We champion transformationDiversity Empowerment, through the guidance of the codes of good practice, encourages and inspires business to proactively and altruistically adopt and champion transformation strategies aimed at delivering sustainable Youth and Skills Development Projects.
LeadershipLooking at our own business, we have embedded diversity into our core purpose and our ways of working. We founded this business on the belief that there are many marginalised people from disadvantaged backgrounds who have much to contribute. But this starts with leveling the playing field and acknowledging they did not start the race on the same footing as their more privileged counterparts.
To combat youth unemployment, it is necessary to use mechanisms such as learnerships and employment equity to include the excluded in the economic mainstream. As we have helped our clients to do this and as we have done it in our own business, the lesson is that the perspectives, skills and thinking of previously excluded people drives growth and creates opportunity. Diversity needs to be led from – and exemplified – by the senior management team. They will show how diversity harnesses different skills and approaches to solve problems. This type of leadership brings out the best in employees. It empowers employees to share their ideas, to be confident in who they are, and to work with their colleagues to bring out the best in everyone. To remain relevant in today’s fast changing world, organisations must be agile, innovative, resilient and tolerant of nuance and contradictory ideas. These factors are linked with diversity in leadership, thinking and demographics – and are closely linked to organisational performance. Embracing differences creates a place where all can thrive and perform to their full potential. 
Athabile Jojo is the Chief Executive of Diversity Empowerment
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