Ethel
I just said “Hallo”

Passing by Iris’s home one day I went in to say “hallo” as I had not seen her in ages. Little did I know my life was about to change. She informed me about a community training programme.

I filled in an application form and started training that Monday. What was great about the training was that I got paid for it. This made learning easier and a joy because I could study and take care of my families needs at the same time. My stressful situation had taken a huge turn. Even more wonderful about it was that my age did not matter. I didn’t think of entering the working world of today after being unemployed for years and because of my age.

A year ago we started off with 6 people, both young and middle aged. Today we have grown to 23 people. I work with fun loving people full of humour. We have become a close family. Last year we had some trying times but we managed to stay together. Once we pushed work till late at night and through the weekend just to be on time with a huge order. Today we can laugh about it all as we look back. Personally, I have become independent and proud of what I have achieved and learned. I’m glad to see that each new person who joins our team adapts to the fun loving attitude.

Most of all I have a manager, Debbie, who has a heart of gold. She’s interested in changing lives from struggles and hardships to success and prosperity in communities where unemployment is the highest. Today I thank the Lord for sending Iris and Debbie my way.

Love you both!

Ansa da Mata

I am an African Diva and work as a Sales Representative. This is my story..

I fell pregnant at the age of 16. I struggled because I was still a child. I worked day and night to survive and I did. God gave me the strength to become a stronger person in life. I fell pregnant again at the age of 23. Oh boy was that a hard part of my life but I survived. My first marriage was a disaster but I have married again to a wonderful man. We have been married for 12 years now. I have always been successful in all the companies I worked for before. One day my life changed for the worse and let me tell you it didn’t stop there. I worked for Pick ‘n Pay for a long time, I was in charge of the staff and the banking. One day armed robbers came in and rocked my world. A year later armed robbers came in and beat me so badly that I landed up in hospital. I then helped the owner set up a new Pick ‘n Pay. We had been opened a month when armed robbers came in for the third time. I ran away and the staff hid me in the men’s toilet.

This was the first time I have ever walked away from a company and my responsibility. I just could not take it anymore! I was petrified that the next time it could mean my life. I became a person that I had always hated, someone who was scared and could not trust people. I tried so hard to change but each time something pulled me back. Then I started working for a corporate company. I started off as an operator and my work was so good that I was offered a position as a credit controller at a different branch. It was here that I came face to face with jealousy and ugliness because I had not been trained properly by my supervisor. The next thing I knew I had been accused of laundering money, which I was not guilty of, and I lost my job. They had a hearing and let me tell you, up until today I can not remember what exactly happened in that hearing. When my family found me I was trying to commit suicide in a grave yard where my 2 brothers had been buried. I almost succeeded! I found myself in such a big hole I thought I would never be able to get out and I knew
that no one would hire me again.

That’s when Debbie came into the picture. She gave me the chance in life that I will always be grateful for. I started working as her PA. Debbie then started a new company called African Divas. I started to meet different people of all ages and colours. I thought I had problems but when you spend just one day with one of these communities I realised that my problems are nothing compared to theirs. There are so many sad cases, so many people who have not been given a chance in life. I now try and help other people because I know how it feels to be in a hole and that no one will give you a second chance in life. I have become so close to everybody in these communities that they have become as family to me. Always remember no one is the same and everyone needs a second chance in life. We are African Divas, the fruit of South Africa. Thanks for the opportunity to tell my story. I hope it will make a difference in someone elses life. Always remember with every problem there is a soluton or a better way out. Help each other and stand together as one big family and never give up hope. To me Africa Divas means HOPE!

Thank you Debbie and thank you African Divas for opening my eyes.

Feroza Donovan

My name is Feroza and I am a mother of 3. I thank the Lord that I am a Diva and that Iris introduced me to Debbie because I was unemployed at the time.

We went for training because none of us had experience at the time. That’s how African Divas started, as a small family of 6 ladies. God has made it possible that even through our ups and downs we have still continued to grow. What I love about my work is the laughter, jokes and lots of tears of happiness because we stand together and have respect amoungst the Divas. I did a lot of praying as the supervisor so that I could handle everyones moods and make them happy so that we can work as one. I really love my job and that’s why I can do anything! I was nervous at first to go out and meet people - to deliver goods and speak to them - but I enjoy it now. God knows I love my boss Deborah and the people I am able to work with.

