From humble beginnings to success

How Godfrey Pandeka beat poverty

For Godfrey Pandeka from Nghezimani in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality in Limpopo to be elected the chairperson of the Marketing and Communication Forum in Limpopo TVET Colleges is no small feat.

It is a giant quantum leap for a young man who grew up in poverty, the intense type that dehumanises.

Pandeka will serve a three year term in that position.

“We work as a team advocating for artisanship and entrepreneurship and also to seek for solutions for the economy. I hope to lead this forum with dedication,” said Pandeka who calls himself a communications goat.

Pandeka works as a marketing and communications practitioner at the Department of Higher Education (Limpopo TVET Collage) and volunteers as Limpopo Chairperson of Career Exhibitions at Career exhibition and Information Association (CEIA).

The 33 media and communications graduate from the University of Limpopo is also a founder of Godfrey Pandeka Foundation that assists learners with uniforms and sanitary pads.

He uses his spare time and date to search for job opportunities and shares them on social media creating easy access or the unemployed people.

He started an educational foundation last year, taking a portion from his salary and raises funds through revamping CVs and covering letters to buy uniforms and sanitary pads for destitute learners.

He also assists unemployed youth.

For those working he asks them to pay R100 that assist unemployed graduates with copies, fast mail and transport money to go for interviews.

“I help others because I know how it is like to have no job. After completing my degree, I spent two years without a job and an income,” he said.

“My mom was also not working and we survived on her selling traditional beer. She supported me and my four siblings, and I was hoping that once I secured a job I would also look after her, and this has happened, “he said.

This has driven him to want to make a difference in the lives of others.

“I am a product of donations and as a result I must plough back to the community, “he said.

He is a former journalist with community radio station MalaFM and DEaily6 Sun newspaper.