16/01/2023
Sinethemba Mpontshane is sitting in his office planning for the day at uMkhanyakude in the small rural settlement in KwaZulu-Natal; four to five hours’ drive from of Durban.
Sinethemba is a Community Liasson Officer (CLO) at THINK. CLOs facilitate and implement community engagement and stakeholder relations activities in the district, participate in the development of and implementation of stakeholder engagement strategy, participate in the development of activities at the community and partner level, conduct stakeholder mapping to identify high-priority areas, develop and maintain updated stakeholder analysis, directory, mapping, engagements etc.
And Sinethemba does this and so much more. When you speak to Sinethemba, the first thing you’ll notice is how passionate he is about which is what we ALL about at THINK. He is born and breed in uMkhanyakude at Mtubatuba.
Sinethemba passionately shares his story, with the hope that it will inspire someone currently unemployed but wants to make a difference in their community; “I applied at THINK for a Driver’s and Data Capturer’s position; the way I was so frustrated and depressed because of being unemployed, after applying I called THINK office in Hilcrest and told the HR that I have been applying and I am not winning, yet I believe I qualify. I asked HR, “what am not doing wrong?”
Fast forward; I got an invitation to attend an interview for a Driver’s position, I remember I did not have money to travel to the venue which was at Jozini Tiger Lodge and I requested that I do it online, fast forward I got an offer from then HR Manager. I was waiting on the outcome of the driver's position, but got news I didn't expect.
Wanted to join THINK as a Driver but was offered a post I did not apply for; Admin and in exactly 12 Months I got another position CLO within the organisation. This changed my life for the better, to learn that there are people who did not know me but saw my capabilities and determination, hence they created an Admin position for me is something I’ll cherish forever!”
Sinethemba’s story reveals that anything is possible if you work on yourself, care about your community, persistent and love your work!