Alpheus Mekwa

African Divas is where people come to work. Our work is made up of different teams. We have ladies that deal with logos, decorating candles, eggs, tennis balls etc. They decorate these items by using many different coloured beads. They do it so well that one can’t believe that people
can be so creative!

We also have gentlemen who deal with making bowls and lamp shades, again using bead work.
So you see, in African Divas we have different people with different skills. With that said I realise that the people of African Divas are full of joy, pride and love and I am proud to be part of African Divas!

Chantal Donovan

Before I started working for African Divas I was unemployed. My mom is a single parent with 3 children and 2 grandchildren. No one was working at the time except my mom who has a part time job and that did not go so well either so it was a very difficult time for us.

We believed in God and prayed a lot. I was very depressed at the time and would cry easily. I started praying and asking God for a miracle to happen. A friend of mine organised me a job at Rand Form but it was only part time. This did not stop me from praying and asking God to save me.

One day I got a call from African Divas. It is here that I spend most of my time with my friend, my mother and the owner of the business, Debbie.

Today I thank the Lord for the job and may God bless African Divas.

Melissa Dalton

I came out of matric with no experience and had to find work which was not easy! I used to help my mom on weekends and during school holidays at her previous company. It was fun but did not prepare me for leaving school and looking for a job in the real world where jobs are scarce.

My aunt Debbie hired me through her company Salwage Services as a filing clerk. As the months went by I started to learn how to do wages which was something completely different to what I had previously done. I struggled in the beginning and did make mistakes but Debbie showed a lot of patience towards me. Yes, it is a stressful job but the more I learn the more I enjoy. Then Debbie started African Divas.

Today I work with all the wages. I am only 19 and doing a job, that carries so much responsibility, has been a real challenge. I want to thank Debbie for giving me a chance to become somebody with a job and career. I know that in the future I will continue to learn from these 2 companies.

Thank you Salwage Services and African Divas!

Shaheed Loots

Days were very dark without a job. At home I used to depend on my mother and stepfather. I used to paint people’s houses for money and to put food on the table. When my stepfather passed away, my life became very stressful and I started to drink a lot. There were days when I never had a beer bottle next to me and others when I wanted to become involved in robbery and steal from the next person. At times I just felt like killing myself.

Then I met a very special person, my girlfriend. I told her my life was miserable and she told me to stop feeling sorry for myself and to get off my butt and go and look for work. So I did for a few years but without any luck. Just when I started to give up Iris came to me and asked me if I wanted a job, and with a smile I said “Yes please”! When I started working at African Divas my life changed for the better.

I can now support myself, my mother and my son. I used to think that I was just a big loser. Well, I was wrong and here I am today, working happily ever after with my new family at African Divas. Thanks to my boss Deborah for giving me a job and saving my life!

Doreen Prince

I am thankful to African Divas who have given me a chance to look after myself and my children. I met Feroza who then introduced me to Debbie, who gave me the job. I have learned a lot during my time at African Divas.

We were only 6 people who started African Divas but today there are 18 of us. Although we’ve gone through so much we have survived it all. I am the breadwinner in my home and am so grateful to African Divas for this opportunity.

Tom Maubane

I am so glad to be involved with African Divas. Their motives and objectives are correct in helping to alleviate the unemployment crisis in our country.

I came from one of their projects (skills training). I appeal to South African companies to walk the talk and support organisations who are helping people who could not be helped before. Social responsibility can change our country because peoples mind sets will change to one of positiveness. May the Lord bless the endeavours of Debbie, Iris and the management.

Elizabeth Ndala

They found me in Kwandebele (Pieterskraal), where I live, and offered me a job in teaching ladies how to bead. So that is what I do, I teach the ladies to bead and make sure that the order goes out. I was working with someone in Pretoria before I came to work at African Divas last year in 2007.

African Divas has changed my life because now when I want to do something I can, as I no longer have a problem of having no money. I do what I want to do!

Elton Wito

Before I started working for African Divas I was working for a company called Luster Pure. I was laid off and life was not good for my family and I.

