Refiloe Seseane

ByWBSComms

Refiloe Seseane

Current title
Founder, 18twenty8®

Course at Wits Business School
Management Advancement Programme, 2011

A defining moment in my career
The best career decision I have ever made was starting 18twenty8® – a non-profit organisation that empowers young women between the ages of 18 and 28. As an economics graduate, with a background in television and radio, it was daunting to make the transition to the non-profit sector. I was nervous and excited but fully committed to establishing an organisation that focuses on improving young women’s access to higher education and mentoring.

It was the personal challenges that I experienced after Grade 12 that strengthened my resolve to support young women to make uninterrupted transitions from high school to university and ultimately the world of work. Through fundraising, we have produced young female graduates in various sectors of the South African economy and I remain grateful and humbled by the accolades and support that we have received over the years.

It is thanks to 18twenty8® that I participated in the 2011 Young African Women Leaders’ Forum, a project of Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States of America (USA). In 2012 I participated in the Young African Leaders’ Initiative, led by Barack Obama, former President of the USA, and a year later I met England’s Queen Elizabeth at a royal reception for youth, education and the commonwealth at Buckingham Palace. My greatest honour remains to be a co-creator in the futures that young women craft for themselves.

Similar Posts

  • Jerard Scorgie

    ByWBSComms

    In February of 2014, I joined a small consulting organisation as a senior project manager, immediately after I had completed my MBA. The organisation was in a start-up phase, had been in existence for about 18 months and formed part of a global corporation with the aim of establishing regional offices around the globe.

  • Thabo Mokwele

    ByWBSComms

    WB Yeats said, “Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold,” which holds a harsh lesson for me. I took my radio broadcasting talent for granted. Because it came so easily, I began not to pay it attention and focused on what others considered important.

  • Judy Dlamini

    ByWBSComms

    My career started at KEH VIII Hospital in Durban as a medical intern. It’s been an exciting journey! The first milestone was opening my medical practice in eMlazi, the second biggest township in the country.

  • Diane Radley

    ByWBSComms

    When I was growing up I feared failure and the devastation I thought would ensue. I wanted to be perfect and felt any form of failure was letting me and other people down, particularly my mother who had made tremendous sacrifices in bringing up three children alone on a music teacher’s salary.

  • Dino Rech

    ByWBSComms

    It’s not easy to pinpoint one defining moment. There have been a number that has shaped the person and professional I am today. One person (and series of events) that stands out was a young patient of mine during my internship year as a junior doctor.