A Russian initiative called the Alabuga Start Programme is facing increased scrutiny in South Africa. This comes after several local influencers, including Cyan Boujee, promoted it.
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, radio host Anele Mdoda and her team on 947’s Anele and the Club called the program directly to ask questions. The answers they received raised serious concerns.
During a live call, Anele pointed out multiple issues. She expressed worry that the campaign focuses on young women aged 18 to 22, a group often vulnerable due to high unemployment rates in the country.
“You are targeting the most vulnerable in society,” she said. “It is no secret that women and children face significant challenges here. Economically, women are going through a lot. So, you target 18 to 22-year-olds, some of whom feel they have already failed because they didn’t go to university or barely passed matric. Suddenly, someone offers housing and jobs. We have the highest youth unemployment in the world.”
She also criticized the use of influencers in the campaign, noting that their glamorous lifestyles could be misleading to young audiences.
“You use influencers who portray a life of success. We don’t know how they make their money. But suddenly, a program uses them, and it raises questions because that lifestyle isn’t typical for someone with a regular job,” Anele remarked.
I don’t listen to radio just tell us here
— Lepantsula/Lekompo (@thekelo_Teekay) August 26, 2025
The radio team found it suspicious that promotional videos did not clearly explain what the job involves.
After calling several numbers linked to the program, many calls went unanswered or were disconnected when English was spoken. Eventually, one person responded. He claimed the program offers young women the chance to travel to Russia to gain skills, work in factories, study, and receive free housing. He stated the work environments were safe and that the program could last up to two years.
Listeners also shared their concerns. One caller named Amanda warned about similar recruitment schemes. She shared a story about her cousin who accepted a job offer in Thailand after being promised an upfront payment. When her cousin arrived, she was told her accommodation ticket was invalid and was eventually deported. She was later moved to Myanmar, where working conditions were described as dangerous.
These revelations have heightened suspicions that the Russian program might be a front for trafficking vulnerable young women.