I live in Westbury, where crime is high. I wanted to become involved in a life of crime until I met a lady named Iris. She told me about a company that would employ me. Life became better, for me and my family because of African Divas.

Ever since I have worked at Afrian Divas it has been a joy coming to work and being able to learn different things. This has given me the opportunity to prove to myself that a person can do anything in life. African Divas is a place where your efforts are appreciated. This place has become a home where you feel free to express yourself.

Felicity Billings

I worked for MBD Attorneys for 8 years. As a credit controller I had a lot of stress. One day I woke up and asked God to bless me with a new job, reason being were the shifts I had to work. I have a 4 year old son who needs a lot of attention and I had no time for him because one week I worked day shift and the other week night shift. I spoke to Iris about my situation and that I did not want to be part of MBD any longer. She told me that African Divas had a position open for a bookkeeper.

After a week, and discussing it with her partner Debbie she got back to me and arranged an interview. There I met a wonderful person, Debbie, who offered me the job. I didn’t even think twice in taking the job and today I am not sorry.

I want to thank the Lord for blessing me with this job which is full of growth and opportunities. I also want to thank Debbie and Iris for giving me the opportunity to be part of African Divas, a company structured around empowering the community. African Divas has changed my life and I now have more time to spend with my family. It has been an eye opener for me because it has made me realise that I can overcome any obstacle in my path.

African Divas is a hub of growth and activity. Being at the office every day is an experience because here we work as a family which I never found at my previous place of employment.

Now that I am with African Divas I know what it is like to work as a family.

Filda van der Nest

I am grateful to Iris and Deborah for this job opportunity that they gave me. My husband was unemployed and I was boarded due to illness. My husband subsequently died leaving us penniless. God was so good to send Iris and Deborah my way with a job.

Today I can afford to prepare a meal for my family. I have also learned beading! May God bless African Divas to grow and afford more unemployed people an opportunity to work.

Thank you Iris and Deborah for the job, I really appreciate it.

Gladys Motor

I always had a passion for needlework, tailoring and altering my family and friends clothes and garments. The real challenge for me was working on a more advanced machine.

The opportunity to rise to the challenge came when a friend/neighbour asked if I would participate in a community project. What started out as a community project, steered by Debbie and her assistant Iris, turned into a permanent position.

It’s been about one year and in this time I have learned so much. I can honestly say my skills have improved and I have gained more experience in this field. I firmly believe that this project would not have been successsful if not for Debbie’s dedication and commitment to us, the community and staff.

We are employed, motivated and last but not least we have a stable income as breadwinners.

Jessy

I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for African Divas!
It has turned my life around.

I had been out of a job for 10 years but I never gave up in trusting the Lord because this is what I have learned and what I believe in. Winners never quit and quitters never win! So, I am a winner because I know that when God opens a door no one can close it. God is truly working through Debbie as she has turned our community around. She is a blessing because there are hundreds of us that do not have bread on our tables.

We have had our ups and downs! When we started we were only 6 but today we are 23 people. Iris and the company are providing hundreds of jobs for people, daily. We have had to move from one place to another but I believe that God will provide us with a building.

God does not like ugliness and quitters
Jeremiah 26:22

Jonathan Erris

Since 12 February 2007 I have discovered a new, different family. People that I have gained a lot of experience from. In my honest opinion, I didn’t expect to be here this long, but through it all I am enjoying my time here.

I believe that this company can grow to be very large and I hope that I will still be part of it for a long time. When I joined African Divas I never knew a thing about beadwork but as time has gone by my skills in bead work has improved a lot. What I am most proud of is that I was the first male to start with African Divas and I am still here!

The people I work with give me hope every day and it would be a shame to lose one of them. African Divas is the best thing that happened to me. I could say a lot more but I am just happy to be part of the best beading team in Africa, and I mean the WHOLE of Africa.

Rowdy

I would like to tell you how I felt when I started working at African Divas.

Before working at African Divas I was a different person because I was always in trouble. I had the kind of friends who were involved in theft and other things that made people see me in a bad way. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to turn my life around now that I am working in a better environment. Now people don’t think badly of me but rather see me in a respectable way.Working at African Divas has changed my life.

