Employment
Preparing to enter or return to the workplace.
A LINKHAUS IMPACT PROGRAMME 01 / PHAKAMA
Rise. Rebuild. Move Forward.
Phakama is a women's restoration and economic empowerment programme led by LinkHaus together with programme partners who bring different skills, experience and support to each stage of the journey. The programme supports women through personal restoration, skills development and practical pathways towards greater economic participation.
RESTOREBUILDLAUNCHGROW
SCROLL TO DISCOVER THE JOURNEYRESTORE / BUILD / LAUNCH / GROW
01 / The Why
Moving forward sometimes requires more than one kind of support.
Finding work, starting a business or learning a new skill can be an important part of economic empowerment.
But sometimes there is work that needs to happen before that.
A woman may need space to rebuild confidence, reflect on where she is, work through what has held her back and begin thinking differently about what is possible next.
Phakama brings these pieces together. The programme combines personal restoration, coaching, practical skills, partnerships and access to opportunities in one journey.
02 / The Phakama Journey
Restore. Build.
Launch. Grow.
- 01RESTORE
Start with you.
The first part of the programme focuses on personal restoration, reflection and coaching. Participants are supported to think about where they are now, recognise what may be holding them back and begin developing a clearer picture of where they want to go next.
Delivered with support from Restoration Coaching.
- 02BUILD
Build practical skills.
Once a stronger personal foundation has been created, participants move into skills development. This stage focuses on practical learning that can help each woman prepare for her next economic step.
Womandla Foundation supports the skills-development part of the programme.
- 03LAUNCH
Start moving towards your pathway.
From Week 11, participants begin working towards an economic pathway that is appropriate for their goals, strengths and circumstances. The pathway may lead towards employment, entrepreneurship, freelancing, further learning or another suitable economic opportunity. Not every participant will follow the same route. That is intentional.
- 04GROW
Keep building beyond the programme.
The goal is not simply to complete Phakama. The aim is for each participant to leave with clearer direction, stronger skills, useful connections and practical next steps she can continue building on.
03 / Possibilities
Your next step may look different from someone else's.
Entrepreneurship
Exploring how an idea, skill or service could become a business.
Freelancing
Exploring how skills or services could generate independent income.
Further Learning
Finding training, education or development opportunities that support future goals.
Other Economic Opportunities
A participant's path may not fit neatly into one category. Part of the programme is helping each woman understand what makes sense for her.
04 / Your Place Here
Could Phakama be your next step?
Phakama may be right for a woman who:
- wants to make a positive change in her life
- is willing to learn and participate
- wants support understanding her next steps
- would benefit from coaching and skills development
- is ready to commit time to the programme
- is open to personal growth and reflection
- wants to move towards greater economic participation
You do not need to have everything figured out before you apply. That is part of the journey.
05 / First Cohort
16 women.
One supported journey.
The first Phakama cohort will consist of 16 women. We want the cohort to remain small enough for participants to receive meaningful support while still creating a strong group environment where women can learn, grow and build alongside one another. Because spaces are limited, submitting an application does not automatically guarantee a place. All applications will go through a screening and selection process.
- Applications open
- To be confirmed
- Applications close
- To be confirmed
- Programme starts
- To be confirmed
06 / Built Through Partnership
Built through partnership.
Phakama brings together organisations that contribute different strengths to the programme. No single organisation has to do everything. Each partner brings a different part of the journey.
LinkHaus
Programme Lead & Coordinator
LinkHaus leads the programme, brings the partners together, coordinates delivery and supports the overall participant journey. Our role is to make sure the different parts of the programme work together and that participants are connected to the support, skills and opportunities they need.
Restoration Coaching
Restoration & Coaching Partner
Restoration Coaching supports the personal restoration stage of the programme. This part of the journey creates space for women to reflect, rebuild and begin moving forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Womandla Foundation
Skills Development Partner
Womandla Foundation supports the skills-development stage of Phakama. Their role is to help participants build practical skills that can support their next steps towards economic participation.
She Builds Communities
Community & Recruitment Partner
She Builds Communities supports community reach and helps connect the programme with women who may benefit from the opportunity. Their role helps ensure that Phakama reaches the people it is designed to serve.
Phakama is built on the same belief that guides LinkHaus: the right people, skills and resources can create stronger solutions when they work together. Each partner brings a different part of the journey. Together, we create a more complete support system for participants.
07 / Make an Impact Together
Help us support the next cohort.
Phakama is built through partnership. We are looking to work with organisations, funders, brands and professionals who want to support women through restoration, skills development and access to economic opportunities.
If your organisation would like to sponsor, partner with or support Phakama, we would love to hear from you.
Sponsor Phakama Partner With Phakama
Prefer email? Write to us at thandiwe@linkhaus.co.za with the subject "Phakama Partnership Enquiry".
08 / What Happens Next?
From application to enrolment.
- 1
Complete Your Application
Tell us about yourself, your current situation and why you are interested in Phakama. There are no perfect answers. We want honest answers in your own words.
- 2
We Review Applications
The LinkHaus team and relevant programme reviewers will review applications against the programme's selection criteria.
- 3
We Select the Cohort
A total of 16 women will be selected for the first cohort. Applicants may be shortlisted, accepted, placed on a waiting list, or not selected for the current cohort.
- 4
Sign Your Participant Agreement
If you are accepted, you will receive your participant agreement by email. You will need to read and sign it before your place is confirmed.
- 5
Welcome to Phakama
Once your agreement has been signed, your place in the cohort will be confirmed and you will receive your onboarding information.
Please only apply if you are ready to participate.
If you are selected, LinkHaus and its partners will invest time, resources and support into your journey. We ask you to bring the same commitment.
You do not have to know exactly where you are going yet. But you should be willing to show up, participate, learn and take responsibility for your own growth.
Ready to begin?
You do not need to have your whole future figured out. You just need to be willing to take the next step.
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