Page 71 - KZN Top Business Women 2024

Don’t try to live someone else’s dream; let your dream shape

who you become so you can be the person who achieves it.

education is too expensive, or they don’t know what the helping individuals gain recognised qualifications and
Chief Executive Officer and Founder,
future holds. I wanted to change that by providing online secure job opportunities.
Skills4Africa Training Industries
courses that are accessible and affordable,” she explains.
A Beacon of Hope
adeleine Pretorius, a dynamic CEO and Skills4Africa offers a broad range of over 300 courses,
founder of Skills4Africa Training Industries, catering to various skill levels and career aspirations. “These Madeleine’s perseverance has earned her several accolades,
M is making a difference with a philosophy of courses cover everything from basic qualifications, like a including the Brand Ambassador Influential Women
“Better Together”. She is an award-winning people learner’s licence, to advanced fields such as administration, of South Africa award brand for five consecutive years,
empowerment specialist in training and education, an finance, operations management, and retail management.” Women of South Africa Award for business innovation in
international coach, and specialises in training young The courses are designed to be user-friendly and include a training and education, the International Commonwealth
and old to reach their full potential. variety of formats, such as reading materials, video content, Award for Business Excellence and Women’s Leadership
and interactive exercises. Upon completion, certificates for making impact in SA with learning and development.
Although a qualified behaviour expert (bachelor’s in “These accolades aren’t just about recognition,” she says.
social sciences and psychology from UNISA), Madeleine are sent directly to the participants’ email. These courses “They affirm that the work we’re doing is making an impact
studied further in many fields like human resources, can be accredited with portfolio of experience and be in communities and they open doors for further funding
communication, transformational leadership, sales, transformed up to NQF level 6. and expansion.” Madeleine is now nominated as finalist
marketing, business management, and public relations. What makes her training different is the blend of online in Supreme Industry: Women Empowerment award. She
With her expertise, she steers Skills4Africa to provide a training combined with Madeleine’s personal individual entered the ‘Next Billionaire Show’ competition and is
unique learning experience, both online and personally, sessions and coaching, including workshops, conferences, nominated as one of three finalists. “I believe this business
to positively impact the youth and lives of others with and team building to steer young individuals’ career paths. can reach that status because of its ability to transform
training projects like “Sikhona”, “Youth in Communities” lives,” she declares. The company is also preparing to
and “Passport To Work”. Shaping the Future
franchise, aiming to expand its reach.
Polishing Diamonds The road to success has not been without its challenges. Madeleine’s journey is a testament to lifelong learning
Moving to the South Coast during the Covid-19 pandemic
With Skills4Africa, Madeleine inspires individuals, CEOs, marked the realisation of a childhood dream but came and self-improvement. “I’m always studying, always
executives, and teams to break through barriers to ignite with its own struggles. “When I first moved to the South adding to my skill set,” she says. “That’s what allows me
purpose in life! With her vision to create job opportunities, Coast, the community wasn’t exactly welcoming,” she to help others. When I help people build their skills, their
stimulate the economy and marry skills with portfolio recalls. “People told me to go back to Pretoria, that there success becomes my privilege and purpose.”
of evidence of practical work experience, she polishes was no place for me here.” But with a philosophy of
the diamonds of South Africa in two other ventures of “Never Give Up!” she lived her own mantra. To young women, Madeleine’s advice is: “Always believe
Skills4Africa, namely, The Gentlemen’s Club Finishing in your dream and never give up. Keep on learning and
School and Princesses to Queens Finishing School. Her initial efforts in the South Coast focused on community be authentically yourself. Don’t try to live someone
outreach. Madeleine explains, “People were struggling; else’s dream; let your dream shape who you become so
Madeleine is a mental and holistic wellness coach there was no work, finances, education, or hope for the you can be the person who achieves it.”
and strives to guide students as part of a personalised future.” This experience drove her to reach out to her
curriculum. With Skills4Africa the powerful combination skills partners in Pretoria and push for the development Despite her schedule, Madeleine remains committed
of education and her founded 24K (purest form of a to finding balance. “This year has been extremely busy,
diamond) mentorship programme, she teaches people of virtual training options. The result was a training and I haven’t had much time for myself,” she admits.
to be successful in all areas of life. Her positive energy card initiative valued at R4 million, designed for easy “But I plan to change that. I love the beach, reading, and
flows over to the older generation helping successful access to online courses. “You pick it up like you would walking in nature. I’m going to take time for exercise and
leaders to leave a legacy. As an international coach in buy airtime, scan it, and register for the courses online,” even join some of the retreats I offer.”
peak performance, business, leadership, transformation, Madeleine says proudly. “We made it possible for people
and cultural development, she is a trailblazer for many. to access all those courses for just R150.” The initiative’s As Madeleine continues to push the boundaries of
success extended beyond South Africa, with thousands what Skills4Africa can achieve, she remains focused.
Madeleine founded Skills4Africa to bring hope to young of people benefiting from the affordable training. It Changing lives, one person, one skill at a time, will always
people in KZN, especially the South Coast. “Many feel that also expanded into learnerships and apprenticeships, be her dream.

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