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

  • Paul Ballen

    ByWBSComms

    The glow of the newly installed blue iridescent Paul’s Homemade Ice Cream logo on the opening of our first the store in The Zone, Rosebank, in December 2015, was a moment that brought with it an understanding of where my career was rapidly moving.

  • Wendy Luhabe

    ByWBSComms

    After spending about ten years in corporate South Africa from 1981 to 1991, I was overlooked for a marketing position that became available. The marketing manager would not even allow me to be interviewed.

  • Craig Yeatman

    ByWBSComms

    I believed that I could work hard enough to earn a fabulous early retirement. I started a retail company in 1989 and my optimistic best mate helped me raise ‘capital’ by polishing up and selling my Hi-Fi system.

  • Nomusa Mazonde

    ByWBSComms

    Passing my PhD and graduating was a defining and memorable moment for me. A great sense of accomplishment, it was both the ‘Mama, I did it’ feeling and the ‘coming of age’ feeling which came with the sudden realisation that I could do that and more.