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Njabulo Vincent Mthembu is a 26-year-old from Katlehong, Johannesburg, who works on the assembly line at LESCO Manufacturing, assembling electrical components such as shutters and packaging. Mthembu's journey has been defined by resilience, personal growth, and a determination to rise above adversity.

Njabulo Vincent Mthembu overcoming adversity and growing at LESCO

In 2003, he relocated to Alexandra (Alex) to stay with his grandmother after his mother became sick and has had to navigate complex family dynamics ever since. “Life in Alex is tough, but we make ends meet," Mthembu reflects. Despite the hardships, he has maintained a strong responsibility for his family.

When he was a child, Mthembu was struck by a car while walking to Sandton City. The accident left him with limited mobility in his left leg and arm and a shaky right hand. Reflecting on the impact of the accident, he says, "I didn't realise the extent of my disability until later in life. It has affected my physical abilities, but I've learned to work around it."

Despite these physical challenges, Mthembu remains ambitious and plans to master all workstations at LESCO and achieve 100% efficiency within two years. "I'm working hard to learn everything," he says. "My goal is to be fully efficient at every station."

Before joining LESCO, Mthembu worked as a cleaner and assistant in various roles. His path to LESCO began when he was recruited by Afrika Tikkun, a non-profit organisation that supports young people with employment opportunities. Mthembu joined LESCO in February 2024 – a turning point in his life.

At first, he approached the job with a mindset focused solely on earning money, not fully engaging with his tasks. "During the first month, I used to work just for the money and not mind anything happening," he admits.

However, as time went on, Mthembu's attitude began to shift. "As I was busy working, I developed a love for my work, especially the tasks I was assigned, like the shutters, which, at first, I couldn't do. Now I can do them quickly," he explains. "Before this job, I wasn't a confident person. I had low trust in myself and low self-esteem," he says. Mthembu's newfound dedication shows as he continues to take on more responsibility at LESCO.

Mthembu's journey at LESCO has been transformative. With his colleagues’ and supervisors' support and his growing confidence, he has become more focused on his personal and professional development, proving that disability is not inability.

His hobbies include listening to music, particularly Tupac and Eminem.