Welcome to Wonder Woman Wednesday! Every Wednesday we feature women who are using their business or work as a force for good. The intention behind this blog is to raise awareness on the impact of doing good and to inspire others to think of ways in which they too can use their business or work as a force for good. By doing this we hope we will be creating a better community one business at a time and leaving this world a little bit better than we found it for future generations.

Tell us about your organisation and how you use your work as a force for good?

I am the Founder of Immployment Connect. A non-for-profit- mentoring program that connects African and Caribbean youth aged 18 – 26 years old to mentors mostly in corporate organisations as well as those perusing non-conventional career paths for Africans. I use my work to help African youth get guidance on how to navigate their way within the corporate world, giving them information on how to break into the corporate industry and the opportunities available to them.

What led you to using your work as a force for good?

After starting a corporate role I was immediately confronted by the under-representation of black people in particular black women in the finance and accounting industry in Australia. I understand there are a range of factors that contribute to migrants struggling to secure corporate roles in particular black Africans. Therefore, I felt the need to play a role in addressing this issue by trying to look for a way to contribute to a solution. Immployment Connect was born out of this need and works to bridge this gap by connecting African professionals with African students and youth on a mentorship basis at no cost.

What inspires you to make a difference in the lives of others?

The people who have helped me get to where I am. I don’t think it’s by coincidence that I am where I am today therefore I use whatever I have to give back to the community by giving others the opportunities that were given to me and those that I wished for. My mother and grandmother also inspire me, growing up I witnessed my mother put so many of her relatives through schools in the hope of giving them a better life. Seeing how that has changed people’s lives in a positive manner showed me the importance of education. 

What is one act that anyone can do today to make this world a better place?

Even though it’s hard to dream beyond what you can see, I encourage you to still do so because that’s how change comes about. I also believe in constantly reminding yourself about where you come from, the progress you have made and how much you have grown. This will push you to help others who may be struggling in their journey.

Find out more about Zandile and the work she does here

The Power of Hope