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By Jennifer Tallack,
Executive Director
Dependable Strengths Foundation, Johannesburg
 In
South Africa, Dependable Strengths Articulation (DSA) training
is offered in three modules: Discovery, Job Magnet, and Partnership
of Excellence. There is also a one-day course for educators
as well as DSA Facilitator Training. Since 2001, seventy facilitators
have been trained, 36 educators have taken the educator’s
course, nearly 200 participants have taken the discovery course,
and nearly 1200 participants have taken the Job Magnet course.
Here are some of the stories out of Africa.
 Salmina
and Paulette are sisters who attended a DS Job Magnet course
in Alexandra (a township near Johannesburg). Salmina did not
immediately apply for work. After a few months, she submitted
her strengths report and CV (curriculum
vitae, resume) to a bank. She was employed in a temporary
position. Soon after, she was hired as a permanent staff member.
She says, “The Job Magnet course helped immensely in
securing a full-time position.”
Slamina’s sister Paulette submitted her report and
CV to Cash Converters, South Africa’s largest retail
outlet for second-hand goods. The interviewer was very impressed
with Paulette’s interview skills, as learned from DSA.
She is now a full-time buyer and sales person with the company.
After completing the Job Magnet course, Clifford went on
to do Facilitator Training. He networked his report, which
was passed on to a manager at Woolworths. As a result, Clifford
has gained part-time employment on a permanent basis. He has
already had two promotions!
Tshepiso was formerly dependent on drugs and alcohol. He
is now clean and completing intensive IT (information technology)
engineering. He intends to travel overseas to work.
Emmanuel, a former drifter, is now working at Johannesburg
International Airport and has set some personal goals. He
has opened his first bank account, and
has given the book to someone else to keep — so that
he is not tempted to waste the money!
After completing a DS workshop, Penny approached Umsobomvu,
a government skills development and employment agency, and
was awarded funding for further education in entrepreneurship.
She now runs her own successful design and sew business. (“Umsobomvu”
is Zulu for “rising dawn,” and symbolises the
rising of new opportunities for young South Africans.)
Thandi completed a DS workshop with emphasis on small business
development. In two months she registered her own projects
company and has received and expedited her first order.
What are people in South Africa saying about DSA?
“Long live Dependable Strengths. Long live! South
Africa needs this training.”
“I think this course should be offered to SME’s.
Amandla! Awethu!”*
“Keep the fire burning for a better life for all.”
* “Amandla!
Awethu!” is Zulu for “Power! To the People!”
— a familiar call and response in South Africa. SME
stands for “Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.”
For information on South Africa,
click
here.
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