She’s making things better for young people

The owner and founder of the Mayine foundation, Nomveliso Mbanga, is changing the lives of preteens, teens and young adults by coaching human development and personal growth, focusing on their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

For the past seven years Mayine, a non-profit organisation, has been dedicated to shaping teenagers’ lives so they become responsible citizens.

Mbanga worked for the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation for five years, gaining experience in personal and business development.

She then started her own company to teach young people how to excel in all areas of their lives, and to educate parents so they were equipped to help their children.

With more than 28 years’ experience in youth development, Mbanga’s passion to uplift the younger generation is still growing.

Mbanga has worked with young people in countries such as Botswana, Uganda and Namibia and she has a proven track record of changing lives.

The organisation hosts innovative programmes and strategic partnerships such as one on teen retreats, young adults and teen coaching programmes, and corporate workshops.

Some parents find it hard to groom and discipline their children, and corporate workshops help do this by focusing on different parenting styles, emotional intelligence, and parenting preteens, teenagers and young adults.

There are weekend camps separately for boys and girls, where the teenagers are educated about emotions and mental health.

One-on-one meetings are done monthly or at a parent’s requests if urgent.

Mayine has branches in East London, Johannesburg, Cape Town and the Northern Cape.

“We need to pay attention to our teenagers’ emotions,” Mbanga said.

“Teens face many challenges in this era.

“They are exposed to the outside world, where some of them will be pressured to experience certain activities because they feel left out or they are not cool enough.

“Our aim is to prevent teenagers from self-destructive activities such as alcohol and drug abuse.”

Sesesthu Gqomo has nominated Nomveliso Mbanga for her instrumental role in facilitating young teens holistically and infusing an African approach, something not often practised enough in modern society.

She is passionate about youth development.

Mbanga said: “Growing up in the Transkei at the height of apartheid, I was introduced to development work by my father at the age of 10, when I was able to work directly with families in my community.

“I then perfected my skills through working with young people in regular organisations, communities and corporates.”

Gqomo said: “I would describe her as a true mbokodo, strong and resilient yet not afraid to express her emotions.

“She also does not want to be seen, but the work she does has such a great impact and is not celebrated enough.

“She has brought immense change to the lives of young men in the approach she takes in coaching the tricky stages of their development and life.

“Her main focus is in teenagers’ personal development and life.

“Her guidance in a child’s emotional and mental state comes while there is still a chance to do so, before habits have totally sunk in.

“Children go through a lot growing up.

“Most of them are more influenced by society than families.

“If we wait too long to review their mindset, their view of the world and their view of themselves is different; we might wake up when it is too late or too hard to change that around.”

Boniswa Tshitsha, a parent, said Mbanga’s programme was amazing.

“I can vouch for her excellent work. I would really advise anyone with kids, especially boys, to sign up with her.”

There will be a teen boys’ retreat from June 30 to July 2.

The camp will focus on academic performance, goal-setting, sex and relationships, responsibilities and emotional intelligence.

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