Government Gets it Together

Despite the many confounding things keeping South Africa in the news, there’s a glimmer of positivity as our Net Buddies pass the Winter Solstice (21 June) and the days in the southern hemisphere now slowly start to get longer and lighter.  The new Minister of Electricity has presented his action plan to address the power outage crisis and, thankfully, “loadshedding” has been much less intense the last few weeks. The main takeaway from the many decisions lately is that the South African government is now working in several ways with private industry to solve the power crisis. Energy monopoly to public-private partnerships - now that “sparks” excitement!

And it’s perfect timing for our teens who are studying for their mid-year exams.  Especially the Grade 12s who use the July “mini-prelims” as an indicator of how prepared they are for their Matric/12^th grade finals in November.  

Infinite FAMILY MEETING Time!

For an update on what else is happening in our Net Buddies' world, I hope you’ll be able to join us on Zoom for one of the 8 iFamily Meetings next week.  It’s an opportunity to engage with our CEO, staff, Net Buddy alums, and other members of our Infinite Family to get a fuller picture of your impact and importance to the teens on our program.  We will also share what is happening in South Africa today, and how we propose to expand our work nationwide.

Click here or the link below with the meeting dates and times - we really do hope you can find time to log in.  YOU are so important to the work we do and to strengthening South Africa’s teens to build better futures.

Net Buddy News

There’s nothing – and I mean nothing - more uplifting and vindicating than hearing from our Net Buddy alums as they stride ahead with their lives after school.  Katlego Teu (2014-18) took the time to send a beautiful message to let us know how valuable her weekly Video Conferences (VCs) were in preparing her for university life.    She studied for a Bachelor of Social Science at North Western University and says that, while she knew what to expect – thanks to her mentors - she watched her peers grapple with social anxiety, peer pressure, fear of failure, and lack of career direction. Forewarned is forearmed!

I just wanted to let you know how the program has been useful in my life. I got a match with my second mentor, Elinor, in 2016 and she’s been an amazing, supporting structure in my life ever since! Even to this day we are still in contact.  She's so helpful, supportive, and caring.  She's so amazing, I don't wanna lie! 

If it wasn't for you guys I wouldn't have met this wonderful soul.  Thanks once again, I am so blessed to have had the opportunity.  

Katlego is now completing a post-graduate Honours Degree in Demography & Population Studies at the prestigious University of Witwatersrand. You will hear even more of her story at the Infinite FAMILY MEETINGS next week.

Net Buddies and Video Mentors are the heart of our Infinite Family

Click here to see the Mentorship and Member Anniversaries we celebrate in June.

Thank you for being our Infinite Family

"I am new. I am not here to just decorate the place. I am here to get an education and reach for my goal.     ~Net Buddy Tashia