Finding her Voice, Defining her Destiny

In 2017, a young girl walked into the Girls Time Club, quiet, observant, and unsure of her voice. She wasn’t broken, but she lacked the confidence to express herself and stand up when it mattered most. That girl was Thubalenkosi Sibanda.

“Before I joined the club, I wasn’t really shy, but I was not confident enough to speak up nor express myself.” She carried so much potential within her, yet she didn’t know how to bring it out. That reality became painfully clear one day when she was bullied at school and found herself unable to respond, unable to defend herself, left with nothing but tears.

“I recall a certain time when one boy from my school bullied me and I couldn’t respond or do anything… I just cried.” In that moment, her silence spoke louder than words ever could.

But someone saw her pain, her silence, and her potential. Her mentor, Aunty Procedure, called her aside and spoke words that would begin to reshape her life. Those words were not just comfort, they were seeds of confidence, belonging, and purpose.

“She said words of encouragement… at that moment I knew I was in the right place.”

That moment marked the beginning of her transformation. Slowly but surely, Thuba began to find her voice, to understand her worth, and to step into a version of herself she had never seen before.

“The club taught me how to speak up, express myself and how to be confident enough to understand that I matter.”

It was no longer just about learning to speak, it was about believing that her voice deserved to be heard. Yet behind her growth was a silent struggle that many did not see. Thuba was growing up in a difficult environment, raised by a single parent who struggled to provide even the basics. “Growing up in a poor environment where your single parent struggles to provide a three-square meal… at some point I thought I could be a school dropout.”

Her dreams stood on fragile ground, but the club did more than encourage her, they showed up for her in a life-changing way. “Through the club I got sponsorship for my school fees till I completed high school.” What could have been the end of her journey became the very foundation of her future.

As she grew, so did her confidence and vision. After six years in the junior club, she transitioned into iThuba Club, where she was not only empowered but equipped to face real-life challenges. “iThuba Club taught us not only to be confident but to be ready to face real-time challenges and know how to bring solutions.” Through this platform, she secured a scholarship under GSGC and pursued Purchasing and Supply Management, stepping further into a future she once thought was out of reach.

Then came a defining moment that would prove just how far she had come. During a career guidance session, the Group HR of Palm Hospitality Group engaged with the young people, offering guidance and insight. This time, Thuba did not stay silent, she stood up and spoke about her studies with confidence. “After I shared what I studied, I was advised accordingly and encouraged.” She listened, she learned, and most importantly, she took action. She applied for industrial attachment, and this time, opportunity met preparation. She was accepted at the prestigious Palm River Hotel, a place she once could have only imagined. Today, she walks into that space as a young woman full of purpose.