Think Ahead Transformation Academy - TATA. We exist to transform lives & encourage critical thinking

Right where you are, think ahead!

It was November 2022 when I had a conversation with Stellenbosch University students who were anxious about life after graduation, TATA was born. The mission is to promote education, skills development, and entrepreneurship through training and holistic mentorship in business skills, career coaching, career counseling, personal development. Target market learners from disadvantaged communities

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Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Web presence

2022

Established

150

Children

1

Countries

Target group

Students basic

Updated

April 2023

I want to see youth from rural areas living their dreams by rising above their circumstances. We are not our backgrounds nor our circumstances. We do not choose where we are born. As a village woman myself, it is my responsibility to give back. I would like to encourage those who are from the similar backgrounds to be visible where they come from. Young people need role models more than ever.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

In South Africa, we have an alarming rate of unemployed graduates. Every year, there are new graduates. The disadvantaged remain disadvantaged. With this initiative we are hoping to close the gap between schooling and after by coaching young people to study to create jobs instead of looking for jobs. We believe in the power of holistic mentorship.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

We journey with learners from secondary school until they enter tertiary education. We expose them in different careers through partnerships with cooperates and tertiary institutions. We attend Open Days, career guidance and career coaching. We motivate them to choose suitable subjects for their career paths. Because of the apartheid historical background, the marginalized are still marginalized in a sense that there are still inequalities between public schools and private schools in terms of the quality of education, lack of knowledge & exposure, and resources. The problem starts when learners enter the tertiary education where both learners from private and public attend the same tertiary institutions. Those from public schools usually lack confidence, low self esteem because of lack of mentorship and support especially those from rural areas. We assist them with university/college applications, self awareness workshops while developing the character.

How has it been spreading?

On the 23rd March 2023, we were in top 10 business pitch by Iwisa Social Ent. The initiative started in 2023, we managed to establish partnership with two Colleges (Elenburg Agircultural Institute and Stellenbosch School of Photography and Design. On the 15th April 2023, we took 50 learners for Open Day at Elensburg Agricultural Institute. In January 2023 through Facebook, we managed to assist eight learners to register in different tertiary institutions. We continue follow up on their progress. Goals for the next 2 - 3years is to be recognized as a National Academy that will operate in all nine provinces in South Africa. we are also hoping to partner with government and private sectors. The plan is to offer in service trainings to our beneficiaries when they are done with their studies.

If I want to try it, what should I do?