Al-Qalam 
By Azra Hoosen
For many young people, completing matric is followed by uncertainty about what comes next. For others, unemployment can stretch for years, with limited resources and little guidance on how to enter the workplace.
It was these realities that prompted the Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa (MYMSA) to establish Project HOPE in 2018, an initiative that helps provide practical skills to matriculants, unemployed people and those looking to start their own businesses.
The latest three-day skills training workshop took place at the Phoenix Care Foundation in Phoenix from August 24 to 26.
According to Project HOPE coordinator, Rashid Chopdat, the initiative was established after participants at a Youth Leadership Identity Camp were asked how they spent their time after leaving school. “The responses highlighted the harsh realities faced by many young people,” said Chopdat, noting that some had been unemployed for more than two years, while others lacked basic resources such as well-prepared CVs, internet access or money to attend job interviews.
The programme covered a range of topics, including CV writing and interview preparation, personal finance, business plan development, volunteering, workplace experience, artificial intelligence and motivation.
Khairoon Ghumran of Professionally Yours, an HR expert, facilitated the session on CV writing and interview preparation, while Shabnum Bux of Old Mutual addressed financial skills and responsible financial management.
Professional Business Advisor Ahmed Seedat facilitated business plan development, while internationally accredited life coach Zaf Nasri led a motivational session.
Participants also heard from Annisa Essack, a radio presenter and producer at Radio Islam International, during a Zoom session on the importance of volunteering, while Sameer from Siyafunda spoke about AI for business.
Chopdat said that Project HOPE continues to update its short skills programmes to respond to changing needs and emerging opportunities, including the introduction of AI into some of its modules.
Chopdat said the programme aims to help participants secure employment or create their own income-generating opportunities.
He recalled two participants from a previous programme who baked goods to earn an income. After attending the seminar, they reviewed their vision and marketing plan and returned the next day with a finished product ready for the open market.
For 21-year-oldFalayha Shazaadeh Adam, who matriculated in 2024 and is currently unemployed, the workshop was an opportunity to gain skills for employment while learning more about starting a business. “I registered to attend the Muslim Youth Movement workshop – Project Hope because I wanted to empower myself and gain some rigid skills for employment,” she said.
Adam said she gained more from the workshop than she initially expected: “I did not expect to gain as many skills. Alhamdulillah, I gained far more skills that I could use for employment, such as smart CV writing and the etiquette for performing well during interviews.”
She said that the sessions on finances and AI were also valuable, particularly in learning how AI could assist with budgeting and saving.
The workshop also helped Adam gain clarity about her future. She said that creating a vision-board helped her put her goals in order. “I definitely feel confident about pursuing teaching and studying via UNISA,” she added. She plans to put her training to good use and eventually start her own small business.
Another participant, Raadhiyah Mohamed, is an entrepreneur and founder of Durban-based micro-bakery Cardamom Club. She said the sessions on financial planning and starting a business stood out to her.
“The programme gave me practical skills that I can apply in both my career and my business,” she said.
The volunteering session also changed the way Mohamed viewed gaining experience: “I realised that volunteering isn’t only about helping others, but can also help you gain valuable experience, develop skills and create opportunities for your own future.”
For Mohamed, the message to others who are unemployed or uncertain about their next step is to not be afraid to start somewhere. “Keep learning, gain experience where you can, volunteer, develop your skills and do not underestimate what you are capable of,” she said.
The latest programme concluded with online and verbal evaluations, allowing participants to reflect on what they had learnt. Participants can also request a certificate and have their CVs or business plans reviewed by the relevant facilitators.
