Social Development to recognise and honour community development practitioners in East London
Following successful graduation ceremonies in various provinces, the Department of Social Development will in collaboration with the Health and Welfare Sector Education Training Authority (HWSETA), recognise and honour Community Development Practitioners in a graduation ceremony on Thursday, 26 October, in East London.
Community Development Practitioners play a significant role of improving the lives of poor and vulnerable communities through the provision of adequate services. Most beneficiaries of such services reside in impoverished rural and township communities who depend largely on community development programmes, including, but not limited to community dialogues, counselling, care, and support.
This Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) initiative is part of a partnership between the Department of Social Development and other stakeholders, including the South African Council for Social Service Professionals who are in the process of professionalising Community Development Practice.
Other stakeholders who are part of this the RPL, include the HWSETA, Education Training Development Practice Sector Education Training Authority (ETDPSETA), and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) such as the universities of Western Cape, Free State and Johannesburg. Its primary purpose is to recognise the Community Development Practitioners who passed their Community Development Practice at NQF Level 5 at institutions of higher learning.
Given high levels of unemployment in the country which affects many South Africans, the ceremony would increase graduates’ chances of improving their lives and advance their career development through the acquired certificates. Similar graduation ceremonies already took place for graduates from Mpumalanga, Free State, Northern Cape.
The graduation ceremony is part of Social Development Month (SDM) which is commemorated throughout the month of October, under the theme: “Working Together to Eradicate Poverty and Other Social Ills.”
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the graduation ceremony planned as follows:
Date: Thursday, 26 October 2023
Time: 10h00
Venue: 2 Marine Park Complex, 22 Esplanade Street, East London International Convention Centre in East London, Eastern Cape Province
Virtual: www.dsdtv.org.za
Media can RSVP by contacting:
Jaconia Kobue
Cell: 063 249 5120
E-mail: JaconiaK@dsd.gov.za
Media enquiries:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: lumkao@dsd.gov.za