People in the company make me feel as if I am at home. I have learned a lot since I have worked here. If you are a person like me that has always wanted a second chance in life by building ones self character up amoungst good people, if you get a chance like this one then hold onto it tightly and do not let it go. Make every moment count so that you don’t regret what you could have been missing out of. My mother, father, family and friends have always looked out for me and cared about me. I hope that they never have to go through the pain and damage that I brought and I hope
that it does not come back to me.

Working in an environment like this has a positive effect on me. I have goals in my life to be more respectful and helpful to others.

Shamiela Hendricks

I was working for Summer Salt in Fourways for 3 years. We were making costumes for different occasions. I had been at home for a month and a half when my brother Glen, offered me a job. We met Debbie and we then went for training in Sandton. It was just the 6 of us. We do a lot of different things. It is creating something special out of something plain.

I have been with African Divas for a year. We do more in the beading world because a lot of african people can do this type of work. I have worked with jewellery and leather and am currently involved with the cutting work. I think as the year passes we will become involved in learning and doing many different things.

The only time we stress is when we get an order and we still are in the process of learning the patterns. Once we have the patterns we can push the order out. I am now able to bead a lot of patterns and other things too. My daughter of 6 loves to see what we are doing when she has come with me to work. I hope that we are able to get in a lot more work so that more people from the community are then able to be employed by African Divas.

Solomon Dimo

I am employed at African Divas as a company driver. Luckily enough I got the chance to learn the good work that the rest of the employees are doing. Before, I was in an industry whereby you had to have a job description. The risk of joining African Divas was a good idea for the future ahead of me. African Divas is a unique company because the creative work that they are doing is different from others. I see a future in African Divas and I can’t wait to see this company grow!

I love being part and parcel of the family at African Divas. Though I have only worked a few months with African Divas I am enjoying what I do.

Last but not least I wish African Divas all the best for the future, especially those who came up with the idea to open this type of business.

Mettie

I am proud to be an African Diva and to have an employer like Debbie. Thank you Iris for coming my way. It is because of these 2 women that I am where I am today. Thank you Debbie for your patience. You deserve an award for the “boss of the year”. Together we will make a success of this business.

Believe me, these Divas are going all the way to the top. In this place I have learned to believe in myself and to become independent. I have learned so much about beading that I am now able to share my skill with others.

We are Divas in the true sense of the word and we are one big happy family. Once again, thank you Debbie!

Max

I was unemployed for 8 months with no income and lots of bills piling up.

I had been submitting my C.V to different companies but nothing positive had come out of any of them. More C.V’s were submitted by fax until one friday in the month of November 2007 something happened. I received a message to call a company called African Divas and so I did. Two weeks later I went for an interview and through Gods grace I started working for
African Divas as a Sales Consultant.

African Divas is made up of a unique bunch of beautiful, energetic and vibrant people. Their passion and interest is to rebuild, uplift and bring change to the under priviledged communities within the South African society.

I thank God for the opportunities coming through companies such as African Divas whose interest is to give employment through training and the development of various skills.

Owen Ragebult

I would like to introduce myself and my work. I am an employee of African Divas and my work involves the designing of beadwork tables, lampshades, flower pots and bowls.

I was employed in April 2007 by my boss, Debbie. The person who referred me to her was Iris - both are good ladies.

Before I had a permanent job as an ATM technician. I had worked there for a year and a half but because of the bad atmosphere I resigned. Thanks to Feroza, who is a good caring woman, and my determination I did some part time work.

Before I close, I would like to tell you about the coloured township where I come from. Westbury is a place with a lot of good people and a lot of very bad spirits roaming around. If you are a young teenager or young adult who is unemployed, you are bound to be trapped in amoungst the bad spirits of my township. This leads to becoming involved in gangs, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence etc. Getting a job, like this one, saves a lot of people, even the elderly ones.

My work involves art which I love. It is my passion and I love my passion, that is why I am a good worker and my employers are good people. That is why I love them and the other employees I work with.

p.s. At African Divas you can do work. However it is not how you do it but the feeling you put into it. If you think that you can do it, then you can and you will always be right!