From YeBoneer to YeBo Academy Manager
How Sihle Ma-Awu’s YearBeyond Journey Came Full Circle
When Sihle Ma-Awu joined YearBeyond in 2018 as a YeBoneer, he was searching for direction and a stronger sense of purpose. Having recently left a retail job that left him feeling unfulfilled, he wanted an opportunity that would allow him to grow, dream bigger, and believe in his future again. Today, Sihle is the Academy Manager for the YearBeyond Programme, a husband, father of three, and a graduate with a BA in Community Development. Looking back on his journey from YeBoneer to leading the YeBo Academy, he says he never imagined he would one day hold such a significant role within the programme.
How did your journey from YeBoneer to intern begin, and what did those early experiences teach you about yourself?
It all happened very quickly. I shared with my mentor that, because of my responsibilities, finding stable work after my YeBo year, was a priority for me. They referred me to an intern role that had been advertised by the YeBo office. I got invited for an interview, and it was a terrifying experience because I had never been in that kind of setting before. However, the training we had received through the programme really helped me. It gave me the confidence to express myself and approach the opportunity with an open mind. I was successful and got the role.
Being an intern in the YearBeyond space teaches you to stay flexible and never limit yourself, because every moment is an interview. Even though I am naturally reserved, I learnt that I need to step outside my comfort zone, to put myself out there and to have faith in myself and my abilities.
You completed your degree while building your career at YeBo. What kept you focused and motivated during that period of growth?
I was kept focused by the fact that I am a father and an older brother to my two younger sisters who were looking up to me. Having had to previously drop out, I always longed to go back and get a qualification, proving to myself and my family that I can accomplish such a huge milestone. And I did! It was also about about showing myself and those around me that it is possible to keep going, to reach those goals especially after setbacks.
Looking back on your journey so far, what has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome as a young professional?
Imposter syndrome. Many times, I had ideas and perspectives that I wanted to share with the team, but I struggled to find my voice. Coming from the township, and being a young person myself, meant that I could bring valuable insight into shaping the programme. Yet I often questioned whether I was worthy enough to speak up, and whether my ideas truly mattered. At times, I even felt like I did not belong in those spaces. As I began to experience a sense of psychological safety within the environment, I grew more confident in expressing myself and using my voice to represent young people from backgrounds similar to mine.
What are some of the big challenges young people are facing today?
One of the biggest challenges facing young people is access to opportunities that can help them improve their lives and support their families. The growing prevalence of mental health challenges among youth has also become a major barrier, often affecting their ability to fully show up.
What does it mean to now lead the Academy, training alumni to become mentors for the programme?
It is a huge responsibility, and one I do not take for granted. While there are technical skills and content that we train our alumni in, what makes the work so powerful is that they were once YeBoneers themselves. They understand the journey, the challenges, and the impact the programme can have on a young person’s life because they have lived it themselves. Now, they are in a position to mentor and support the next generation of YeBoneers.
A big part of the work is helping them better understand their communities, identify the unique needs within those spaces, and find ways to use the resources available to serve young people effectively. At the heart of it all is helping them recognise the role they can play in rebuilding lost confidence, showing young people that it is possible to dream again and become ambitious about their futures.
A final word of advice to young people....
I would share three things. When presented with an opportunity, show up 100% for it, because you never know where it may lead. Always be gentle with yourself and understand that we are all on our own unique journeys. Lastly, do not compare your journey to someone else’s or allow societal pressures to define your path.