Phathutshedzo Ramabulana, a 39-year-old businessman and philanthropist, has been quietly making a difference in the Vhembe District.

Having grown up in a rural village where many young people faced unemployment, Ramabulana witnessed the harsh realities of poverty. Despite his success, he has not forgotten his roots and has made it his mission to give back to his community.

He is the owner of Four Ways College, a school he established to provide education and skills training to those in need. Over the years, Ramabulana has offered more than 100 free security and computer courses to young men and women across the Vhembe District, giving them the chance to find employment and transform their lives. “I just want to help them get a start,” says Ramabulana. “I know what it’s like to feel stuck with no hope.”

Despite his efforts, he remains humble, insisting that he is not a hero. “I’m not doing anything special,” he says. “I just want to see people get out of the poverty cycle. There are so many people struggling, and if we all do a little bit, we can make a big difference.”

Ramabulana’s inspiration stems from his childhood experiences, where he saw many of his friends drop out of school because of financial constraints. Recognising the difficulties of finding work without an education or skills, he decided to provide free courses. “When I see these young people completing their training and getting jobs, it makes me happy,” he said. “I want them to have opportunities that I didn’t have while growing up.”