Looking for a Job?

South Africa is lucky to not be affected by devastating natural disasters such as tornadoes and tsunamis that plague many other nations of the world. However, South Africa has its own unique natural disaster: unemployment.

It is estimated 5.2-million South Africans are unemployed. With today’s economic problems, even those with degrees and qualifications are out of work. Six representatives and missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who are here on two-year voluntary missions, offer help to residents in Newcastle and surrounding areas. These six ‘Elders’ and ‘Sisters’ as they are called, devote two years of their lives leaving their homes and families to teach people the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as to help the communities in which they stay.

Their objective is to help people develop the skills and confidence needed in seeking desired employment.

“We really have desire to help the people here in Newcastle have better lives. We have been in the area for about six months. We’ve noticed unemployment to be a huge problem. Some of it can be avoided, so we are sharing some of the skills we know to help people increase their opportunities,” said Elder Childs.

As a result, these helpful foreigners have leased two locations, one in oSizweni and one in Newcastle, where they hold free workshops. “We have a three-week course where we teach people the attributes an employer is looking for, how to have a successful interview, and we even offer to help create CVs,” said Elder Kambuzuma.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, commonly recognised as the Mormons, is the organisation that sponsored UKHOZI FM live broadcasts from Salt Lake City, Utah recently. Mormon missionaries can be seen on the streets of hundreds of major cities in the world as well as in thousands of smaller communities. The missionary effort is based on the New Testament pattern of missionaries serving in pairs, teaching the gospel and baptising believers in the name of Jesus Christ.

Mormons are Christians in every sense of the word, and missionaries devote anywhere from one to three years of their lives, at their own expense, to invite others to come unto Christ. Presently there are more than 83 000 such missionaries serving across the world. While there are Church-approved materials for missionaries, they also seek spiritual direction and use personal initiative in finding people to teach and serve.

In the Newcastle area there are four congregational groups, known as Branches, and are led by lay leaders. These are the Newcastle Branch, located near Ferrum High School, Madadeni First and Second Branches opposite the municipal buildings in Madadeni, and the oSizweni Branch that meets at Pambili School.