Welcome to "NextGen Insider"

Dear esteemed readers,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to "NextGen Insider", a newsletter series that is dedicated to inspiring and empowering young people to realize their full potential. My name is Sifiso Cyprian Shezi, and I am thrilled to be your guide on this journey towards personal #growth and #development.?

As someone who has experienced the ups and downs of life, I understand the importance of continuous self-improvement. I believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to achieve their dreams and lead a fulfilling life, and my goal is to help make that a reality.

Every morning as I open the door, I'm greeted by the beauty of the world around me - from the stunning natural scenery to the wonderful people I encounter every day. After decades of experiencing this beauty, I've found myself compelled to put pen to paper and write. It's as if a fire has been ignited inside of me, and now I can't help but write and write and write. I'm excited to see where this newfound passion takes me and can't wait to share my words with the world. Sometimes, all it takes is a small spark to set off a creative explosion, and I'm grateful to have found mine.

As I sit down to write, I am reminded of the phrase "Dream in Colour". It's a reminder to see the world not just in black and white, but in vibrant shades of blue, green, and gold. It's a reminder to let my imagination run wild, to explore new horizons, and to never stop dreaming. For too long, I've kept my dreams locked away, afraid to let them see the light of day. But now, with each stroke of my pen, I am painting a vivid picture of my aspirations and bringing them to life. So, here's to dreaming in colour, to daring to be different, and to living a life full of beauty, wonder, and magic.?

In this newsletter, you can expect to find tips, resources, and personal stories that will help you develop the skills and mindset needed to succeed. From time management to career development to self-care, we'll cover a wide range of topics that will help you become the best version of yourself.

I am excited to embark on this journey with you and can't wait to see the incredible things you will achieve. So, let's get started and make the next generation the best it can be!

#NextGenerationYouDeserveTheBest? #EngagementMatters #TogetherWeThrive"

Sifiso Cyprian Shezi also known as "The Maintenance Guy"

Who am I?

Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to create, to build something new and innovative that would change the world. However, after leaving school following Grade 10 in 1990, I faced several challenges in my life that made it difficult to pursue that dream. Despite the setbacks, I never lost hope that someday I would be able to further my studies and make my mark on the world.

To make ends meet, I started working in building construction, and for the next three decades, I poured my heart and soul into my job. Although it was a far cry from my dream of innovation and creation, I knew that I had to work hard to provide for my family.

But deep down, I never forgot about my passion for ingenuity. Whenever I had a free moment, I would read about the latest advancements in technology and immerse myself in the world of words.

In 2018, I finally got my big break when I was hired as a Facilities Assistant at Derivco . Even though it wasn't a role in tech innovation, I was excited to finally have a foot in the door of the industry. From day one, I worked tirelessly to build my skills and knowledge in the field of creativity and innovation. I spent countless hours after work and on weekends taking online courses on LinkedIn Learning, earning badges on Pluralsight , and attending training programs to hone my craft.

My hard work paid off when I was selected to attend a prestigious program in the art of ingenuity, where I was one of over 5000 participants from across the globe. And recently, I was given the opportunity to participate in a renowned scholarship program (Google Africa Developer Scholarship), where I represented my country among more than 35,000 of Africa's brightest minds.

Today, I am on the cusp of achieving my dream of becoming a master of ingenuity. Looking back, I know that the road to get here wasn't easy, but I'm grateful for every #challenge and #setback along the way. They helped me develop the #resilience and #determination that I needed to succeed. I hope that my story will inspire young people to never give up on their dreams, no matter how big or daunting they may seem.

#NextGenInsiderNewsletterSeries?