Zanele Stole
Youth in Business & Entrepreneurship
Nominee's Province:
Gauteng
Age:
34
Project Name/Description:
Founder: Immaculate Cleaning and Hygiene Services
Zanele Stole is the CEO of Immaculate Cleaning and Hygiene Services, which offers commercial cleaning, hygiene, and pest control services. In 2024, she launched two programmes—The Ignite Graduate and The Melokuhle Initiative—both based in Johannesburg. The Ignite Graduate Programme supports youth aged 19–30 with structured training and placements in the facility management and cleaning sectors. “We want to help young people become employable and career-ready,” says Stole. They’ve also partnered with a Special Needs School in KwaZulu-Natal, offering sponsorship and committing to hiring learners after graduation. “This is about inclusive education and creating lifelong learning opportunities for everyone,” she says. The programme was inspired by her own journey. “After matric in 2009, I joined a learnership that opened doors for me in the insurance sector. Someone invested in me, and now I want to do the same for others. Every child deserves a chance.” She adds: “We may not be changing the world just yet, but we’ve seen the impact these programmes have had on those involved—and that matters.”
