercare to children in our neighborhood.

Thank you for the investment and trust placed in me. I now have the responsibility to do the same for others, especially for our children. I will forever be grateful.”