For ten years, Masello Khofu lived in the space between qualification and opportunity. She held a Diploma in Internal Audit and a certification in Financial Management, yet stable employment remained out of reach. Her household survived on an R800 monthly social grant, requiring careful planning for every school fee, grocery, and household need. As a mother of three, including her late brother’s child, the responsibility was constant.
“For 10 years, I was caught in a cycle of poverty and unemployment, despite holding a Diploma in Internal Audit and a certification in Financial Management. The professional opportunities I sought remained out of reach. While I often struggled to meet costs, I never lost my desire for a better future.”
Her breakthrough came through the Social Employment Fund (SEF) programme implemented by Avo Vision's Green Business Value Chain (GBVC). While the stipend provided immediate relief, it was the professional exposure and coaching that truly shaped her trajectory.
“While the R1,500 stipend provided immediate relief, the true value of the programme was the professional exposure it offered. I treated my time in the field as an incubation period for my own growth.”
Through mentorship, technical training, and business simulations, Masello began to see opportunities beyond employment.
“Through the programme, I gained a deep understanding of the agriculture industry, specifically in environmental sustainability and charcoal production. The business coaching, mentorship, Team business, and Charcoal simulation training helped me see the commercial potential in what I was learning. I also used my SEF income strategically, saving what I could to invest in my own future enterprise.”
In 2024, she launched Green Pulse Horizon, her charcoal production business. Within a short time, she employed ten people from her community.
“While the business is still in its early stages, I have already employed ten people from my community, ten individuals who, like me, were struggling to find work and provide for their families. Each salary paid means another household can afford school fees, groceries, and dignity.”
Transitioning from grant recipient to employer reshaped her identity and ambitions.
“My goal now is to scale these operations. I am focused on expanding to new locations, becoming a reliable supplier to large-scale companies, and securing the storage facilities necessary for growth.”
Masello’s story reflects how targeted support and enterprise training can transform individual lives into community impact.
