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FRIDAY MOTIVATION – ALUMNI & STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

FRIDAY MOTIVATION – ALUMNI & STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Port Elizabeth TVET College proudly highlights the journey of one of its students, Mr Vuyile Mbusi, an NCV Level 2 Tourism student at Russell Road Campus, who is also an active pageant winner.

 

Mr Vuyile Mbusi is a 22-year-old resident of New Brighton in Gqeberha. He is described as a driven and passionate individual with a strong interest in modelling. His hobbies include listening to music, dancing, and participating in sports.

 

He began his modelling career with Refine & Render Agent and Modelling, motivated by a desire to use his voice to inspire and uplift others, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment and mental health awareness.

Mr Mbusi was recently crowned 1st Runner-up and has been selected to represent South Africa at the Mister Heritage International competition in the Philippines, 19 – 26 May 2026. This marks his first opportunity to represent the country on an international stage, an achievement he regards with great honour and gratitude.

He chose to enrol at the College as part of his commitment to improving his life after experiencing previous setbacks. He believes that his Tourism course aligns with his passion for connecting people and cultures. Although he encountered challenges with academic processes and funding, he has overcome them.

Mr Mbusi has encouraged the public to support him by voting for him in the Mister Heritage International competition and by following his social media platforms, including his Facebook page (Vuyile Khaya Mbusi) and Instagram account (Vuyile Mbusi).

He encourages fellow and prospective students to believe in themselves and to embrace every opportunity that comes their way, emphasising that self-belief is key to success.

Port Elizabeth TVET College thanks Mr Mbusi for sharing his experience and wishes him continued success in his future endeavours.

 

 

 

Port Elizabeth TVET College proudly highlights the inspiring journey of one of its previous students, Nomzamo Steven, the founder of Zamo Legacy Enterprises (Pty) Ltd, Zamo Rising Stars International Academy, and Mzansi Bread Bakery.

Nomzamo Steven is an entrepreneur based in Gqeberha, South Africa. She is the founder of Zamo Legacy Enterprises (Pty) Ltd, Zamo Rising Stars International Academy, and Mzansi Bread Bakery.
She studied NCV Level Hospitality at Port Elizabeth TVET College, Russell Road Campus. Although she was unable to complete her studies due to financial constraints, her time at the College played a significant role in shaping her career path.
Her experience at the College was valuable and insightful, providing her with a strong foundation in hospitality and exposure to the industry. She was motivated to pursue this field due to her passion for service, working with people, and creating meaningful experiences.
During her studies, she developed essential skills such as discipline, customer service, communication, teamwork and professionalism, all of which continue to guide her in her career. She also credits several lecturers for their encouragement and for helping her believe in her potential.
Despite facing financial challenges that prevented her from completing her qualification, she remained determined and continued to learn through practical work experience and industry exposure.
After leaving the College, she entered the hospitality industry and worked as a waitress, where she gained valuable hands-on experience and built her confidence. She further enhanced her skills through practical training opportunities, including international experience in Germany, which contributed significantly to her professional growth.
Nomzamo Steven currently manages multiple initiatives, including Mzansi Bread Bakery and Zamo Rising Stars International Academy. Through these platforms, she focuses on empowering young people with hospitality skills, service excellence and confidence.
Her entrepreneurial journey was inspired by her own experiences and the challenges she observed among young people who lack access to opportunities. This motivated her to create initiatives that support and uplift others.
Although she did not complete her studies, her time at the College provided a solid foundation and industry exposure that helped shape her entrepreneurial journey.
She is also the author of Service to Success – Waitron Training Manual for South African Youth, a resource aimed at equipping young people with practical knowledge, confidence and skills required in the hospitality sector.
In addition, she runs Mzansi Bread Bakery and, in 2025, she achieved 5th place in the Standard Bank Entrepreneurship Competition, a notable recognition of her business efforts.
In her view, TVET Colleges play a critical role in South Africa by offering practical, hands-on training that prepares students for real workplace environments and contributes significantly to skills development.
Her advice to current students is to start where they are, use the resources available to them, and remain committed to continuous learning. She emphasises that success does not require a perfect journey, but rather resilience, consistency and self-belief.
Nomzamo Steven’s journey demonstrates that determination and perseverance can lead to meaningful success. Despite facing challenges, she has built impactful initiatives that not only support her own growth but also create opportunities for others. Her story serves as an inspiration to students and aspiring entrepreneurs across South Africa.

 

 

 

Port Elizabeth TVET College proudly highlights the inspiring journey of one of its alumni, Buhle-Bemvelo Mbontsi, a passionate entrepreneur and founder of the food business EatWithMe.

 

Buhle-Bemvelo Mbontsi is originally from Lady Frere, Tshatshu Village. She grew up in Uitenhage and is currently based in Mthatha. She completed a Diploma in Hospitality and Catering in 2019 at Port Elizabeth TVET College, Russell Road Campus.

 

During her time at the college, she gained valuable knowledge, practical skills, and discipline that later helped shape her career and entrepreneurial journey. Her passion for food and creating meals that bring people together inspired her to pursue studies in the hospitality field.

 

While studying, she developed important skills such as time management, teamwork, creativity, consistency, and professionalism, all of which are essential in the food industry. Supportive lecturers also played an important role in her journey by encouraging students to believe in their abilities and work hard towards their goals.

 

Like many students, she experienced challenges during her studies. However, she remained focused and determined, reminding herself of her goals and working hard to achieve them. After completing her studies, Buhle-Bemvelo continued to develop her culinary skills and explore opportunities in the food industry. Her passion for cooking eventually led her to start her own business called EatWithMe, where she prepares homemade meals and food products such as sauces and other delicious items for her customers. Starting the business came with challenges, including limited resources, building a customer base, and marketing her products. Through dedication, hard work, and consistent promotion of her brand, she has continued to grow and improve her business.

 

According to Buhle-Bemvelo, studying at a TVET college provides students with practical, career-focused education and hands-on experience, which prepares them for both employment and entrepreneurship.

 

She encourages current students to believe in themselves, remain dedicated, and never stop learning. While starting a business can be challenging, passion, consistency, and perseverance can open many opportunities, such as networking with other entrepreneurs and gaining valuable skills through experience.

 

“If you remain passionate about what you do and stay committed to your goals, success will follow.”

 

By |2026-05-08T09:19:30+02:00March 13th, 2026|Alumni, News|0 Comments