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

  • Thando Ntsinde

    ByWBSComms

    The day I gave birth to my son, who is five years old now, was the day my career focus changed. That day I realised that I not only need to talk the talk but also walk it in order to be the example that I want my son to follow.

  • Lauren Liebenberg

    ByWBSComms

    I used to try candy-coat things, but no longer: giving birth is less painful, less bloody and infinitely quicker than getting your first novel published. If you haven’t been smothered under the avalanche of “Dear Author, Thank you for your submission, but …” slips by the time you find a publisher, you and your manuscript will still have to face the pitiless glint of your editor’s scythe.

  • Maurice Goodman

    ByWBSComms

    Looking back, two defining moments stand out for me. The first was enrolling for a Wits MBA as a result of the encouragement from my late dad. At the time it was very unusual for a medical doctor to do an MBA and I am indebted to the then dean, Prof Andy Andrews, for putting his faith in me and accepting me onto the course. 

  • 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.