Growing up in Thokoza, a South African township in Johannesburg, Tankiso Pakalitha witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by communities with inadequate infrastructure, limited equipment, and scarce employment opportunities.
“There was inadequate infrastructure, limited equipment, and scarce opportunities. This was in an urban area so one can only imagine how much worse the situation in rural areas is,” Tankiso recalls.
“Such a disparity has driven my desire to bridge the gap between rural and urban schools, as well as private and public institutions, particularly in terms of technology education. Despite having many bright learners, rural areas often lack the infrastructure needed to nurture their potential.”
This state of affairs became the motivating factor during Tankiso’s entrepreneurship journey and led to the establishment of Khomanani Bussiness Skills Solutions.
A Passion For IT
Born and raised in Johannesburg, Tankiso completed her primary and high school education in Thokoza.
“Through various learnerships, I pursued studies in IT systems support. My lecturer, during this time, was quite strict but often shared valuable insights during breaks while he assessed our work.
“Curious about his profession, I approached him to learn more about his role, which intrigued my classmates but sparked my interest. Unexpectedly, three months after the learnership concluded, I received a call from the same company where my lecturer worked; they were seeking an intern, and he had recommended me.
“A year later, I became a permanent employee and began learning from the project manager and others in the field,” says Tankiso.
The Birth of Khomanani
The experience that Tankiso gained ignited her passion for skills development. After recognizing a gap in the area, she decided to take action by establishing Khomanani Business Skills Solutions.
“Ours is a skills development company dedicated to empowering organizations through tailored training solutions. We offer a wide range of services, from short soft-skills courses to globally recognized certification programs such as Microsoft, Cisco, and Adobe,” says Tankiso.
“Additionally, we assist training providers with accreditation processes and the preparation of Annual Training Reports (ATR) and Workplace Skills Plans (WSP). Currently, we are based in Johannesburg, Gauteng, where we operate under a hybrid structure to maximize flexibility and reach.
“Through Khomanani, I aim to contribute to closing the digital divide by equipping learners and educators with the tools and skills they need to thrive in today’s technology-driven world,” explains Tankiso.
Achievements
Tankiso is happy with how her business is thriving, especially when she considers the fact that it is just a year old. Looking back gives her a sense of achievement, especially when she considers the significant milestones she has achieved.
“A key factor in our success has been our commitment to listening to our clients and valuing their feedback. By taking their suggestions into account, we can continuously adapt and improve our offerings, which is essential given the nature of the training we provide.
“Since the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) became active in the South African qualifications landscape, we are proud to have successfully assisted over five training companies with their accreditation.
“Navigating this new framework was challenging for many providers who were unsure of where to start. In addition, we have partnered with Women of Dominance, an NPO in Limpopo, for their sanitary pads project.
“Last year, this initiative supported 20 young women with essential supplies, including food parcels, and provided sanitary hygiene packs to more than 50 girls. This year, 22 girls received school shoes donations for a back-to-school project, and over 700 girls were given sanitary pads,” she revealed.
Faith in God
A major challenge that Khomanani has faced is brand recognition. Tankiso admits differentiating themselves in a market where many companies offer similar solutions has been particularly difficult.
They overcame this challenge by approaching the market uniquely, focusing on developing their own distinct voice rather than imitating their competitors. This approach has allowed them to stand out and gain traction.
Whenever things become tough for Tankiso, she has learned to lean on her Christian faith for hope and inspiration.
“My foremost passion is my faith in God, which serves as my life source. Additionally, the project with Women of Dominance holds a special place in my heart. This initiative goes beyond merely distributing sanitary pads.
“It aims to uplift young girls and remind them that they are more than just their physical appearance and that their intellect is equally valuable. We aspire to provide technology by upskilling these girls, but for this vision to succeed, we need sponsors to come on board and support our efforts,” says Tankiso.
‘Stay Open to Change’
Tankiso advises aspiring and fledging entrepreneurs to be ready to embrace change, especially the kind that helps drive their business forward.
“Discover your unique voice, remain focused on your target market and stay open to change. Remember, all great achievements begin with small steps.
“Patience is a vital life skill that has greatly benefited me. In a world where the pressure to succeed often jeopardizes people’s health, I prefer to focus on laying a strong foundation.
“I believe in planting a seed and nurturing it daily, allowing it the time it needs to grow and flourish,” she concludes.
