Melita Mofokeng was only 15 years old when she lost both her parents; she became the support system for her little sister but thankfully, was supported both emotionally and financially, and today works for the very company that helped her.
South Africa (14 August 2023) – At the age of 15, Melita Mofokeng’s life changed dramatically when she lost both her parents. She was the oldest of two and immediately became a mother, sister, and father figure to her baby sister. She was left to figure out how to cover school fees and all the related costs when a company stepped in to offer the stability and support she so desperately needed at such a young age.
Fedgroup has an exceptional service that caters to managing the funds left behind for children that have lost their parents. This service was what had placed Melita and her sister back on their feet all those years ago. She was once again embraced by Fedgroup recently, having earned herself a position in their Iteke Learnership Programme.
Today, she is a Service Delivery administrator at Fedgroup. She’s a testament to the transformative power of support during times of vulnerability and aims to pay it forward.
General Manager of the Care Division at Fedgroup, Jeanetta Hendricks highlights just how exceptional Beneficiary Care is as a service because it was designed to protect and manage the funds of children who lose their parents, going beyond a mere service and actually making a difference. The staff that work there show genuine care for children in distress, they are all caregivers, parents or former beneficiaries, adding a very real human element. The team is versed in 11 of the official languages so a child can be assisted in their home language – a huge comfort in times of distress. Fedgroup also provides general counselling and trauma counselling as needed and go beyond by working with guardians to help with child and family issues, addiction, organisational and academic issues, and offer financial and legal guidance.
It was these aspects that put Melita at ease in 2010 and helped her better deal with the shock of losing her parents. Now she is working towards paying it forward. Being accepted into the Iteke Learnership Programme, a programme exclusively provided to Beneficiary Care recipients, after matric was another life-changing moment for her. The learnership provided her with valuable work experience and a qualification to achieve more.
Melita is now a fully-fledged adult, working in a job she loves and is able to be the support her sister needs. She feels that she now has the power to help others and she will! Melita, like many of the beneficiaries, will continue the cycle of kindness, support and care bestowed upon her.
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