Talented young woman paves her own way
Reabetswe Molapo's way with words has allowed her to showcase her talent on several international platforms.
POLOKWANE – Born and bred in KwaThema, Springs, Reabetswe moved to Polokwane in 2005 after her mother got a job in the province. She started writing random journals in high school and went on to take interest in poetry writing and recitals in university. “Most of my writing was still ‘secret’ as for me it was a channel I used to meditate, destress and redirect emotions. Once I took on public speaking, I also started writing motivational pieces for the Capricorn Voice (Review’s sister newspaper) and later the Limpopo Leader publication,” she shared.
Reabetswe was Deputy Chairperson of the Polokwane Youth Forum and an executive committee member of the Junior Chamber International (JCI)-Polokwane. She was also a runner-up award recipient for the Social Entrepreneur Category in the Regional Limpopo Businesses Women’s Association award in 2014. In 2016, she was selected as one of the the top nine finalists for the Young Community Shapers award among a host of other things.
She met Jared Kleinert, a 21-year-old millennial consultant from Atlanta, US and the author of the book 3 Billion under 30. Reabetswe also has a chapter in the book she wrote, sharing her input. She was introduced to him by a mentor. Reabetswe and Jared were invited to speak to matric learners on a tour across South Africa.
“We went on to various places like Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban among other cities. It was during that time that Jared heard of some of the projects I had started in the rural areas and townships and how I still managed to do that without resources or funding. It has been a passion and over the years I have received several awards and accolades. I have been blessed throughout the journey,” she said.
Reabetswe started Yung Heirz in 2011 and it was formalised in 2013. It is an organisation which aims to motivate, enrich, inspire and develop young people across South Africa. The high statistics of youth unemployment is an area of interest for her because of her own personal experience.
“We are seeing more young people with a spirit of apathy towards innovation, idealisation and transformation and what we are aiming for, is to create sustainable solutions that inadvertently draw opportunities and resources towards them,” she explained.
The biggest challenge she faces is the lack of funding. She shared it becomes a massive stumbling block because of ideas they would like to implement, that they know will work, but their hands are tied due to the lack of resources. She urged corporate companies and business people to get in touch with Yung Heirz to form a working relationship.
Even with the financial struggles that come with heading a non-profit organisation, Reabetswe considers herself blessed in her journey. “Not only has it been a process of self-discovery but some of the achievements and opportunities one gets have been jaw dropping. Some of the people I’ve met have been amazing and the Bible speaks truth when it says: ‘Your gift will bring you in front of great men’.”
She is currently focusing on completing her thesis on leadership and management to equip herself to impart knowledge to the future leaders of our country and the entire African continent. She is also working on her own book.
