Breaking Chains, Building Futures: Transformative Skills Development 

Igsaan Hugo is founder of Seriti Skills Training and Development Non-Profit Organisation. He hails from Mitchell’s Plain in the Cape Flats; a region riddled with gangsters and drugs, where there seemed to be no hope for any boy child. Despite all the odds, Igsaan Hugo persevered until he became a qualified Plumber, Facilitator, Assessor, and Moderator. He is currently in the final year of his BCom degree in Project Management. Hugo is passionate about transforming vulnerable lives on the ground, particularly women who are trapped in abusive relationships. Currently, he works as an Export Project Business Development Advisor in the African water and technology manufacturing industry.

Can you provide an overview of Seriti Skills Development and its mission in empowering women? 

Seriti Skills Development NPO was initiated to create an avenue for women who are stuck in abusive relationships and who are dependent on the financial support of their abusive spouse/partner. Seriti NPO annually hosts multiple programs, including Introduction to Basic Plumbing and Entrepreneurial Ignition, as well as Women Empowerment Programmes. 

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in operating Seriti Skills Development NPO?

Job security is a major challenge. I am not a believer in handouts but rather in upskilling individuals.    There’s the issue of GBV that takes place, and convincing our women that they deserve better is far tougher than one can imagine. Years of abuse have almost brainwashed them into believing they are worthless.

NPOs need money to operate. We live in a society that wants to feed people, then take a picture as they are handing someone a loaf of bread. I prefer to teach a woman or man to fish rather than wait for handouts. For now, we will continue to operate as we are currently, as I personally fund the workshops. Until a sponsor comes along, we could roll this out nationally”

Hugo also elucidated that Seriti has been operating for more than 6 years and registered the NPO in 2023. He further laments that donors are somewhat hesitant to donate to new NPOs, even though they can see the work being done.  Additionally, Hugo says, “donors want to give money towards hygiene packs and food parcels and not Skills Development.

Hugo is currently mentoring a lady from Cape Agulhas who is on the verge of realising her passion and dream. Additionally, there is a lady in the Eastern Cape who is running a successful hair salon. Two of his ex-students are employed in the Municipality.

Please contact Seriti Skills Development and pledge your support to enable them to provide skills development to women who are in abusive and toxic environments  seritiskillsdevelopment@gmail.com